Postdoctoral Fellow (PREP0004204) - #Faculty

PREP Research Associate This position is part of the National Institute of Standards (NIST) Professional Research Experience (PREP) program. NIST recognizes that its research staff may wish to collaborate with researchers at academic institutions on specific projects of mutual interest, thus requires that such institutions must be the recipient of a PREP award. The PREP program requires staff from a wide range of backgrounds to work on scientific research in many areas. Employees in this position will perform technical work that underpins the scientific research of the collaboration. Research Title: Fiber, composites, and polymer scientist The work will entail: The Materials Measurement Laboratory of the National Institute of Standards and Technology is seeking qualified candidates (U.S. Citizens Preferred) for a fiber, composites, and polymer scientist position to lead metrology development in thermomechanical/thermal analysis, chemical analysis, electron microscopy, and structure-property relationships for complex high strength fibers as well as polymeric and composite materials. This role requires hands‑on ownership of advanced instrumentation, development of robust and reproducible test methods, and translation of results into actionable guidance for materials design, performance evaluation, and reliability. Key responsibilities will include but are not limited to: Design and execute thermomechanical characterization of polymeric/composite systems Develop techniques to fabricate model fiber/composite systems with novel properties Lead thermal, thermomechanical, and chemical/structural characterization of materials Author peer‑reviewed publications and present research to stakeholders Support collaborative programs and deliver stakeholder technical solutions Ph.D. in materials science, polymer science, fiber science, chemical engineering, or a related discipline Expertise in molecular spectroscopy, with experience analyzing single fibers Hands‑on experience with thermal analysis (DSC, DMA/TGA/TMA) Experience working with complex materials (high‑strength fibers, composite armor, or structural composites) Background in polymer viscoelasticity and physics Strong quantitative/data skills (Matlab/Python/Origin) Demonstrated record of technical writing and public speaking Ability to lead projects, mentor students/postdocs, and coordinate collaborations Desirable Qualifications: Experience in long‑term reliability studies Salary: $85,000 - $89,000 Privacy Act Statement Authority: 15 U.S.C. § 278g-1(e)(1) and (e)(3) and 15 U.S.C. § 272(b) and (c) Purpose: The National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST) hosts the Professional Research Experience Program (PREP) ( which is designed to provide valuable laboratory experience and financial assistance to undergraduates, post-bachelor's degree holders, graduate students, master's degree holders, postdocs, and faculty. PREP is a 5-year cooperative agreement between NIST laboratories and participating PREP Universities to establish a collaborative research relationship between NIST and U.S. institutions of higher education in the following disciplines including (but may not be limited to) biochemistry, biological sciences, chemistry, computer science, engineering, electronics, materials science, mathematics, nanoscale science, neutron science, physical science, physics, and statistics. This collection of information is needed to facilitate administrative functions of the PREP Program. Routine Uses: NIST will use the information collected to perform the requisite reviews of the applications to determine eligibility, and to meet programmatic requirements. Disclosure of this information is also subject to all the published routine uses as identified in the Privacy Act System of Records Notices: NIST-1: NIST Associates. Disclosure: Furnishing this information is voluntary. When you submit the form, you are indicating your voluntary consent for NIST to use of the information you submit for the purpose stated. Salary Range The referenced salary range represents the minimum and maximum salaries for this position and is based on Johns Hopkins University's good faith belief at the time of posting. Not all candidates will be eligible for the upper end of the salary range. The actual compensation offered to the selected candidate may vary and will ultimately depend on multiple factors, which may include the successful candidate's geographic location, skills, work experience, internal equity, market conditions, education/training and other factors, as reasonably determined by the University. Total Rewards Johns Hopkins offers a total rewards package that supports our employees' health, life, career and retirement. More information can be found here: Equal Opportunity Employer The Johns Hopkins University is committed to equal opportunity for its faculty, staff, and students. To that end, the university does not discriminate on the basis of sex, gender, marital status, pregnancy, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status or other legally protected characteristics. The university is committed to providing qualified individuals access to all academic and employment programs, benefits and activities on the basis of demonstrated ability, performance and merit without regard to personal factors or demographic characteristics that are irrelevant to the program involved. 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For additional information, applicants for SOM positions should visit and all other JHU applicants should visit The following additional vaccine requirements may apply, depending upon your campus. Please contact the hiring department for more information. Job Type: Full Time #J-18808-Ljbffr Johns Hopkins University