Post-Doctoral Fellow

University of Kansas; Lawrence (KS); On-site; USD 50,000 - 67,000; Full time

Job summary

The Center of BioModular Multi-Scale Systems for Precision Medicine at the University of Kansas invites applications for a post-doctoral fellow to advance nanotechnology for structural determinations of proteins. You will lead graduate students, develop nanopore-based analysis, and collaborate with NSF-funded efforts.

The role emphasizes hands-on experiments, system integration, and dissemination through peer-reviewed publications, with a start date in early 2027.

Qualifications

• PhD in biomedical engineering, mechanical engineering, or chemistry at appointment time.
• Formal degree required by appointment; conditional hires not exceeding 6 months.
• Experience in nanopore sensing preferred and relevant machine learning exposure.

Responsibilities

• Conduct experiments to secure resistive pulse signatures for 20 amino acids.
• Build an integrated plastic system with a solid-phase exopeptidase reactor and nanopore sensor.
• Fabricate in-plane nanopore sensors via injection molding with thermal fusion bonding and surface chemistries.
• Monitor graduate students on RPS measurements and exopeptidase activity on surfaces.
• Publish peer-reviewed papers on detection/identification of amino acids by RPS.
• Attend and present at weekly group meetings and national/international meetings.
• Engage in outreach activities about protein/peptide chemistry and RPS sensing.

Skills

Nanopore sensing

Resistive Pulse Sensing (RPS)

Machine learning familiarity

Protein/peptide chemistry

Education

PhD in Biomedical Engineering

PhD in Mechanical Engineering

PhD in Chemistry

Tools

Injection molding

Thermal fusion bonding

Residual nanopore fabrication

Job description

Position Overview

The Center of BioModular Multi-Scale Systems for Precision Medicine (CBMM) at the University of Kansas (College of Liberal Arts & Sciences and School of Engineering) is seeking qualified candidates for a post-doctoral fellow position to work on a nationally-funded project focused on developing nanotechnology for structural determinations of proteins. The candidate should have a Ph.D. in any of the following disciplines: biomedical engineering, mechanical engineering, or chemistry. Experiences in nanopore sensing both from a fabrication and operational perspective is preferred. A track record in Resistive Pulse Sensing (RPS), familiarity with machine learning, and protein/peptide chemistry is desirable. The person hired in this position will provide leadership to graduate students working on this project as well.

This position has funding for up to two years.

Job Description

• 35% - Using our plastic in-plane nanopore sensors using established techniques in the laboratory (injection molding and thermal fusion bonding), the PD will conduct experiments to secure resistive pulse signatures for the 20 amino acids.
• 20% - Build an integrated system in a plastic using injection molding that will consist of a solid-phase exopeptidase reactor coupled to the dual in-plane nanopore sensor to determine the amino acid composition of input peptides.
• 15% - Fabricate in-plane nanopore sensors via a modified injection molding process with an assembly process that uses thermal fusion bonding. This category also involves looking at different surface modification chemistries, including TRIS modification.
• 10% - Monitoring graduate students on the RPS measurements of single amino acid molecules and the action or exopeptidases when surface immobilized.
• 10% - Writing peer-reviewed papers covering topics on the detection and identification of single amino acids using RPS and the on-line detection of amino acids following exopeptidase action on peptides.
• 5% - Attend weekly group meetings and weekly sub-group meetings and make presentations at each of these meeting on an irregular basis (depends on scheduling). Also, make presentations on research work at national/international meetings at the discretion of the PI (Soper).
• 5% - Participate in outreach activities to the general public and school children on the basic concepts of protein/peptide/amino acid chemistry and RPS sensing. These activities are mandated by the funding source (NSF).

Required Qualifications

1. Ph.D. in any of the following disciplines conferred at the time of appointment: biomedical engineering, mechanical engineering, or chemistry.

NOTE: To be appointed at the Postdoctoral Researcher title or equivalent title, it is necessary to have the Ph.D. in hand. Appointments made without a diploma or certified transcript indicating an earned doctorate are conditional hires and are appointed on an acting basis not to exceed 6-months.

This position requires a formal degree in the cited discipline area(s) to ensure that candidates have advanced knowledge, analytical skills and professional competencies necessary to perform the duties of the position. The level of degree is commonly recognized as the standard qualification for similar roles in the public and private sector, ensuring that the university remains competitive with industry aligned practices, enhances collaboration with external partners, and supports the delivery of services and programs that meet professional and market-driven expectations.

Preferred Qualifications

1. Experience in nanopore sensing both from a fabrication and operational perspective.
2. Experience in working with Resistive Pulse Sensing (RPS).
3. Knowledge of or experience with machine learning and protein/peptide chemistry as evidenced by application materials.

Contact Information to Applicants

Dr. Steven Soper, [e-mail]

Advertised Salary Range

$58,656

Application Review Begins

Thursday October 15, 2026

Anticipated Start Date

Friday January 1, 2027