graduate student in applying methods to asses the pressure drop of plumbing fittings

This position is part of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (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 work will entail: The conduct of research to develop a test method to assess the pressure drop of a range of plumbing fittings as a function of water flow parameters such as velocity and temperature. The research will involve development of test apparatus that includes plumbing design and data acquisition system design, and the associate will work with federal technicians to build and carry out the experiments. The research will also involve analysis of the data and presentation of results in manuscripts and presentations.

Key responsibilities will include but are not limited to:

• Designing experimental equipment to assess the pressure drop across plumbing fittings as a function of flow rate of water.
• Capturing and analyzing data using the plumbing hydraulics laboratory at NIST to aid in development of a standard test method to assess pressure drop across a range of plumbing fittings.
• Complying with NIST processes for safety in offices and laboratories
• Documenting results through manuscripts, posters, and presentations to internal and external audiences.
• Identify and implement opportunities to improve the NIST approach.

Qualifications

U.S. Citizen Preferred

A bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field.

• 1 year of relevant experience in design
• 6 months of experience in planning and completing experimental studies in a laboratory setting
• Familiarity with plumbing in buildings.
• Familiarity with data analysis methods and basic coding skills, MATLAB.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.

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 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.

SURA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We believe that no one should be discriminated against because of their differences, such as age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity and expression, religion, or sexual orientation. All employment decisions shall be made without regard to age, race, creed, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, disability status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, citizenship status, or any other basis as protected by federal, state, or local law.

PREP0004662

Work Type: Hybrid