Graduate Student in Applying Methods to Assess the Pressure Drop of Plumbing Fittings
SURA is a nonprofit consortium of 57 member universities that advances collaborative scientific research and education, operates research programs and staffing initiatives, and participates in operating Jefferson Lab through the SURATech joint venture.
About Southeastern Universities Research Association
Established in 1980 to pursue construction and operation of the Continuous Electron Beam Accelerator Facility, SURA now supports large-scale scientific collaboration, talent development, space-science programs, NIST research opportunities, and the operation of Jefferson Lab through SURATech with Virginia Tech.
Skills
Candidate Availability
Required and preferred rules are kept separate and reflect the wording in the original posting.
About the Role
You will conduct research to develop a test method for assessing the pressure drop of a range of plumbing fittings as a function of water flow parameters such as velocity and temperature. You will design test apparatus including plumbing and data acquisition systems, work with federal technicians to build and run experiments, analyze the data, and present results in manuscripts and presentations.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field
- 1 year of relevant experience in design
- 6 months of experience in planning and completing experimental studies in a laboratory setting
- Familiarity with plumbing in buildings
- Familiarity with data analysis methods and basic coding skills, MATLAB
- Strong oral and written communication skills
- U.S. Citizen preferred
Responsibilities
- Design experimental equipment to assess the pressure drop across plumbing fittings as a function of water flow rate
- Capture and analyze data using the plumbing hydraulics laboratory at NIST to aid development of a standard test method
- Comply with NIST processes for safety in offices and laboratories
- Document results through manuscripts, posters, and presentations to internal and external audiences
- Identify and implement opportunities to improve the NIST approach