Funder: NRC Research Associateship Programs
Due Dates: February 1, 2025 | May 1, 2025 | August 1, 2025 | November 1, 2025
Funding Amounts: Stipend approximately $82,764 per year plus $3,000 travel allowance; typical appointment duration 2 years.
Summary: Supports postdoctoral research to develop robust, reproducible in vitro assays for quantifying drug release profiles from nanotechnology-enabled medical products, aiding quality control and regulatory approval.
Key Information: Open to U.S. citizens with a doctoral degree earned within the last 5 years; applications require prior contact with NIST advisers; NIST participates in February and August review cycles only.
This fellowship opportunity at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) focuses on advancing analytical metrology for nanotechnology-enabled drug products. Over the past two decades, the use of vectors such as liposomes, nanocrystals, and emulsions to deliver nucleic acid, protein, and small molecule therapeutics has grown rapidly. However, the development of robust and reproducible in vitro assays to evaluate critical quality attributes and biological responses of these nano-enabled drug products has lagged behind.
The research aims to design, develop, and rigorously evaluate in vitro drug release assays capable of accurately measuring free, protein-bound, and vector-encapsulated drug fractions over time. These assays are essential for pharmaceutical manufacturers to assess drug availability, monitor quality control, and meet regulatory requirements. Current assays are often time-consuming, complex, and lack standardization.
Applicants are expected to incorporate optimized experimental designs that assess variability, repeatability, and reproducibility, including the use of process controls and rigorous statistical analyses. The assays should be suitable for interlaboratory studies, ensuring robustness and reliability across different settings.
Note: NIST participates only in the February and August review cycles.
Additional benefits include health insurance coverage, relocation assistance for those moving more than 50 miles, and access to state-of-the-art facilities at NIST.
Applications are reviewed by expert panels in relevant scientific disciplines. Scores are assigned on a 100-point scale; scores above 70 are recommended for awards. Selection also depends on alignment with NIST’s mission and available funding.
| Contact Type | Details |
|---|---|
| Program Contact Email | rap@nas.edu |
| Program Phone | 202-334-2760 |
| NIST Adviser 1 | Bryant C. Nelson, bryant.nelson@nist.gov, 301-975-2517 |
| NIST Adviser 2 | Elijah Joel Petersen, elijah.petersen@nist.gov, 301-975-8142 |