Job Opportunity: Postdoctoral Researcher

National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)

Research Title: Postdoc in Light-Scatter Nanoscopy of Gene Delivery Particles

Salary: $78,593

The work will entail: 

Support a newly funded, 5-year NIST program to develop light-scattering interferometric 

nanoscopy methods for rapid, multi-attribute characterization of gene therapy particles at the single 

particle level. The postdoc will work closely with a collaborative, multidisciplinary team of 

researchers to design, build, and model novel instrumentation to provide physical measurements 

(e.g. mass, size, concentration, composition) of individual gene delivery particles. See program 

website for more details https://www.nist.gov/programs-projects/gene-delivery-particle-analysishigh-throughput-light-scattering-microscopy.

Key responsibilities will include but are not limited to:

▪ Integration and automation of hardware components, such as lasers, detectors, and optics, 

to develop a robust and user-friendly light scattering microscope for nanoparticle 

characterization.

▪ Optimizing imaging parameters and data acquisition protocols to enhance measurement 

accuracy and efficiency.

▪ Building optical models of gene delivery particles and nanoscopy instruments.

▪ Collaborate with researchers and engineers to develop innovative algorithms for data 

analysis and interpretation.

▪ Conduct experimental investigations to validate instrument performance, characterize 

particle physical characteristics and heterogeneity, and evaluate the impact of particle 

heterogeneity on gene delivery efficacy.

▪ Publish research findings in peer-reviewed journals and present at conferences and 

workshops.

Qualifications:

▪ A PhD in Physics, Optics, Biophysics, or a related field.

▪ Less than 5 years of relevant post-PhD experience. 

▪ Experience with optical imaging and/or microscopy.

▪ Experience building, designing, and/or modifying scientific instrumentation.

▪ Some familiarity with optical models of particle light scatter and/or optical instruments.

▪ Programming experience with Python, MATLAB, or similar.

Inquiries for the Position:

Candidates should submit a CV with a complete list of publications to aaron.goldfain@nist.gov.

The work location for this position will be at the NIST campus in Gaithersburg, Maryland, a 

suburb of Washington, D.C.

Privacy Act Statement
Authority: 15 U.S.C. § 278g-1(e)(1) and (e)(3) and 15 U.S.C. § 272(b) and (c)

Purpose: The National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST) hosts the Professional 

Research Experience Program (PREP) which is designed to provide valuable laboratory 

experience and financial assistance to undergraduates, post-bachelor’s degree holders, graduate 

students, master’s degree holders, postdocs, and faculty. 

PREP is a 5-year cooperative agreement between NIST laboratories and participating PREP 

Universities to establish a collaborative research relationship between NIST and U.S. institutions 

of higher education in the following disciplines including (but may not be limited to) 

biochemistry, biological sciences, chemistry, computer science, engineering, electronics, 

materials science, mathematics, nanoscale science, neutron science, physical science, physics, 

and statistics. This collection of information is needed to facilitate administrative functions of the 

PREP Program.

Routine Uses: NIST will use the information collected to perform the requisite reviews of the 

applications to determine eligibility, and to meet programmatic requirements. Disclosure of this 

information is also subject to all the published routine uses as identified in the Privacy Act 

System of Records Notices: NIST-1: NIST Associates.

Disclosure: Furnishing this information is voluntary. When you submit the form, you are 

indicating your voluntary consent for NIST to use of the information you submit for the purpose 

stated.