Materials Research Engineer

Summary Join NIST's Materials Measurement Science Division and play a pivotal role in advancing XRD science We're seeking experts to enhance and innovate measurement capabilities, develop and certify SRMs, and be a part of impactful collaborations with the scientific community. This notice is issued under direct-hire authority to recruit new talent to occupations for which NIST has a severe shortage of candidates. Responsibilities At the ZP-III level, you will: Maintain and operate the existing suite of custom XRD instruments and design new components as needed. This may include hardware such as precision mechanical components and diffraction optics, as well as software tools for data acquisition and analysis. Extend and develop advanced mathematical models of XRD processes. This includes dynamic and kinematic X-ray scattering theory, Monte-Carlo simulations, and the Fundamental Parameters Approach (the primary certification method for our powder diffraction SRMs) Provide support as needed for the certification and utilization of the existing suite of SRMs as well as the development of new standards Effectively communicate results through publications and presentations at national and international conferences At the ZP-IV level, you will: Lead efforts related to improving in-house XRD measurement capabilities Take on additional responsibilities related to SRM development, including engagement with the XRD community to identify future needs, evaluation of candidate reference materials potentially through the release of research grade test materials (RGTMs), and providing Build and maintain collaborations related to XRD measurement capabilities both within and outside of NIST Recruit and mentor postdocs and students as appropriate Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications Basic Requirements: A. Degree: Engineering. To be acceptable, the program must: (1) lead to a bachelor's degree in a school of engineering with at least one program accredited by ABET; or (2) include differential and integral calculus and courses (more advanced than first-year physics and chemistry) in five of the following seven areas of engineering science or physics: (a) statics, dynamics; (b) strength of materials (stress-strain relationships); (c) fluid mechanics, hydraulics; (d) thermodynamics; (e) electrical fields and circuits; (f) nature and properties of materials (relating particle and aggregate structure to properties); and (g) any other comparable area of fundamental engineering science or physics, such as optics, heat transfer, soil mechanics, or electronics. OR B. Combination of education and experience -- college-level education, training, and/or technical experience that furnished (1) a thorough knowledge of the physical and mathematical sciences underlying engineering, and (2) a good understanding, both theoretical and practical, of the engineering sciences and techniques and their applications to one of the branches of engineering. The adequacy of such background must be demonstrated by one of the following: 1. Professional registration or licensure -- Current registration as an Engineer Intern (EI), Engineer in Training (EIT)1, or licensure as a Professional Engineer (PE) by any State, the District of Columbia, Guam, or Puerto Rico. Absent other means of qualifying under this standard, those applicants who achieved such registration by means other than written test (e.g., State grandfather or eminence provisions) are eligible only for positions that are within or closely related to the specialty field of their registration. For example, an applicant who attains registration through a State Board's eminence provision as a manufacturing engineer typically would be rated eligible only for manufacturing engineering positions. 2. Written Test -- Evidence of having successfully passed the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE)2 examination or any other written test required for professional registration by an engineering licensure board in the various States, the District of Columbia, Guam, and Puerto Rico. 3. Specified academic courses -- Successful completion of at least 60 semester hours of courses in the physical, mathematical, and engineering sciences and that included the courses specified in the basic requirements under paragraph A. The courses must be fully acceptable toward meeting the requirements of an engineering program as described in paragraph A. 4. Related curriculum -- Successful completion of a curriculum leading to a bachelor's degree in an appropriate scientific field, e.g., engineering technology, physics, chemistry, architecture, computer science, mathematics, hydrology, or geology, may be accepted in lieu of a bachelor's degree in engineering, provided the applicant has had at least 1 year of professional engineering experience acquired under professional engineering supervision and guidance. Ordinarily there should be either an established plan of intensive training to develop professional engineering competence, or several years of prior professional engineering-type experience, e.g., in interdisciplinary positions. (The above examples of related curricula are not all inclusive.) AND In addition to the basic requirements above, applicants must have at least 1 year (52 weeks) of specialized experience at the GS-10 level (ZP-II at NIST) or equivalent. Specialized experience is defined as experience in at least two of the following: Experience with XRD of powders and/or thin film materials. Experience building custom lab equipment, including precision mechanical systems and diffraction optics. Knowledge of commercial automation hardware. Experience with LabView and python scripting. In addition to the basic requirements above, applicants must have at least 1 year (52 weeks) of specialized experience at the GS-10 level (ZP-II at NIST) or equivalent. Specialized experience is defined as experience in at least three of the following areas: Experience with XRD of powders and/or thin film materials, Experience building custom lab equipment, including precision mechanical systems and diffraction optics. Knowledge of commercial automation hardware. Experience with LabView and python. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. The qualification requirements in this vacancy announcement are based on the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards Handbook. Applicant Reconsideration Education This position allows applicants to qualify with education. Transcripts must be submitted to validate that the education requirement has been met. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted in the application package. However, an official copy will be required before a final offer of employment. Use of foreign education for qualifications. An accredited organization must evaluate education completed outside of the U.S. to ensure that it is comparable to education received in accredited institutions in the U.S. Click here to view a listing of accredited organizations from the Department of Education's website. A copy of the foreign education evaluation (containing the results with course-by-course listing) is required with your application. Additional Information This position is covered under NIST's Alternative Personnel Management System (APMS), a pay-for-performance system with excellent HR flexibilities to help NIST recruit and retain top talent. Learn more about the APMS here Your application package may be shared with other selecting officials at NIST for similar opportunities and additional selections may be made from this vacancy. Click all links in this vacancy announcement to view additional information or instructions. All documents submitted for this announcement must be legible to make qualification or eligibility determinations. A probationary period may be required. NIST strives to build a flexible and encouraging work environment to bring out the best in our employees. To help our employees balance responsibilities at home and at work, NIST offers a variety of work-life flexibilities such as: Telework Flexible work schedules Paid parental leave Paid vacation Sick leave Family-friendly leave Childcare subsidy program for qualifying families Back-up child care program Child and elder-care resources On-site childcare center Lactation spaces Wellness programs Fitness center Employee assistance programs