Postdoctoral Associate: Nanopore Spectroscopy for Single-Molecule Biodosimetry

2026-09-07 Postdoctoral Associate: Employer Biophysical and Biomedical Measurement Group - NIST Location Gaithersburg, Maryland Job Type Postdoctoral Employment - Hours Full time Duration Fixed term Qualification PhD Sector Government The Biophysical and Biomedical Measurement Group at NIST (Gaithersburg, MD)is seeking a postdoctoral research associate to develop nanopore spectroscopymeasurements of ionizing-radiation damage to polymers and nucleic acids. This project builds on recent NIST work demonstrating single-moleculebiodosimetry using resistive-pulse nanopore measurements of radiation-inducedDNA fragmentation. The next stage will expand this approach to quantify chainscission and molecular damage in standard polymers, including cellulose, and innucleic acids such as DNA and RNA. Measurements will be performed as a functionof absorbed dose and radiation quality, including radiation type, linear energytransfer (LET), dose rate, and related conditions. The broader goal is to connect molecular damage to absorbed dose (Gy),radiation chemistry, and relative biological effectiveness (RBE), providing acomplementary molecular measurement approach for radiation dosimetry,cancer-therapy response assessment, and radiological emergency response. This position is within the Biophysical Metrology and Inference program atNIST, which develops measurement approaches, physical models, and data-analysismethods that connect biological signals to quantitative mechanism anduncertainty. What you will do: Design and execute research on measuring ionizing-radiation dose using polymer chain scission reactions. Prepare and characterize standard polymers (e.g., cellulose) and nucleicacids (DNA/RNA) for irradiation, nanopore measurement, and quantitativeanalysis. Measure radiation-induced molecular damage using nanopore spectroscopy,resistive-pulse sensing, nanopipettes, and related single-molecule measurementapproaches. Develop and validate dose-response curves as a function of radiationquality, including radiation type, LET, dose rate, and related experimentalconditions. Analyze nanopore signals to quantify fragment-length distributions, chainscission, capture statistics, dose response, uncertainty, andreproducibility. Develop physical, statistical, and computational models linking radiationchemistry, direct/indirect molecular damage, absorbed dose (Gy), andRBE-relevant response. Collaborate with NIST teams in nanopore sensing, radiation dosimetry,radiation biology/chemistry, and biophysical measurement. Report results through internal and external presentations andpeer-reviewed publications. Required qualifications: Ph.D. in chemistry, biochemistry, biophysics, analytical chemistry,radiation chemistry, radiation biology, biomedical engineering, physics, or aclosely related field. Demonstrated experience in one or more of the following: nucleic acidchemistry, resistive-pulse sensing, nanopore spectroscopy, radiation chemistry,radiation biology, polymer/biopolymer damage, or single-moleculemeasurement. Strong experimental skills and ability to develop, troubleshoot, andvalidate measurement workflows. Strong data-analysis skills using Python, MATLAB, R, Origin, or similartools. Strong written and oral communication skills. Highly desired: Experience with nanopores, nanopipettes, ionic-current measurements,resistive-pulse sensing, electrophysiology, or electrochemical sensing. Experience with DNA/RNA sample preparation, nucleic-acid damage assays,polymer chain scission, fragmentation analysis, ormolecular-length/molecular-weight characterization. Experience with ionizing radiation, dosimetry, LET/radiation quality,radiation chemistry, radiation biology, RBE, or radiotherapy-relevantmeasurements. Experience with statistical analysis, dose-response modeling, signalprocessing, internal standards/calibration, and uncertainty quantification. Experience with spectroscopy, chromatography, electrophoresis, fluorescencemethods, or complementary molecular characterization techniques. Ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary environment spanningchemistry, biophysics, radiation science, nanopore measurement, and biomedicalmetrology. U.S. citizenship is preferred; for some appointment mechanisms, eligibility depends on citizenship. Group information: Related publication: Analytical Chemistry 97, 22004-22012 (2025) Related NIST story: New Technique for Measuring DNA Damage Could Improve Cancer Therapy andRadiological Emergency Response #J-18808-Ljbffr VS-Postdoc