Research Aide Jobs in Silver Spring, MD (NOW HIRING)

Description
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. The Research Engineer Assistant will work within the Materials and Structural Systems Division of the Engineering Laboratory, performing technical, hands-on work to support scientific projects.
Research Title:
Research Engineer Assistant - Materials and Structural Systems Division, Engineering Laboratory, NIST
U.S. Citizen Preferred
The work will entail:
Providing essential technical support to multiple research projects conducted within the Division's laboratories by utilizing advanced apparatuses, under close supervision from senior technician staff and researchers. Contributes technical expertise to the development, evaluation, and refinement of research plans and experimental testing procedures, focused on 3D Concrete printing, tensile testing of structural welds specimens under high temperature (up to 1,000 deg C), testing of concrete specimens with fiber reinforced polymers (FRP), including materials and large-scale structural testing (structural steel specimens and/or 3D printed concrete specimens). Under the supervision of senior technician staff, executes complex experimental tasks, ensuring the successful execution of research projects with a focus on material properties and structural testing.
Key responsibilities will include but are not limited to:

• Supporting senior technician staff to ensure lab equipment is operating optimally, lab spaces are well organized and safe to conduct experimental work. Perform routine maintenance and calibration on lab equipment.
• Supporting senior technician staff in discarding inoperable and obsolete laboratory equipment.
• Supporting senior technician staff by addressing any lab deficiencies identified during workspace laboratory inspections by NIST Office of Safety, Health and Environment (OSHE).

• Collaborating with senior technician staff and researchers to develop effective schedules and plans so that measurements/fabrications are conceived and conducted effectively. This includes in-person meetings, detailed email communications, preparation of power point presentations tailored to be delivered to other groups within the Division and external stakeholders.
• Collecting data and refining specific project designs in a manner consistent with the project's needs and performing data analysis on collected data to ensure adherence to existing standards or for the development of new standards on materials and structural performance.
• Conducting administrative tasks to effectively maintain laboratory operations. This includes in-depth market research to acquire new laboratory tools and equipment, assisting with the development of technical specifications for procurements.
• Identifying and pursuing training opportunities to enhance proficiency in supporting the technical work associated with the Division's projects. This includes actively seeking out professional development programs, technical certifications, workshops, and hands-on training sessions that align with the division's technical objectives.
• Supports senior technician staff in developing comprehensive hazard reviews (HR) and job hazard analysis (JHA) documents to proactively identify, evaluate, and address potential safety risks associated with laboratory activities. This process includes assessing tasks, equipment, and procedures to ensure compliance with safety standards and regulations, while implementing effective controls to mitigate risks.
• Assisting in performing market research for purchases required for the laboratories.
• Collecting and analyzing data as requested by researchers and senior technician staff.
• Helping set-up data acquisition systems and instrumentation on large scale structural testing specimens.
• Using CAD software to design parts and fixtures for different test set-ups.
Qualifications
Not all the qualifications below are required.
• A bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering or Mechanical Engineering.
• Experience in using any of the following software like Python, LabVIEW, AutoCAD, Inventor, and MTS TestSuite for supporting experimental work in the laboratories.
• Ability to safely operate power tools (concrete saws, concrete drilling equipment, hammer drills, portable hand saws etc.), scissor lifts, forklifts, and overhead cranes, as well as maintenance of analytical instruments and systems to support laboratory operations. Training will be provided.
• Be able to work without close supervision in a team environment.
• Experience with basic machine tools (e.g., drill press, band saw, lathe, etc.)
• Additional skills in Microsoft Office applications, such as Excel, PowerPoint, and Word, for data analysis and reporting.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
Application Instructions
Please upload the following with your application:
• CV/Resume
*Please limit C.V to 3 pages only and ONLY include a valid email address for your contact info. Your resume will not be considered if the following information is included on your CV/resume.
• Self portraits
• Phone number
• Home address/Country
• Citizenship status
• Languages spoken
• Sex/Gender
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 the 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. By applying to a CHIPS-funded PREP opportunity, you also acknowledge that participation in the project requires signing a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) prior to beginning any work.