NIST Single Molecule Biosensors
NIST is developing electronic and optical tools to improve nanopore biosensors for single-molecule study of biophysical processes like molecular transport and binding.
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: Stipend approximately $82,764 per year plus $3,000 travel allowance; typical appointment duration 2 years.
Summary: Supports postdoctoral research at NIST developing advanced nanopore biosensor technologies for single-molecule biophysical studies.
Key Information: Open to U.S. citizens with a doctoral degree earned within the last 5 years; requires contacting a NIST Research Adviser prior to application.
Description
This fellowship opportunity at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) focuses on advancing nanopore biosensor technology to study single-molecule biophysical processes. Nanopores enable investigation of molecular transport kinetics, protein unfolding pathways, protein stability, and DNA-protein/RNA-protein binding free energy profiles. Beyond fundamental protein characterization, nanopore systems can analyze polymer confinement at the single-molecule level.
The research involves developing novel electronic and optical tools to manipulate the local environment around nanopores with nanometer spatial precision and nanosecond temporal resolution. This allows probing critical physicochemical interactions that govern molecular transport and sensing mechanisms. Chemical detection via nanopore transducers requires precise control of mass transport, analyte capture from bulk solution, and characterization of interactions within the nanopore cavity.
Selected references highlight applications of nanopore spectrometry for peptide detection and protein sensing, demonstrating the technology's utility in biophysical and biochemical research.
