[BioC] Metrology for Gene Expression -- Postdoc Opportunities at NIST

[Marc Salit]

A new program in the Metrology for Gene Expression at the National 
Institute for Standards and Technology in Gaithersburg, MD, is under 
development and seeking enthusiastic and talented postdoctoral research 
candidates interested in exploring the basic measurement properties of 
microarrays. Our work will focus on understanding the performance of 
microarray gene expression analysis, through the process from RNA 
extraction, sample preparation, labeling, hybridization, detection, and 
data analysis.

We invite interested candidates to apply for Postdoctoral Research 
Associateships available through the National Research Council (NRC) 
targeted at Ph.D. candidates who will graduate in 2005.  These research 
associateships are two-year appointments with an annual salary of 
$55,700.  Postdoctoral Research Associateships at NIST in all areas of 
research including chemistry, physics, materials science, engineering, 
and mathematics have been in place for some years.  These positions are 
highly competitive and attract outstanding candidates. Typically, 40-50 
of these associateships are awarded each year at NIST.

The “Metrology for Gene Expression” program will be focusing on the 
measurement properties of microarrays, a technology that makes possible 
quantitative whole-genome studies in the course of a day. Microarrays, 
a relatively low-cost, high-throughput, combinatorial tool for 
measurements of nucleic acids and proteins, have revolutionized gene 
expression experiments. This technology is based on the affinity 
hybridization of sample-carried "target" molecules to probes that are 
typically immobilized in a spatial array. While this capability is 
revolutionizing the conduct of research in the biosciences, there are 
numerous scientific and technical questions regarding the reliability, 
validity, uncertainty, comparability, dynamic range, 
selectivity/specificity, and linearity of microarray results. Our 
emerging program will study these metrological properties through 
studying the molecular biology, chemistry, physics, and informatics of 
the entire measurement process. We invite inquiry from applicants who 
are interested in any facet of this multidisciplinary program.

Our current team is composed of biologists, chemists, chemometricians 
and statisticians.  We would welcome the addition of candidates 
experienced in any of these areas, as well as related but not 
represented fields.

Applicants for these associateships must be U.S. citizens and must have 
completed all of the requirements for the Ph.D. (or Sc.D.) before 
tenure as an Associate.  Tenure for the associateships may begin any 
time after July 1, 2005, but not later than February 1, 2006.  As 
mentioned above, for the 2005 program the annual base salary, subject 
to taxes, will be $55,700 and allowances will be paid to cover travel 
and moving expenses.  These postdoctoral positions are two year 
appointments. To obtain the necessary application forms, please contact 
the NRC directly at:

Research Associateship Programs
The National Academies
500 5th Street, NW, GR322A
Washington, DC 20001
email: rap at nas.edu
website: http://www.national-academies.org/rap

The deadline for filing a formal application for the associateships at 
NIST is February 1, 2005.

These research associateships are excellent opportunities for recent 
Ph.D. graduates who are seeking additional postdoctoral experience 
prior to accepting a permanent academic or industrial position; 
however, in the past, a number of these postdoctoral awardees have 
become permanent employees at NIST after completion of the research 
associateship.

If you would like more information concerning the NRC Postdoctoral 
Research Associateships, please contact us.  We can provide you with a 
booklet describing the NRC program and the specific research 
opportunities at NIST (or you can view the information at the NRC 
website listed above), and we would be glad to discuss potential 
research proposal topics. 

Adviser Information:

Salit, Marc L.
  (301) 975-3646
msalit at nist.gov

Duewer, David Lee
  (301) 975-3935
david.duewer at nist.gov

  O'Connell, Catherine
  (301) 975-3123
coc at nist.gov

  Wang, Lili
  (301) 975-2447
lili.wang at nist.gov




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