PREP Research Associate – Statistical Metrology to Advance Science and Technology Through Data Visualization, Estimation, and Analysis

Job Category: Statistics
Job Type: full time
Job Location: Maryland
Job Program: NIST-PREP
Experience: M.S.
Work Type: In Person

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.

Research Title: Statistical Metrology to Advance Science and Technology Through Data Visualization, Estimation, and Analysis

The work will entail:
The work will entail collaborative statistical research with NIST scientists, engineers, and statisticians in support of applied metrology for physical science or biological applications of mutual interest to the Associate and to NIST. Programmatic areas of research at NIST include chemistry, materials science, forensics, semiconductor technology, physics, civil engineering, biology, and fire science among a wide range of other application areas. As an example, one potential project involves investigating the feasibility of a roadside cannabis breathalyzer by measuring the amount of THC detectable in breath at two timepoints to distinguish recent cannabis use from habitual use. Work consists of the analysis of pre-use and post-use data at multiple timepoints, starting with extensive exploratory data analysis to understand measurement variability and distinguish pre-use from post-use data.

Key responsibilities will include but are not limited to:

  • Exploration of data including descriptive statistics and graphical displays
  • Statistical modeling or analysis of data in support of collaborative research goals
  • Estimating the variation in time series measurements gathered at multiple time points
  • Explaining complex statistical concepts to non-statisticians

Qualifications

  • Researcher with an M.S. in statistics or a related area of academic study
  • Strong oral and written communication skills. 
  • Experience with statistical graphics, modeling, analysis, and computing (e.g., R)

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.

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.

PREP0002784

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