Assistant Research Scientist (PREP0003539) - #Faculty
- Johns Hopkins University
- Gaithersburg, Maryland
- Full Time
PREP Research Associate
This position is part of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Professional Research Experience Program (PREP). 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 be the recipients 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:
Laser scanner performance evaluation
The work will entail:
The NIST Dimensional Metrology Group (DMG) is seeking a motivated individual with a background in engineering or physics to join our team. The DMG has a long history in developing test procedures to evaluate the performance of dimensional measurement systems (such as Cartesian coordinate measuring machines, laser trackers, terrestrial laser scanners, X-ray computed tomography systems). These test procedures are then absorbed into national and international documentary standards providing traceability, enabling commerce, and ensuring the competitive advantage of US industries. The group recently acquired a laser scanner system. As a member of our multi-disciplinary team, you will collaborate closely with experts in dimensional metrology, engineering, mathematics, and computer science to develop test procedures to assess the performance of this system. You will work with team members to model observed systematic errors, propose methods to improve the accuracy of the system, and develop uncertainty budgets for measurements made with this system. You will present the work in internal meetings, conferences and publish results in peer-reviewed journals.
Key responsibilities will include but are not limited to:
Perform experiments to evaluate the performance of the laser scanner system
Collaborate in the development of theoretical models of observed errors
Conduct research to implement novel approaches to reduce any observed systematic errors
Collaborate in the development of uncertainty budget for measurements made using the system
Present research findings at internal meetings, scientific conferences, and peer-reviewed journals.
A bachelor's or master's in engineering or physics or related field.
A background in performing experimental work, data collection and analysis.
Ability to control, operate and automate scientific test equipment and instrumentation.
Familiarity with MATLAB or Python.
Strong oral and written communication skills.
Salary: $60,000-$75,000 a year
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. Please DO NOT include telephone numbers, home address or photos on your resume.
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.
Job Type: Full Time
The listed salary range represents the minimum and maximum Johns Hopkins University offers for this position, based on a good faith estimate at the time of posting. Actual compensation will vary depending on factors such as location, skills, experience, market conditions, education, and internal equity. Not all candidates will qualify for the highest salary in the range.
Johns Hopkins provides a comprehensive benefits package supporting health, career, and retirement. Learn more:
Equal Opportunity Employer
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.
EEO is the Law
This position is part of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Professional Research Experience Program (PREP). 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 be the recipients 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:
Laser scanner performance evaluation
The work will entail:
The NIST Dimensional Metrology Group (DMG) is seeking a motivated individual with a background in engineering or physics to join our team. The DMG has a long history in developing test procedures to evaluate the performance of dimensional measurement systems (such as Cartesian coordinate measuring machines, laser trackers, terrestrial laser scanners, X-ray computed tomography systems). These test procedures are then absorbed into national and international documentary standards providing traceability, enabling commerce, and ensuring the competitive advantage of US industries. The group recently acquired a laser scanner system. As a member of our multi-disciplinary team, you will collaborate closely with experts in dimensional metrology, engineering, mathematics, and computer science to develop test procedures to assess the performance of this system. You will work with team members to model observed systematic errors, propose methods to improve the accuracy of the system, and develop uncertainty budgets for measurements made with this system. You will present the work in internal meetings, conferences and publish results in peer-reviewed journals.
Key responsibilities will include but are not limited to:
Perform experiments to evaluate the performance of the laser scanner system
Collaborate in the development of theoretical models of observed errors
Conduct research to implement novel approaches to reduce any observed systematic errors
Collaborate in the development of uncertainty budget for measurements made using the system
Present research findings at internal meetings, scientific conferences, and peer-reviewed journals.
A bachelor's or master's in engineering or physics or related field.
A background in performing experimental work, data collection and analysis.
Ability to control, operate and automate scientific test equipment and instrumentation.
Familiarity with MATLAB or Python.
Strong oral and written communication skills.
Salary: $60,000-$75,000 a year
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. Please DO NOT include telephone numbers, home address or photos on your resume.
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.
Job Type: Full Time
The listed salary range represents the minimum and maximum Johns Hopkins University offers for this position, based on a good faith estimate at the time of posting. Actual compensation will vary depending on factors such as location, skills, experience, market conditions, education, and internal equity. Not all candidates will qualify for the highest salary in the range.
Johns Hopkins provides a comprehensive benefits package supporting health, career, and retirement. Learn more:
Equal Opportunity Employer
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.
EEO is the Law
Job ID: 482524208
Originally Posted on: 6/24/2025
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