The Premise Plumbing in High-Performance Buildings (PPHPB) project at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) anticipates a need for a PhD graduate for a term-limited (two years with possibility of an extension) research engineer position. The purpose of the PPHPB project is to develop new measurement methods, modeling approaches, and data to support improvements in building plumbing design, water use efficiency, water heating energy efficiency, and water quality.
The selected researcher will work with project PI to investigate the occurrence of Opportunistic Premise Plumbing Pathogens (OPPP) in water heaters in a NIST laboratory and in a plumbing system at a test home on NIST’s campus. The researcher’s principal tasks include:
• Developing best practices for building water quality sampling.
• Evaluating physical and chemical parameters of water samples and comparing results to benchmark standards
• Developing new methods for quantifying pathogen concentrations in drinking water samples.
• Performing laboratory analysis for pathogen detection using valid statistical methods.
• Writing peer-reviewed journal articles on research outcomes.
Educational preferences: A Ph.D. degree is desired, but highly skilled Master of Science graduates will also be considered.
Preferred majors: Environmental Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Biotechnology, Bioengineering, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Microbiology.
Skills:
Experience with design of experiments, BSL2 labs, performing heterotrophic plate counts (HPCs), PCR, digital droplet PCR, and DNA sequencing are desirable. Candidates with good written and oral communication skills, good team working skills, and good analytical skills (relevant to project) are preferred.
If you or someone you know is interested in this exciting opportunity, or if you would like further information, please contact Dr. Behrang Hamadani (bh@nist.gov, 301-975-5548).
The Department of Commerce is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
The position would be located at the NIST campus in Gaithersburg, MD, USA.
If, and when a federal position is available, a vacancy announcement will be posted on WWW.USAJOBS.GOV. At this time, however, NIST is considering a number of mechanisms through which a researcher could be brought to the lab (e.g., guest researchers).
Possible series under which this potential position would include, but are not limited to, 0819 (Environmental Engineer), 0830 (Mechanical Engineer) or 0403 (Microbiologist).
Salary range would be that of the ZP III, Interval 1 pay range ($78,592 to $98,088 per year).