Research Associate (PREP0002327)

Requisition #: A-143558-3

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/143558

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 and thus requires 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.

PREP Researcher associate will conduct research on failure analysis and degradation mechanism study of photovoltaic (PV) modules exposed to accelerated laboratory testing environments and outdoors under different climates. Understanding the degradation mechanism of polymeric components used in solar cells during services is critical to the development and assurance of PV technology. In this study, non-destructive and destructive techniques will be developed for the failure analysis and degradation mechanism of polymeric components in aged PV materials and modules exposed to NIST SPHERE (Simulated Photodegradation via High Energy Radiant Exposure) or outdoors.  The mechanisms of chemical, physical, and mechanical degradation will be studied using spectroscopic, microscopic, and mechanical techniques, such as attenuated total reflection Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), laser scanning confocal microscopy, and tensile tester.  The results will be used to understand the root causes of the module failure, providing a scientific basis for test method development, material selection, and product quality assurance for PV technology.

The candidate will be responsible for activities associated with

1) preparing PV materials, coupons, and mini-modules for exposure to SPHERE with UV radiation, temperature and moisture,

2) characterizing the degradation of materials and components before, during and after exposure to SPHERE using spectroscopic, microscopic, and mechanical techniques,

3) field survey of PV arrays and non-destructively characterize the optical and chemical changes using handheld ATR-FTIR, colorimeter and Raman spectroscopy.

4) correlating the accelerated laboratory exposure data to the field performance of PV modules,

5) analyzing data, presenting results, and writing protocols and journal papers.

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

• ---

  -        A Master degree in Materials Science, or a related field in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, or Mechanical Engineering.

  -        Previous experience in field surveys of PV modules

  -        Laboratory experience in spectroscopy and mechanical tests of polymers

  -        Experience in using R for data analysis

  -        Experience in developing prediction models for degradation of PV polymers

  -        Ability to develop protocols for test methods

Application Instructions

.

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.