Quantification of Bacteria Colonization on Controlled Surfaces
This grant seeks to develop new ways to measure how bacteria colonize surfaces, aiming to create materials that prevent biofilm growth on medical devices.
This grant is no longer accepting proposals
NRC Research Associateship Programs has archived this opportunity.
Funder: NRC Research Associateship Programs
Due Dates: May 1, 2025 | August 1, 2025 (NIST participates in February and August reviews only)
Funding Amounts: $82,764 stipend plus $3,000 travel allowance; typical appointment duration 2 years
Summary: Supports postdoctoral research to develop quantitative methods for measuring bacteria colonization and biofilm formation on surfaces, aiming to create materials that prevent biofilm growth on medical devices.
Key Information: Open to U.S. citizens with a doctoral degree earned within the last 5 years; research conducted on-site at NIST in Gaithersburg, MD.
Description
This fellowship opportunity at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) focuses on advancing the understanding of bacteria colonization and biofilm development on controlled surfaces. Biofilms can cause infections and lead to failure of medical devices such as dental fillings, orthopedic implants, contact lenses, and catheters. However, current methods to quantify biofilm properties are insufficient.
The research aims to develop and apply novel, quantitative techniques to evaluate how biofilms initiate and grow as a function of surface properties. These measurements will be integrated with well-characterized substrates and computational models to uncover the mechanisms behind biofilm-material interactions. The ultimate goal is to inform the design of new materials that can control or prevent biofilm growth, improving the safety and longevity of medical devices.
The research will be conducted within NIST’s Material Measurement Laboratory, Biosystems and Biomaterials Division, located in Gaithersburg, Maryland.
