Precision Measurements of Cancer Biomarkers for Liquid Biopsies
NIST is collaborating with NCI to improve early cancer detection via precise liquid biopsy measurements of biomarkers like ctDNA and methylation using advanced methods.
This grant is no longer accepting proposals
NRC Research Associateship Programs has archived this opportunity.
Funder: NRC Research Associateship Programs
Due Dates: February 1, 2025 | August 1, 2025
Funding Amounts: $82,764 stipend plus $3,000 travel allowance; typical appointment duration 2 years.
Summary: Postdoctoral fellowship at NIST focused on precision measurement of cancer biomarkers in liquid biopsies to advance early cancer detection and monitoring.
Key Information: Open to U.S. citizens with a doctoral degree; requires contacting a NIST research adviser prior to application; applications reviewed twice yearly.
Description
This postdoctoral fellowship opportunity at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) supports research on precision measurements of cancer biomarkers in liquid biopsies. Liquid biopsy technology enables non-invasive cancer screening, early diagnosis, tumor progression monitoring, and therapy response evaluation by analyzing biomarkers in body fluids.
Research focuses on molecular profiles from circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), including gene alterations and DNA methylation, complemented by circulating tumor cells (CTCs), RNA, proteins, and exosomes. Collaborative projects with the National Cancer Institute include studying altered nucleosome positioning and aberrant DNA methylation for early cancer detection, quantitative tumor burden estimation, and tissue-of-origin mapping.
Additional research areas involve developing PCR-free electrochemical and emerging detection methods for sensitive and selective measurement of cancer biomarkers. Applicants with expertise in digital PCR, next-generation sequencing (NGS), PCR-free methods, or bioinformatics for detecting rare genetic or epigenetic alterations are encouraged to apply.
The fellowship is hosted in the Material Measurement Laboratory, Biosystems and Biomaterials Division at NIST in Gaithersburg, MD.
