Job Details

Postdoctoral Associate or Research Associate

Position Number: 6969731
Location: Boulder, CO
Position Type: Laboratory and Research

Postdoctoral Associate or Research Associate

Requisition Number: 70202
Location: Gaithersburg Maryland
Employment Type: Research Faculty
Schedule: Full Time
Posting Close Date: 16-Mar-2026
Date Posted:

Job Summary

Damage to concrete structures in residential and commercial construction in central Connecticut has been attributed to the iron sulfide mineral pyrrhotite. Iron sulfides in concrete aggregate are not desirable as their relative instability results in decomposition with associated staining, expansion, and pop-outs near concrete surfaces or, in severe cases, cracking of the structure. There are no standardized test methods to assess pyrrhotite occurrence and abundance in aggregate or in concrete due to its low concentrations while still having a significant impact. Developing a standard test method, including a set of calibration reference standards will provide a means for accurate, consistent analysis of pyrrhotite in concrete. An improved understanding, based on modeling and experimental data, of the pyrrhotite/aggregate/concrete reaction types, reaction rates, and reaction product impact on concrete expansion, is needed so that the most deleterious reactions can be efficiently reduced or eliminated.
In this opportunity, the PREP researcher will develop models to better understand the microstructural characteristics relevant to the internal sulfate expansion phenomena, including its volume expansion.
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 wish to collaborate with researchers at academic institutions on specific projects of mutual interest, thus requires that such institutions must be the recipient 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. 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.

Who We Are

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 Infrastructure Materials Group at NIST.

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

Chemo-mechanical modeling to simulate the expansion and the damage in concrete.
Thermodynamic modeling to evaluate the reactions in cement phases due to pyrrhotite oxidation.
Crack progression modeling using Finite Element Model (FEM) to simulate cracking behavior due to internal phases expansion.
Moisture transport modeling that considers the distressed concrete due to pyrrhotite.
Surface coating simulation modeling.
Interfacing with NIST experimentalists to support and validate modeling work.
Analyzing modeling results and drafting manuscripts.

What You Should Know

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

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) which is designed to provide valuable laboratory experience and financial assistance to undergraduates, post-bachelor's 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 collection of information is needed to facilitate 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 to meet programmatic requirements. Disclosure of this information is also subject to all the published routine uses as 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 are indicating your voluntary consent for NIST to use of the information you submit for the purpose stated.

What We Can Offer

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.

Benefits

At the University of Colorado Boulder, we are committed to supporting the holistic health and well-being of our employees. Our comprehensive benefits package 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. Explore additional perks and programs through the CU Advantage program.

Be Statements

Be creative. Be impactful. Be Boulder.

What We Require

Postdoctoral Associate: PhD in Chemistry, Physics, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, or related field with 0 - 4 years of post-doctoral degree experience.
Research Associate: PhD in Chemistry, Physics, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, or related field with 5+ years of post-doctoral degree experience.

Special Instructions

To apply, please submit the following materials:

Resume or CV
Cover letter addressed to the Search Committee briefly describing your qualifications, professional goals, and specific interest in this position.

If you are selected as the finalist, your degree will be verified by the CU Boulder Campus Human Resources department using an approved online vendor. If your degree was obtained outside of the United States, please submit a translated version as an optional attachment. During the application process, you will need to enter contact information for a reference. We will request the letter of recommendation immediately following your application. Review of applications will begin immediately and remain open until March 16, 2026. Note: Application materials will not be accepted via email. For consideration, applications must be submitted through CU Boulder Jobs.
In compliance with the Colorado Job Application Fairness Act, in any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.

To apply, visit https://jobs.colorado.edu/jobs/JobDetail/Postdoctoral-Associate-or-Research-Associate/70202