Postdoctoral researcher
The Infrastructure Materials Group is seeking a highly motivated Research Associate to be a part of the
Forward Looking Building Standards initiative within NIST.
As the construction industry pivots toward low-carbon binders—such as Type IL (Portland-Limestone)
and Calcium Sulfoaluminate (CSA) cements—traditional prescriptive building codes are becoming
obsolete. We are looking for a researcher who can bridge the gap between fundamental geochemistry
and applied standardization. You will develop the measurement science required to predict the long-
term durability of these novel materials, ensuring the nation’s infrastructure remains resilient for
decades to come.
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) promotes U.S. innovation and industrial
competitiveness by advancing measurement science, standards, and technology in ways that enhance
economic security and improve our quality of life. Located in Gaithersburg, Maryland, NIST offers a
collaborative, interdisciplinary culture where you will work alongside some of the world’s leading
scientists and engineers to solve critical national challenges.
The Infrastructure Materials Group (IMG) serves as the nation's premier resource for developing the
science-based tools—measurements, data, models, protocols, and reference standards—needed to
evaluate the performance of conventional and innovative building materials. As part of the Engineering
Laboratory, the IMG focuses on predicting the service life of infrastructure components when exposed
to real-world and accelerated weathering environments.
We are specifically targeting a researcher with a rigorous background in pore solution chemistry and
transport properties. The ideal candidate does not just run standard tests; they understand the
thermodynamic mechanisms driving durability. You should be comfortable moving between the wet lab
(extracting and analyzing pore solutions) and the computer (modeling phase assemblages and
quantifying uncertainty).
Experience determining the Formation Factor of concrete, using XRF for pore solution analysis, or
modeling hydration kinetics using GEMS/PHREEQC, are critical skills needed for this position.
Novel Infrastucture Materials and Advanced Metrology
Required
- Education: Successful candidates should have completed a Ph.D. in any one of Chemistry,
Physics, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, or Materials Science at
the time of the position start date, with a focus on chemistry and material science of
cementitious materials. - Cementitious Materials Science Background: Demonstrated experience conducting quantitative
laboratory measurements on cementitious materials: X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric
analysis (TGA), isothermal calorimetry, scanning electron microscopy (SEM). - Modeling and Computational: Demonstrated experience using computation tools such as
COMSOL, Python/Matlab/R. - Uncertainty Quantification: Demonstrated ability to apply statistical methods to quantify the
uncertainty of experimental measurements, beyond linear least-squares regression.
Preferred
- Specialized Metrology: Peer-reviewed publication utilizing one of the following techniques
o Quantitative Phase Analysis (QPA) using X-ray Diffraction, including the use of the
Internal Standard Method to quantify amorphous contents in hydrated cementitious
systems.
o Composition Analysis using X-ray fluorescence to quantify the elemental composition
of solutions. - Transport & Durability: Demonstrated understanding of the Nernst-Einstein relationship,
electrical resistivity measurements, and the determination of the Formation Factor in
cementitious systems. - Thermodynamic Modeling: Proficiency with geochemical modeling software (e.g., GEMS,
PHREEQC, or Oli) to simulate cement hydration and phase stability in low-carbon binders. - Alternative Binder Expertise: Demonstrated research experience with Calcium Sulfoaluminate
(CSA) cements, Type IL cements, or alkali-activated materials. - Currently living in the United States
- U.S. citizenship is preferred
Key responsibilities will include but are not limited to:
- Advance Measurement Science: Develop and validate novel test methods for characterizing
alternative cementitious materials, with a specific focus on linking microstructural development
to macro-scale transport properties. - Pore Solution Characterization: Lead efforts to standardize X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) techniques
for the elemental analysis of concrete pore solutions, establishing protocols for characterizing
accuracy and repeatability. - Durability Modeling: Apply thermodynamic modeling to predict phase changes (e.g.,
carbonation, chloride binding) in Type IL and CSA cements under varying climate scenarios. - Uncertainty Quantification: Use advanced statistical frameworks (Bayesian inference, Monte
Carlo simulations) to analyze experimental data, and to quantify the uncertainty in service-life
predictions for code development. - Code & Standard Development: Translate research findings into actionable proposals for ASTM
and ACI committees, directly influencing the next generation of building codes.