SummaryNIST is seeking a Critical Minerals Recovery Specialist to serve as a project scientist responsible for leading original research to develop measurement platforms that quantify the thermodynamics and kinetics of functionalized polymeric membranes and sorbents used to recover critical minerals from acidic solutions digested from electronic waste streams.
This notice is issued under direct-hire authority to recruit new talent to occupations for which NIST has a severe shortage of candidates.DutiesHelp
The major duties of the Critical Minerals Recovery Specialist include:
- Working independently, exercising independent judgment to design specialized instrumentation, refine analytical methodologies, and evaluate polymer ligand-metal ion binding mechanisms in complex, highly acidic leachate solutions containing dissolved mono-, di-, and trivalent metal ions.
- Integrating membrane science, electrochemistry, and pyrometallurgy.
- Operating with high autonomy in technical decision-making, resolving complex separation measurement challenges and ensuring data integrity.
- Conducting studies on model materials.
- Authoring peer-reviewed publications, presenting findings, and generating foundational reference data required by industry to optimize sorbents, membranes, and separation processes.
- Collaborating closely with interdisciplinary teams across NIST's critical minerals portfolio, actively engaging with external contacts - including industry stakeholders, recyclers, and academic researchers - to align measurement platforms with national critical mineral supply chain priorities.
RequirementsHelp
Conditions of employment- U.S. citizenship
- Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service
- Suitable for Federal employment
- Bargaining Unit Position: No
QualificationsBasic Requirements:- Degree: physical sciences, life sciences, or engineering that included 30 semester hours in chemistry, supplemented by course work in mathematics through differential and integral calculus, and at least 6 semester hours of physics.
OR - Combination of education and experience course work equivalent to a major as shown in A above, including at least 30 semester hours in chemistry, supplemented by mathematics through differential and integral calculus, and at least 6 semester hours of physics, plus appropriate experience or additional education.
IN ADDITION TO THE BASIC REQUIREMENTS: Applicants must also have 1 year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-9 (ZP-II at NIST) level. Specialized experience is defined as:
(a) Experience in separations methods using polymer membranes and sorbents
(b) Experience in characterization methods for ion containing and charged polymers
(c) Experience in isothermal titration calorimetry measurements
ORMaster's or equivalent graduate degree as defined in the basic requirements
ORA combination of graduate education and specialized experience as defined in the additional requirements.
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
The qualification requirements in this vacancy announcement are based on the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards Handbook.
If requesting reconsideration of your qualification determination, please refer to the following site: Applicant Reconsideration
EducationThis position has an education requirement. Transcripts must be submitted to validate that the education requirement has been met. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted in the application package. However, an official copy will be required before a final offer of employment.
Use of foreign education for qualifications. An accredited organization must evaluate education completed outside of the U.S. to ensure that it is comparable to education received in accredited institutions in the U.S. Click here to view a listing of accredited organizations from the Department of Education's website. A copy of the foreign education evaluation (containing the results with course-by-course listing) is required with your application.
Additional informationThis position is covered under NIST's Alternative Personnel Management System (APMS), a pay-for-performance system with excellent HR flexibilities to help NIST recruit and retain top talent. Learn more about the APMS here!
- We may share your application package with other selecting officials. Additional selections may be made through this vacancy.
- Click all links in this vacancy announcement to view additional information or instructions.
- You MUST select at least ONE ELIGIBILITY to be considered for this position.
- All documents submitted for this announcement must be legible to make qualification or eligibility determinations.
- A probationary period may be required.
NIST strives to build a flexible and encouraging work environment to bring out the best in our employees. To help our employees balance responsibilities at home and at work, NIST offers a variety of work-life flexibilities. For more information, please visit our Careers website.
Applicants who apply under this Job Opportunity Announcement may opt-in (at their request) to allow the sharing of their resume, cover letter, transcripts, certifications, and other associated documents and applicable personal information shared with other Department of Commerce (DOC) Bureaus/Offices who have vacancies within the same occupational series, grade and pay band (or its equivalent), and full performance level in the same duty location or commuting area of the duty location listed on the Job Opportunity Announcement. Applicants that apply for General Schedule (GS) positions can be considered for pay band positions under one of the DOC's alternative personnel systems (i.e., Commerce Alternative Personnel System (CAPS), or Alternative Personnel Management System (APMS)) that have the equivalent GS grade level and full performance level, and similarly, CAPS and APMS applicants may be considered for GS positions or one of DOC's alternative personnel systems. Upon acceptance of a position, the employee will be subject to the corresponding pay system (i.e., GS, CAPS or APMS). Applying to this announcement does not replace the need to apply to other job opportunity announcements for which they wish to receive consideration.
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Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
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