General DescriptionThis 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, thus requiring that such institutions receive a PREP award. The PREP program requires staff from various backgrounds to work on scientific research in many areas. Employees in this position will perform technical work that underpins the scientific study of the collaboration. There is growing evidence that firefighters are exposed to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) associated with their gear.  The source of the PFAS may be from the firefighter gear (FFG) constructi