Postdoc: Nanopore Biodosimetry and Single-Molecule Damage

VS-Postdoc; Gaithersburg, Northern (MD, KY); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

NIST's Biophysical and Biomedical Measurement Group in Gaithersburg, MD seeks a Postdoctoral Associate to develop nanopore spectroscopy measurements of ionizing-radiation damage to polymers and nucleic acids. The role advances single-molecule biodosimetry and radiation dosimetry through dose- and quality-dependent studies.

The position emphasizes experimental development, data analysis, and model establishment, with collaboration across radiation chemistry, biology, and metrology teams, leading

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in chemistry, biochemistry, biophysics, analytical chemistry, radiation chemistry, radiation biology, biomedical engineering, physics, or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated experience in nucleic acid chemistry, resistive-pulse sensing, nanopore spectroscopy, radiation chemistry, radiation biology, polymer/biopolymer damage, or single-molecule measurement.
• Strong experimental skills and ability to develop, troubleshoot, and validate measurement workflows.
• Strong data-analysis skills using Python, MATLAB, R, Origin, or similar tools.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute research on measuring ionizing-radiation dose using polymer chain scission reactions.
• Prepare and characterize standard polymers (e.g., cellulose) and nucleic acids (DNA/RNA) for irradiation, nanopore measurement, and quantitative analysis.
• Measure radiation-induced molecular damage using nanopore spectroscopy, resistive-pulse sensing, nanopipettes, and related single-molecule measurement approaches.
• Develop and validate dose-response curves as a function of radiation quality, including radiation type, LET, dose rate, and related experimental conditions.
• Analyze nanopore signals to quantify fragment-length distributions, chain scission, capture statistics, dose response, uncertainty, and reproducibility.
• Develop physical, statistical, and computational models linking radiation chemistry, direct/indirect molecular damage, absorbed dose (Gy), and RBE-relevant response.
• Collaborate with NIST teams in nanopore sensing, radiation dosimetry, radiation biology/chemistry, and biophysical measurement.
• Report results through internal and external presentations and peer-reviewed publications.

Skills

Python

MATLAB

R

Origin

Data analysis

Education

PhD

Tools

Nanopore spectroscopy

Resistive-pulse sensing

Nanopore measurement

DNA/RNA sample preparation

Job description

NIST's Biophysical and Biomedical Measurement Group in Gaithersburg, MD seeks a Postdoctoral Associate to develop nanopore spectroscopy measurements of ionizing-radiation damage to polymers and nucleic acids. The role advances single-molecule biodosimetry and radiation dosimetry through dose- and quality-dependent studies.

The position emphasizes experimental development, data analysis, and model establishment, with collaboration across radiation chemistry, biology, and metrology teams, leading