Postdoctoral Associate: DNA Origami Charge Amplifiers for Biomolecular Sensing

The Biophysical and Biomedical Measurement Group at NIST (Gaithersburg, MD) is seeking a postdoctoral research associate to develop DNA-origami-based charge amplifiers for biomolecular sensing and bioelectronic measurement.

This project builds on recent NIST work showing that engineered DNA nanostructures can function as programmable signal amplifiers for biosensing. DNA origami structures can be designed to undergo target-triggered and field-controlled conformational changes, producing large electronic/capacitive signals when integrated with chip-scale measurement platforms. The long-term goal is to develop quantitative, modular biosensing approaches for nucleic acids, proteins, small molecules, and other biomarkers relevant to biomedical, environmental, and biotechnology applications.

This position is within the Biophysical Metrology and Inference program at NIST, which develops interpretable measurement approaches, physical models, and data-analysis methods to connect biological signals to quantitative mechanism and uncertainty.

What you will do:
– Design, assemble, and characterize DNA origami nanostructures that undergo controlled conformational changes upon target binding and/or applied electrostatic bias.
– Develop and validate surface-attachment strategies for integrating DNA nanostructures with semiconductor/electrode-based measurement platforms.
– Perform electronic and electrochemical measurements of DNA nanostructure response, including capacitance, impedance, field-effect/CMOS readout, and related approaches.
– Analyze structure–signal relationships by connecting DNA origami design, conformational state, applied bias, target binding, and measured electronic response.
– Develop experimental workflows for biosensing assays, including controls for nonspecific binding, surface chemistry, device-to-device variability, and measurement uncertainty.
– Collaborate with theory, simulation, nanofabrication, and structural-characterization teams to connect device measurements to origami conformation, energetics, and design rules.
– Publish results and develop robust, reproducible protocols for DNA-origami-based bioelectronic sensing.

Required qualifications:
– Ph.D. in chemistry, biophysics, bioengineering, biomedical engineering, electrical engineering, materials science, physics, or a closely related field.
– Demonstrated experience in one or more of the following areas: DNA nanotechnology/DNA origami; biomolecular self-assembly; bioelectronic sensing; electrochemical or electrical measurements; surface chemistry; or semiconductor/electrode-based biosensors.
– Strong experimental skills and ability to develop, troubleshoot, and validate measurement workflows.
– Strong data-analysis skills using Python, MATLAB, Mathematica, Origin, R, or similar tools.
– Strong written and oral communication skills.

Highly desired:
– Experience designing and assembling DNA origami or other nucleic-acid nanostructures.
– Experience with electronic/electrochemical measurements such as capacitance, impedance/EIS, cyclic voltammetry, field-effect transistor readout, or CMOS biosensing.
– Experience with biotic–abiotic interfaces, surface functionalization, passivation, and biomolecule attachment to semiconductor or electrode surfaces.
– Experience with fluorescence, gel electrophoresis, AFM, cryo-EM, or other characterization methods for DNA nanostructures.
– Experience with biosensing assays for nucleic acids, proteins, small molecules, toxins, pollutants, or disease-relevant biomarkers.
– Familiarity with nanofabrication, microfabrication, microfluidics, or chip-scale measurement systems.

U.S. citizenship is preferred; for some appointment mechanisms, eligibility depends on citizenship.

To apply:
Email (i) a CV, (ii) a brief statement of interest and technical experience, and (iii) names/contact information for 2–3 references to:

[email protected]

Please describe your relevant technical background, including specific techniques, instruments, assays, software, and your role in developing or applying them.

Group information:
https://www.nist.gov/pml/microsystems-and-nanotechnology-division/biophysical-and-biomedical-measurement-group

Related publication:
Variable gain DNA nanostructure charge amplifiers for biosensing
Nanoscale 16, 20893–20902 (2024)
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4NR02959C