Postdoctoral Fellow (PREP0004625)

Johns Hopkins University; Baltimore (MD); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore seeks a PREP Research Associate to conduct research with the National Institute of Standards. The successful candidate will design and operate advanced laser-based microscopy systems to characterize nanoparticles.

Qualifications include a recent PhD in Physics or related fields, alongside familiarity with optical techniques and programming skills in Python or MATLAB. Join us in advancing scientific research and innovation in a collaborative environment.

Qualifications

• Completed PhD within the last 5 years.
• Familiarity or experience with optical models of particle light scattering.
• Enthusiasm for learning new theoretical and experimental techniques.

Responsibilities

• Design, improve, and operate custom-built, laser-based light scattering microscopes.
• Conduct experimental investigations and evaluate nanoparticle characteristics.
• Collaborate with researchers to develop algorithms for data analysis.

Skills

Optical models of particle light scattering

Optical imaging

Programming with Python or MATLAB

Education

PhD in Physics, Optics, Biophysics, or related field

Job description

PREP Research Associate

This position is part of the National Institute of Standards (NIST) Professional Research Experience (PREP) program. The PREP award enables NIST staff to collaborate on research with academic institutions. Employees in this position will perform technical work that supports the scientific research of the collaboration.

Research Title

Postdoctoral Researcher: Interferometric Microscopy for Gene Delivery Nanoparticle Characterization

Key Responsibilities

• Design, improve, and operate custom‑built, laser‑based light scattering microscopes for quantitative nanoparticle characterization.
• Build new optical models of gene delivery nanoparticles and interferometric microscopes.
• Conduct experimental investigations to validate instrument performance and characterize nanoparticle physical characteristics and heterogeneity.
• Collaborate with researchers to develop innovative algorithms for data analysis and interpretation.
• Collaborate to evaluate the impact of particle heterogeneity on gene delivery efficacy.
• Publish research in peer‑reviewed journals and present at scientific conferences.

Qualifications

• A PhD in Physics, Optics, Biophysics, or a related field.
• Completed PhD within the last 5 years.
• Familiarity or experience with optical models of particle light scattering and/or optical instruments.
• Familiarity or experience with optical imaging and/or microscopy.
• Enthusiasm for learning new theoretical, computational, and experimental techniques.
• Programming experience with Python, MATLAB, or similar.
• U.S. citizenship is preferred.

Equal Opportunity Employer

NIST is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, disability, or any other protected class.