Postdoctoral Fellow (PREP0003428) Full-time

Postdoctoral Fellow

This position is part of the National Institute of Standards (NIST) Professional Research Experience (PREP) program. NIST recognizes that its research staff may wish to collaborate with researchers at academic institutions on specific projects of mutual interest, thus requires that such institutions must be the recipient of a PREP award. The PREP program requires staff from a wide range of backgrounds to work on scientific research in many areas. Employees in this position will perform technical work that underpins the scientific research of the collaboration.

We are seeking to hire a biomedical engineer to be stationed at the NIST Gaithersburg Campus located in Gaithersburg, Maryland, close to Washington DC. The person hired for this position will help to add technical quality to methods that use complex cell models to investigate absorption of compounds and particles across the human digestive system. The person will also develop high-quality test methods through evaluation of potential control measurements and sources of uncertainty.

Key responsibilities will include but are not limited to:

• Biomanufacturing of cellular models that resemble physiological system such as the human digestive tract
• Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team of researchers to evaluate relevant control measurements for methods that utilize these cellular models
• Perform transepithelial electrical resistance measurements
• Evaluation of control data in collaboration with NIST statisticians
• Conduct experimental investigations to validate the model's performance with chemicals and other treatments
• Publish research findings in peer-reviewed journals and present at conferences and workshops.

Qualifications:

• Advanced degree (MS or PhD) in physics, engineering, biomedical engineering, biology
• Experience with biomanufacturing of complex cell models including multiple cell types
• Demonstrated ability to use advanced instrumentation and associated software for analyzing and imaging these cell models
• Experience with performing common cell methods such as viability assays and using plate readers
• Demonstrated ability to write technical protocols, present results and generate data for reports.
• Demonstrated ability for critical thinking, innovation and problem solving.
• Ability to work independently and with a multi-disciplinary research team
• Experience using spreadsheets and statistical software packages for data analysis.