Postdoc: Nanopore Spectroscopy for Molecular Biodosimetry

Biophysical and Biomedical Measurement Group - NIST; Gaithersburg (MD); On-site; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Biophysical and Biomedical Measurement Group at NIST in Gaithersburg, MD seeks an aposterioral research associate to develop nanopore spectroscopy measurements of ionizing-radiation damage in polymers and nucleic acids. The role builds on biodosimetry work using resistive-pulse nanopore measurements and expands to cellulose, DNA, and RNA under varying dose and radiation quality.

Responsibilities include designing experiments, preparing polymers and nucleic acids for irradiation, measuring

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in chemistry, biochemistry, biophysics, analytical chemistry, radiation chemistry, radiation biology, biomedical engineering, physics, or a closely related field.

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

Strong communication

Experimental skills

Education

PhD in chemistry/biophysics/biomedical engineering/related field

Tools

nanopore spectroscopy

resistive-pulse sensing

Job description

Biophysical and Biomedical Measurement Group at NIST in Gaithersburg, MD seeks an aposterioral research associate to develop nanopore spectroscopy measurements of ionizing-radiation damage in polymers and nucleic acids. The role builds on biodosimetry work using resistive-pulse nanopore measurements and expands to cellulose, DNA, and RNA under varying dose and radiation quality.

Responsibilities include designing experiments, preparing polymers and nucleic acids for irradiation, measuring