Senior Researcher (PREP0002242)

Requisition #: A-142470-3

Status: Full Time

Type: Faculty

School: Whiting School of Engineering

Department/Program: Commercial and Government Programs Office

Location City: Baltimore

Location State: MD

Location Zip Code: 21218

Closing Date: Open until filled

To apply: apply.interfolio.com/142470

General Description

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 requiring that such institutions receive a PREP award. The PREP program requires staff from various backgrounds to work on scientific research in many areas. Employees in this position will perform technical work that underpins the scientific study of the collaboration.

There is growing evidence that firefighters are exposed to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) associated with their gear.  The source of the PFAS may be from the firefighter gear (FFG) construction materials or manufacturing process, deterioration of the FFG during service, and deposition on the FFG while on duty. To characterize and reduce the firefighter's risk of being exposed to PFAS, NIST is starting a new study to understand the type, prevalence, and concentration of PFAS on the FFG, the source of PFAS, and the mechanism for PFAS release from the FFG. This study is being conducted in collaboration with staff in MML.

This study has three main thrusts. 

-       Thrust 1: Characterize PFAS associated with FFG textiles (e.g., jacket, pants, gloves) that are new/unused and after stressing.  Stressing is intended to mimic typical wear-and-tear conditions while a Firefighter is on duty (e.g., elevated temperatures, abrasion, and laundering). 

-       Thrust 2: Characterize PFAS found at firefighter's typical workplace environments (e.g., fire scene, fire truck, and fire station). Understanding not only what PFAS species are identified but the source of the PFAS is essential to developing strategies to reduce Firefighter's risk of being exposed to PFAS. 

-       Thrust 3: Coordinate and collaborate our research with the existing PFAS research community studying PFAS from AF, human health effects from PFAS exposure, etc.  This aims to use our data to help develop a comprehensive strategy to reduce/eliminate Firefighter exposure to PFAS.

This position requires delivering for these thrusts but provides flexibility and independence to adjust based on the applicatn's interests and skills. 

The PREP researcher will work primarily in a chemistry/material science research laboratory. The researcher will be responsible for executing and reporting sample preparation (stressing, extraction, etc.) and assisting in the analysis (chromatography, etc.) of specimens containing fluorinated chemicals. 

Key responsibilities will include but are not limited to:

• Setting up, executing, and reporting on preparing specimens for analysis (labeling, cutting, and storing specimens, wet chemistry extractions and handling, etc.).
• Setting up, executing, and reporting on preparing and completing physical stressing (abrasion, thermal, etc.) and airborne experiments of specimens.  
• Assist in operating equipment and collecting PFAS from thermal degradation and combustion experiments.
• Willing to learn how to operate analytic equipment (gas chromatography, etc.)

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 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 information collection 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 meet programmatic requirements. Disclosure of this information is also subject to all the published routine uses 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 indicate your voluntary consent for NIST to use the information you submit for the stated purpose.

Qualifications

§  B.S. or M.S. in chemistry or related field

§  Two semesters of lab experience (before or after degree)

§  Good communications skills

§  Good time management skills

§  Strong team focus

§  Want to take on and learn new activities

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 characteristic. 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 that are irrelevant to the program involved.

Pre-Employment Information

The successful candidate(s) for this position will be subject to a pre-employment background check.

If you are interested in applying for employment with The Johns Hopkins University and require special assistance or accommodation during any part of the pre-employment process, please contact the HR Business Services Office at [email protected]. For TTY users, call via Maryland Relay or dial 711. For more information about workplace accommodations or accessibility at Johns Hopkins University, please visit accessibility.jhu.edu.

Johns Hopkins has mandated COVID-19 and influenza vaccines, as applicable. The COVID-19 vaccine does not apply to positions located in the State of Florida. Exceptions to the COVID and flu vaccine requirements may be provided to individuals for religious beliefs or medical reasons. Requests for an exception must be submitted to the JHU vaccination registry. For additional information, applicants for SOM positions should visit https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/coronavirus/covid-19-vaccine/ and all other JHU applicants should visit https://covidinfo.jhu.edu/health-safety/covid-vaccination-information/.

The following additional provisions may apply depending on which campus you will work. Your recruiter will advise accordingly.

The pre-employment physical for positions in clinical areas, laboratories, working with research subjects, or involving community contact requires documentation of immune status against Rubella (German measles), Rubeola (Measles), Mumps, Varicella (chickenpox), Hepatitis B and documentation of having received the Tdap (Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) vaccination. This may include documentation of having two (2) MMR vaccines; two (2) Varicella vaccines; or antibody status to these diseases from laboratory testing. Blood tests for immunities to these diseases are ordinarily included in the pre-employment physical exam except for those employees who provide results of blood tests or immunization documentation from their own health care providers. Any vaccinations required for these diseases will be given at no cost in our Occupational Health office.