Post-Doctoral Fellow, Mechanical Engineering, NIST PREP
Posting Number: JR107924
Location: Colorado
Engineering a world of possibilities
Post-Doctoral Fellow, Mechanical Engineering, NIST PREP
PREP Research Associate
Colorado School of Mines and NIST welcome applications for a PREP Research Associate/Post-Doctoral Fellow. 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.
The Professional Research Experience Program (PREP) is a cooperative partnership between the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and Colorado School of Mines (Mines). Through PREP, Mines undergraduate and graduate students-as well as researchers holding a Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD-have the opportunity to conduct cutting-edge research in NIST laboratories while working closely with both NIST scientists and a Mines faculty advisor. This dual mentorship ensures participants gain not only hands-on technical expertise but also guidance in connecting their NIST research to Mines' academic and professional pathways. All hires made through the NIST PREP program at Mines are employed by Colorado School of Mines.
Research Title:
Postdoctoral Scholar / PREP0003725 / NIST MML-63 / Fatigue and Failure Group / Colorado School of Mines Mechanical Engineering Department
The work will entail:
Advancing Surface Measurement Science and Standardization to Improve Quality Assurance and Fatigue Life Prediction in Additive Manufacturing
The proposed project will contribute complementary advancement of measurement science supporting AM-specific performance metrics connected to challenges in surface quality measurement science. Better understanding of measurement and characterization of surface notches in AM components will further NIST's mission to advance measurement science and increase industrial competitiveness through better processes for making fatigue life predictions from non-destructive surface texture measurements.
Key responsibilities will include but are not limited to:
Surface roughness measurement and analysis for additively manufactured metals
Fatigue testing and fractography for additively manufactured metals
Fatigue modeling for additively manufactured metals
Publishing results in peer-reviewed journals
Presenting results at internal meetings, and occasional meetings with external stakeholders.
Ensuring that results, protocols, software, and documentation have been archived or otherwise transmitted to the larger organization.
Qualifications
A Master's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Manufacturing, or a related field.
Demonstrated proficiency with the following techniques: X-ray micro computed tomography, laser confocal scanning microscopy, focus variation microscopy, fatigue testing, fractography, fatigue modeling
Strong oral and written communication skills.
Supervisors: Drs. Joy Gockel (Mines) and Nik Hrabe (NIST)
Total Rewards
$60,000- $70,000 annual salary rate
Mines takes into consideration a combination of candidate's education, training and experience as well as the position's scope and complexity, the discretion and latitude required in the role, work location, and external market and internal value when determining a salary level for potential new employees.
Colorado School of Mines offers a robust portfolio of benefits for all employees. For this role, that includes:
Flexible health and dental care options
Generous sick/vacation time: 13 paid holidays per year - including a week-long winter break for entire campus.
Fully vested retirement plan on first day of employment, with generous employer contribution
Tuition benefits (6 credits per year for employees, 50 percent discount for dependents)
Free RTD Ecopass
All Mines employees also have access to https://stateofcolorado.benefithub.com/app/home through the State of Colorado and free tickets for Mines https://minesathletics.com/ home games, as well as access to the state of the art https://minesathletics.com/facilities/student-recreation-center/13 (fitness classes and training, swimming pool and more) and equipment rentals through the https://minesathletics.com/sports/2016/7/10/outdoor-recreation-home.aspx. We are proud to have recently opened an on https://www.mines.edu/human-resources/employee-total-rewards/benefits/faculty-staff-benefits/more-for-you-aa/mines-early-childhood-center/. For more details about benefits at Mines, visit https://www.mines.edu/human-resources/benefits/.
How to Apply
Applicants must complete an online application (personal information, demographic information, veteran status) and upload the following:
CV including publication list
List of three professional references
It is the intent of Mines to comply with the applicable requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act of 2008, and their implementation rules and regulations, in support of equal opportunities for qualified applicants with disabilities. To meet this goal, Mines will make reasonable accommodations during the employment selection process and within our working environment.
If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you may request a reasonable accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to access job openings or apply for a job on our site as a result of your disability. You can request a reasonable accommodation by contacting our Human Resources team at mailto:hr@mines.edu or 303.273.3250 for assistance.
Successful completion of a background investigation is required for this position. Contact Kathleen Feighny in HR with any questions at mailto:kfeighny@mines.edu.
About Mines and Golden, CO
When the world looks for answers, the world looks to Mines.
Colorado School of Mines is a top-ranked public university solving the grand challenges facing our society, particularly those related to the Earth, energy and the environment. Founded in 1874 with specialties in mining and metallurgy, Mines' scope and mission have continually expanded to meet the needs of industry and society. Today, we are the No. 38 public university in the nation, recognized for our innovation and undergraduate teaching in science, technology engineering and math (U.S. News and World Report, 2023).
Mines graduates are change makers, boundary breakers and problem solvers. Since our earliest days, a Mines education has been and continues to be a transformational opportunity, with one of the strongest returns on investment out there for talented STEM students of all backgrounds.
At the same time, Mines faculty members are pushing their fields in new directions, whether that's manufacturing, space resources, quantum engineering, carbon capture or more. Mines was recently classified as a R1 "Very High Activity" research institution by Carnegie, a notable feat for any university but particularly one of our size.
That size - roughly 7,000 undergraduate and graduate students - also translates to a close-knit campus community, where employees have opportunities to get involved in multiple ways, continued professional learning is valued and everyone can make an impact.
Community Alliance groups bring together employees for professional development, networking, cultural awareness and community involvement, and all Min
