Postdoc: Nanopore Biodosimetry & Single-Molecule Damage

Biophysical and Biomedical Measurement Group - NIST; United States; On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

NIST's Biophysical and Biomedical Measurement Group in Gaithersburg, MD is seeking a postdoctoral research associate to develop nanopore spectroscopy measurements of radiation-induced damage to polymers and nucleic acids. The project extends work on biodosimetry using resistive-pulse nanopore measurements of DNA fragmentation.

Responsibilities include designing experiments, preparing samples, and analyzing ionizing-radiation dose effects as a function of radiation quality, LET, and dose rate,

Qualifications

• PhD in a relevant field as listed.
• Experience in nucleic acid chemistry, resistive-pulse sensing, nanopore spectroscopy, radiation chemistry or related areas.
• Strong experimental skills and ability to develop, troubleshoot, and validate measurement workflows.
• Strong data-analysis skills using Python, MATLAB, R or Origin.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute research on measuring ionizing-radiation dose using polymer chain scission reactions.
• Prepare and characterize polymers (e.g., cellulose) and nucleic acids (DNA/RNA) for irradiation and nanopore measurement.
• Measure radiation-induced molecular damage using nanopore spectroscopy and related single-molecule methods.
• Develop and validate dose-response curves vs. radiation quality (type, LET, dose rate).
• Analyze nanopore signals to quantify fragment-length distributions, damage, and uncertainty.
• Develop models linking radiation chemistry, molecular damage, absorbed dose, and RBE-related response.
• Collaborate with NIST teams in nanopore sensing, dosimetry, and biophysics.
• Report results through presentations and peer-reviewed publications.

Skills

Data analysis

Experiment design

Multidisciplinary collaboration

Communication skills

Scientific writing

Education

PhD in chemistry, biochemistry, biophysics, analytical chemistry, radiation chemistry, radiation biology, biomedical engineering, physics or closely related field

Tools

Python

MATLAB

R

Origin

Job description

NIST's Biophysical and Biomedical Measurement Group in Gaithersburg, MD is seeking a postdoctoral research associate to develop nanopore spectroscopy measurements of radiation-induced damage to polymers and nucleic acids. The project extends work on biodosimetry using resistive-pulse nanopore measurements of DNA fragmentation.

Responsibilities include designing experiments, preparing samples, and analyzing ionizing-radiation dose effects as a function of radiation quality, LET, and dose rate,