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 and thus requires that such institutions receive a PREP award. The PREP program requires staff from various backgrounds to work on scientific research in many areas. Employees in this position will perform technical work that underpins the scientific study of the collaboration.

PREP Researcher associate will conduct research on failure analysis and degradation mechanism study of photovoltaic (PV) modules exposed to accelerated laboratory testing environments and outdoors under different climates. Understanding the degradation mechanism of polymeric components used in solar cells during services is critical to the development and assurance of PV technology. In this study, non-destructive and destructive techniques will be developed for the failure analysis and degradation mechanism of polymeric components in aged PV materials and modules exposed to NIST SPHERE (Simulated Photodegradation via High Energy Radiant Exposure) or outdoors. The mechanisms of chemical, physical, and mechanical degradation will be studied using spectroscopic, microscopic, and mechanical techniques, such as attenuated total reflection Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), laser scanning confocal microscopy, and tensile tester. The results will be used to understand the root causes of the module failure, providing a scientific basis for test method development, material selection, and product quality assurance for PV technology.

The candidate will be responsible for activities associated with

1) preparing PV materials, coupons, and mini-modules for exposure to SPHERE with UV radiation, temperature and moisture,

2) characterizing the degradation of materials and components before, during and after exposure to SPHERE using spectroscopic, microscopic, and mechanical techniques,

3) field survey of PV arrays and non-destructively characterize the optical and chemical changes using handheld ATR-FTIR, colorimeter and Raman spectroscopy.

4) correlating the accelerated laboratory exposure data to the field performance of PV modules,

5) analyzing data, presenting results, and writing protocols and journal papers.

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), (https://www.nist.gov/iaao/academic-affairs-office/nist-professional-research-experience-program-prep) which is designed to provide valuable laboratory experience and financial assistance to undergraduates, post-bachelor 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 information collection 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 meet programmatic requirements. Disclosure of this information is also subject to all the published routine uses 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 indicate your voluntary consent for NIST to use the information you submit for the stated purpose.

• • A Master degree in Materials Science, or a related field in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, or Mechanical Engineering.

  • Previous experience in field surveys of PV modules

  • Laboratory experience in spectroscopy and mechanical tests of polymers

  • Experience in using R for data analysis

  • Experience in developing prediction models for degradation of PV polymers

  • Ability to develop protocols for test methods

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Job Type: Full Time Johns Hopkins University is committed to active recruitment of a diverse faculty and student body. The University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer of women, minorities, protected veterans and individuals with disabilities and encourages applications from these and other protected group members. Consistent with the University’s goals of achieving excellence in all areas, we will assess the comprehensive qualifications of each applicant.