Postdoctoral Fellow (PREP0004695)

Johns Hopkins, founded in 1876, is America's first research university and home to nine world-class academic divisions working together as one university.

Salary: $100,000 - $110,000

Johns Hopkins University: Whiting School of Engineering: Office of Research and Translation

Description

PREP Research Associate
CHIPS Funded Project

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 be the recipients 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. U. S. Citizen Preferred.

Research Title:

Development of neutron generator-based prompt gamma activation analysis (PGAA) instrument

U.S. Citizen Preferred

The work will entail:

The incumbent will lead an effort to extend the current reactor-dependent nuclear analytical techniques to those based on laboratory neutron sources, such as DD and DT neutron generators. PGAA is a non-destructive nuclear analytical technique capable of multi-elemental analysis of materials, based on isotope specific prompt gamma ray emission from the deexcitation of the nucleus following thermal neutron capture. It is unique in the quantitative measurement of light elements such as B and H, with simultaneous determination of the major and minor matrix elements. NIST is a world leader in employing reactor based thermal and cold neutron beam PGAA for the certification of standard reference materials (SRMs) and in material characterization in support of academic and industrial research and development. The existing PGAA facilities at the NIST Center for Neutron Research offer one of the highest neutron intensities in the world. However, there are limitations to large facility access due to reactor operation status. This project partially leverages the expertise gained in reactor-based nuclear analytical facilities for the development of their neutron generator-based counterparts. The main challenge is to overcome the lower neutron intensity by careful design of the neutron moderator and optimization of the detector shielding and geometry, and by exploiting the pulse nature of the generator for coincidence detection to achieve background reduction.

Key responsibilities will include but are not limited to:

• Design and implement a neutron moderator for the neutron generator to produce a thermal neutron irradiation sample position.
• Establish neutron and gamma ray detection systems including detectors and electronics for PGAA measurements for elemental analysis in semiconductor materials.
• Perform PGAA spectral analysis.
• Investigate coincidence detection scheme to enhance detection limits.
• Publish findings in peer-reviewed scientific journals and present at relevant meetings and conferences.

Qualifications

§ PhD in Nuclear Engineering or a related field.

§ Proficiency in radiation detection principles based on neutron and gamma ray interaction with materials.

§ Experience with radiation transport simulations and demonstration of hands-on ability in the design and assembly of neutron moderators for optimal thermal output.

§ Expertise in nuclear digital and analog electronics related to operation of high purity germanium detectors and gamma ray spectrometry.

Application Instructions

Please upload the following with your application:

· CV/Resume

*Please limit C.V to 3 pages only and ONLY include a valid email address for your contact info. *Your resume will not be considered if the following information is included on your CV/resume.***

· Self portraits

· Phone number

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