Postdoctoral Associate or Research Associate

Postdoctoral Associate or Research Associate

Requisition Number: 70295 Location: Gaithersburg, Maryland City: Gaithersburg State: Maryland Employment Type: Research Faculty Schedule: Full-Time Posting Close Date: 18-Mar-2026 Date Posted: 04-Mar-2026 Job Summary The Materials Measurement Laboratory of the National Institute of Standards and Technology is seeking qualified persons to apply modern methods in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to the problem of predicting infrared spectra and mass spectra for PFAS compounds.

The candidate should have a strong background in AI/ML with application to chemical problems, have familiarity with infrared and mass spectra, and understand the relevant chemistry of PFAS molecules. This position will involve working with a team of chemists, physicists, mathematicians, data scientists and machine learning experts characterizing PFAS molecules used in the semiconductor industry with the goal of discovering new molecules for the semiconductor etching process.

This position is part of the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s (NIST) Professional Research Experience Program (PREP). NIST recognizes that its research staff may want to collaborate with researchers at academic institutions on specific projects of mutual interest and, therefore, requires those institutions to be recipients of a PREP award. The PREP program involves staff from a wide range of backgrounds conducting scientific research across various fields.

Individuals in this position will perform technical work supporting the collaboration’s scientific research.
CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

PREP is a special partnership between the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the University of Colorado Boulder. PREP provides research opportunities to CU undergraduate and graduate students, as well as researchers with a Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD in NIST labs to gain research experience alongside NIST scientists. The particular group that needs a researcher is the Chemical Informatics Group at NIST.

• Develop libraries of training data through mining of existing databases and simulation of infrared and mass spectra using quantum chemistry and related methodologies.
• Create AI/ML models for high-fidelity prediction of the infrared and mass spectra and validate their use in matching experimentally measured spectra.
• Collaborate with other computational and experimental researchers to meet project goals.
• Disseminate results through publications, talks, poster presentations, etc.

• This position is located in Gaithersburg, Maryland, United States.

• The salary range for the full-time Postdoctoral Associate position is $74,000 – $108,000 annually.
• The salary range for the full-time Research Associate position is $78,000 – $135,000 annually.
• Onboarding/relocation assistance may be available, however, if within a 12-month period you exercise your right to willfully terminate your employment with the University of Colorado, you hereby agree to reimburse the department for your relocation expense.

At the , we are committed to supporting the holistic health and well-being of our employees. Our comprehensive includes medical, dental, and retirement plans; generous paid time off; tuition assistance for you and your dependents; and an ECO Pass for local transit. As one of Boulder County’s largest employers, CU Boulder offers an inspiring academic community and access to world‑class outdoor recreation.

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• Postdoctoral Associate:
  PhD in chemistry, physics, or a closely aligned field with 0 – 4 years of post‑doctoral degree experience.
• Res…