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Postdoctoral Materials Science Jobs in Washington

Umd

Postdoctoral Associate

College Park, MD · On-site

$75K - $80K/yr

The Patro lab has a strong commitment to open science, and to developing efficient, robust, usable ... Required Application Materials: 1. Personal statement (research vision, accomplishments and ...

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Postdoctoral Materials Science information

What is a postdoctoral materials scientist?

Postdoctoral materials scientists are researchers who have completed their doctoral degree (PhD) in materials science or a related field and are engaged in advanced research, typically at a university, laboratory, or industrial setting. Their work involves designing and conducting experiments, analyzing data, and publishing findings to advance knowledge in materials science. Postdocs often collaborate with other scientists and may mentor graduate or undergraduate students. This position helps scientists further develop their expertise and prepare for independent research careers in academia, industry, or government.

What skills and qualifications are needed to thrive as a postdoctoral materials scientist?

To thrive as a Postdoctoral Materials Scientist, you need a Ph.D. in materials science or a related field, strong research skills, and expertise in materials characterization and synthesis. Familiarity with analytical instruments (such as SEM, TEM, XRD), scientific programming languages, and experience publishing in peer-reviewed journals are typically expected. Critical thinking, problem-solving, collaboration, and effective scientific communication are key soft skills for success in this role. These qualifications and skills are essential for advancing research, securing funding, and contributing to innovative scientific discoveries.

What are common challenges faced by postdoctoral researchers in materials science, and how can they be managed?

Postdoctoral researchers in materials science often face challenges such as balancing independent research with collaborative projects, managing time between lab work and publishing, and securing funding for specialized experiments. Navigating interdisciplinary teams can also require strong communication skills, as research frequently overlaps with fields like chemistry, engineering, or physics. Building strong mentorship networks and proactively seeking professional development opportunities can help address these challenges and support career advancement.

What is the difference between Postdoctoral Materials Science vs Postdoctoral Chemistry?

AspectPostdoctoral Materials SciencePostdoctoral Chemistry
Required CredentialsPh.D. in Materials Science, Engineering, or related fieldPh.D. in Chemistry or related discipline
Work EnvironmentResearch labs focused on materials development, characterization, and applicationLaboratories emphasizing chemical synthesis, analysis, and reactions
Employer & Industry UsageUniversities, research institutes, industry R&D in materials and nanotechnologyAcademic institutions, chemical companies, pharmaceutical R&D
Common Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding roles in materials research and developmentExploring chemistry-focused postdoctoral opportunities

Postdoctoral Materials Science and Postdoctoral Chemistry share similar credentials and research environments but focus on different scientific areas. Materials Science emphasizes developing and analyzing new materials, while Chemistry centers on chemical reactions and synthesis. Both roles are vital in research institutions and industry, but they cater to distinct research interests and applications.

What are popular job titles related to Postdoctoral Materials Science jobs in Washington?

For Postdoctoral Materials Science jobs in Washington, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Postdoctoral Materials Science jobs in Washington look for?

The top searched job categories for Postdoctoral Materials Science jobs in Washington are:

Postdoctoral Materials Science jobs near you
Infographic showing various Postdoctoral Materials Science job openings in Washington as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 81% Full Time, 13% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 3% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 91% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution.

NIST PREP Postdoc Associate in Bioelectronic Sensing

Southeastern Universities Research Association

Gaithersburg, MD • On-site

$83K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted yesterday

Job description

This position is part of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Professional Research Experience Program (PREP). NIST recognizes that its research staff may want to collaborate with researchers at academic institutions on specific projects of mutual interest and, therefore, requires those institutions to be recipients of a PREP award. The PREP program involves staff from a wide range of backgrounds conducting scientific research across various fields. Individuals in this position will perform technical work supporting the collaboration's scientific research.
Research Title: Postdoctoral Researcher in Bioelectronic Sensing
The work will entail: The Microsystems and Nanotechnology Division at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Gaithersburg, MD is searching for postdoctoral researchers who are motivated to develop novel electronic measurements of biomarkers. The development of chip scale assays for the accurate and sensitive measurements of biomarkers is critical to enable transformative point of care applications in personalized health care and drug discovery. To enable such applications, we develop bioelectronics measurements to identify and quantify biomarkers in solution. Our research utilizes CMOS device structures specifically designed and fabricated for biosensing. We are interested in developing robust interfaces to semiconductor devices that utilize DNA nanotechnology as well as other approaches to enable the measurements of nucleic acids, proteins, and small molecules in a modular platform.
U.S. Citizens Preferred
Key responsibilities will include but are not limited to:
  • Design and assembly of DNA nanostructures.
  • Development of techniques and validation methods to verify attachment of DNA nanostructures to semiconductor substrates.
  • Setup and development of instrumentation to support CMOS bioelectronic measurements.
  • Characterization of biotic-abiotic interfaces and surface chemistry.

Qualifications
  • A Ph.D. Engineering, Materials Science or a related field.
  • Two years of relevant experience.
  • Expertise with electrochemical (e.g., EIS, cyclic voltammetry) or electrical measurements (e.g., capacitance) measurements of DNA nanostructures or DNA by using CMOS detectors.
  • Experience in nanofabrication techniques and processes.
  • Data analysis with MATLAB, Mathematica, Python or similar software.
  • Strong oral and written communication skills.

Privacy Act StatementAuthority: 15 U.S.C. § 278g-1(e)(1) and (e)(3) and 15 U.S.C. § 272(b) and (c)
Purpose: The National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST) hosts the Professional Research Experience Program (PREP) which is designed to provide valuable laboratory experience and financial assistance to undergraduates, post-bachelor's degree holders, graduate students, master's degree holders, postdocs, and faculty.
PREP is a 5-year cooperative agreement between NIST laboratories and participating PREP Universities to establish a collaborative research relationship between NIST and U.S. institutions of higher education in the following disciplines including (but may not be limited to) biochemistry, biological sciences, chemistry, computer science, engineering, electronics, materials science, mathematics, nanoscale science, neutron science, physical science, physics, and statistics. This collection of information is needed to facilitate administrative functions of the PREP Program.
Routine Uses: NIST will use the information collected to perform the requisite reviews of the applications to determine eligibility, and to meet programmatic requirements. Disclosure of this information is also subject to all the published routine uses as identified in the Privacy Act System of Records Notices: NIST-1: NIST Associates.
Disclosure: Furnishing this information is voluntary. When you submit the form, you are indicating your voluntary consent for NIST to use of the information you submit for the purpose stated.
SURA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We believe that no one should be discriminated against because of their differences, such as age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity and expression, religion, or sexual orientation. All employment decisions shall be made without regard to age, race, creed, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, disability status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, citizenship status, or any other basis as protected by federal, state, or local law.
PREP0004156

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