Postdoctoral Scientist - Lincoln Lab

Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI); United States; On-site; USD 45,000 - 74,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

On-site childcare

Free gym

Available on-campus housing

Shuttle bus to DC metro area

Job summary

Howard Hughes Medical Institute's Lincoln Lab in Ashburn, VA, seeks a Postdoctoral Scientist to design and characterize next-generation fluorophores for multimodal imaging.

The role blends synthetic chemistry, photochemistry, and advanced imaging, with opportunities in live-cell and super-resolution techniques. A strong research record is preferred, and collaboration across HHMI teams is encouraged.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in chemistry, physics, or related fields in the physical or life sciences.
• Hybrid background in photochemistry and/or chemical biology with a strong grounding in organic chemistry.
• Hands-on experience performing organic synthesis of fluorophores and light-sensitive substances.
• Experience working with computational chemistry software packages including Gaussian and Orca.
• Additional skills in fluorescence and absorption spectroscopy, assay development, molecular docking, or fluorescence microscopy is an asset.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and ability to publish.

Responsibilities

• Develop and optimize multistep synthetic routes for new small molecule fluorophores and bioactive ligands for multimodal microscopy applications.
• Apply drug-discovery models, molecular docking simulations, and quantum mechanical calculations to guide molecular design and optimize target engagement, bioavailability, and imaging performance.
• Develop high throughput spectroscopic assays, and single molecule methods to evaluate key properties, including spectral profiles, photostability, and bioavailability.
• Evaluate dye performance in live and fixed-cell imaging, including widefield, confocal and super-resolution methods.
• Establish structure–property relationships between molecular design and performance.
• Collaborate with other members of Tools@HHMI and the broader Janelia community to apply best-performing labels to whole-organism imaging challenges.
• Pursue creative research ideas that leverage your previous experience and align with your current and future scientific interests.

Skills

Photochemistry

Chemical biology

Organic synthesis

Fluorescence spectroscopy

Single molecule imaging

Communication skills

Education

Ph.D. in chemistry or physics or related fields

Tools

Gaussian

Orca

Job description

Primary Work Address: 19700 Helix Drive, Ashburn, VA, 20147

The Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Janelia Research Campus is a pioneering research center in Ashburn, Virginia, where scientists pursue fundamental questions in the life sciences. Our integrated teams of biologists, computational scientists, and tool-builders innovate research practices and technologies to solve biology’s deepest mysteries. HHMI launched Janelia in 2006, establishing an intellectually enriching environment for scientists to do creative, collaborative, hands-on work. We share our methods, results, and tools with the scientific community.

About the Role:

We are seeking Postdoctoral Scientists with hybrid expertise spanning fluorescent dye development, spectroscopy, chemical biology, and super-resolution microscopy to join the Lincoln Lab. In this role you will help design and characterize the next generation of fluorophores to tackle multimodal, whole-organism, and/or super-resolution imaging challenges. Candidates with an excellent record of research achievement and experience in air and/or light sensitive chemical synthesis methods, photochemistry, spectroscopy, or in vitro/in vivo fluorescence imaging are particularly encouraged to apply. Exposure and training in additional techniques, including single molecule imaging, immunofluorescence, super-resolution techniques, as well as cryo-electron tomography and related disciplines, may be required over the course of these projects.

About the Lab:

With a research background grounded in photophysics, organic chemistry, chemical biology, and high-resolution optics, our lab uses experimental photochemistry, computational modelling, and physical chemistry to engineer fluorophores and molecular tools to tackle the challenges at the forefront of fluorescence microscopy. As a part of the Tools@HHMI initiative at Janelia, we strive to challenge the boundaries of fluorophore/probe development for dynamic biological imaging that will revolutionize the imaging projects during the next chapter of Janelia’s research program. We collaborate closely with other groups in Tools@HHMI and the larger Janelia community, including chemists, protein engineers, neuroscientists, and microscopists to achieve mutual goals. For more information about the Lincoln lab, please visit: Lincoln Lab | Janelia Research Campus. In addition, the HHMI Janelia Research Campus provides a highly collaborative, resource-rich environment for our work.

What We Provide:

• A competitive compensation package, with comprehensive health and welfare benefits.
• Access to Janelia’s facilities and engineering support for custom-hardware, scientific computing, and fluorescence microscopy.
• A highly collaborative, interdisciplinary research campus with close ties to labs working across chemistry, protein design, microscopy development, and neuroscience.
• One-on-one mentorship.
• Support to attend and present at scientific conferences.
• Amenities that enhance work-life balance such as on-site childcare, free gyms, available on-campus housing, social and dining spaces, and convenient shuttle bus service to Janelia from the Washington D.C. metro area.

What You’ll Do:

• Develop and optimize multistep synthetic routes for new small molecule fluorophores and bioactive ligands for multimodal microscopy applications.
• Apply drug-discovery models, molecular docking simulations, and quantum mechanical calculations to guide molecular design and optimize target engagement, bioavailability, and imaging performance.
• Develop high throughput spectroscopic assays, and single molecule methods to evaluate key properties, including spectral profiles, photostability, and bioavailability.
• Evaluate dye performance in live and fixed-cell imaging, including widefield, confocal and super-resolution methods.
• Establish structure–property relationships between molecular design and performance.
• Collaborate with other members of Tools@HHMI and the broader Janelia community to apply best-performing labels to whole-organism imaging challenges.
• Pursue creative research ideas that leverage your previous experience and align with your current and future scientific interests.

What You Bring:

• Ph.D. in chemistry, physics, or related fields in the physical or life sciences.
• A hybrid background in photochemistry and/or chemical biology with a strong grounding in organic chemistry
• Hands-on experience performing organic synthesis of fluorophores and light-sensitive substances
• Experience working with computational chemistry software packages including Gaussian and Orca
• Additional skills in fluorescence and absorption spectroscopy, assay development, molecular docking, or fluorescence microscopy is an asset
• Passion and perseverance to carry out high-impact discovery science
• Willingness to work collaboratively in a small lab atmosphere
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare technical reports and contribute to publications

Physical Requirements:

Remaining in a normal seated or standing position for extended periods of time; reaching and grasping by extending hand(s) or arm(s); dexterity to manipulate objects with fingers, for example using a keyboard; communication skills using the spoken word; ability to see and hear within normal parameters; ability to move about workspace. The position requires mobility, including the ability to move materials weighing up to several pounds (such as a laptop computer or tablet). Persons with disabilities may be able to perform the essential duties of this position with reasonable accommodation. Requests for reasonable accommodation will be evaluated on an individual basis.

Compensation:

A Postdoc 00 (0 to 1 year research experience after obtaining a PhD) is compensated at a rate of $74,200.00 annually at HHMI's Janelia Research Campus.

Pay Type: Annual HHMI’s salary structure is developed based on relevant job market data. HHMI considers a candidate's education, previous experiences, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as internal equity when making job offers.

Compensation and Benefits:

Our employees are compensated from a total rewards perspective in many ways for their contributions to our mission, including competitive pay, exceptional health benefits, retirement plans, time off, and a range of recognition and wellness programs. Visit our Benefits at HHMI site to learn more.

Equal Opportunity Employer:

HHMI is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We use E-Verify to confirm the identity and employment eligibility of all new hires. Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) is an independent, ever-evolving philanthropy that supports basic biomedical scientists and educators with the potential for transformative impact. We make long-term investments in people, not just projects, because we believe in the power of individuals to make breakthroughs over time.

Why HHMI:

To move science forward we need a diverse collection of talents, expertise, and backgrounds in scientific research and science education, as well as communications, finance, human resources, information technology, investments, law, and operations. At HHMI, we encourage collaborative and results-driven working styles and offer an adaptable environment where employees can do their best work. What makes us strong is the diversity of our perspectives. We work to promote a culture of inclusion in our work environments and across the greater scientific community.

We encourage a diverse collection of talents, expertise, and backgrounds in scientific research and science education, as well as communications, finance, human resources, information technology, investments, law, and operations. We work to promote a culture of inclusion. Please visit our About Us page for more information about us and the steps we're taking to make HHMI a more inclusive organization.

Job Information:

There, you will learn more about HHMI and can find information about our available roles. Contact us at [e-mail] if you require an accommodation related to completing the job application. All information you provide will be kept confidential and will be used only to the extent required to provide needed reasonable accommodations. Applicants have rights under federal employment laws. For more information about your rights as an applicant, please review these posters: Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Know Your Rights, and Employee Polygraph Protection Act (EPPA).