FDA Postdoctoral Fellowship - Nanotechnology/Polymer Chemistry
Research Project
This post-doctoral fellowship training opportunity is available at the Nanotechnology Core Facility, Office of Scientific Coordination, National Center for Toxicological Research, U.S. Food and Drug Administration at their Jefferson Laboratories in Arkansas. This fellowship is designed to provide advanced, hands-on regulatory science training for recent doctoral graduates interested in nanotechnology and polymer research relevant to FDA’s public health mission.
The Nanotechnology Core Facility supports FDA mission by developing and applying state-of-the-art analytical approaches to understand the characterization, safety, biocompatibility, and performance of nanomaterials used in regulated products.
- Development of novel analytical methods for the physicochemical characterization and detection of microplastics and nanoplastics
- Hands-on training in advanced analytical techniques, including:
- Pyrolysis or Thermogravimetric Analysis coupled to Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS)
- Variety of particle size measurement techniques in solution phase, such as Dynamic and static light scattering
- Separation techniques including size exclusion chromatography and asymmetric flow field flow fractionation
- Spectroscopic techniques including UV-Vis, FTIR, Raman, Mass, NMR
- Participation in high-quality, high-impact research projects aimed at standardized method and methodology development leading to publications
Mentor
The mentor for this opportunity is Anil Patri (anil.patri@fda.hhs.gov).
Learning Objectives
- Engage in structured research training under the mentorship of FDA scientists
- Collaborate within a multidisciplinary research environment
- Build technical experience, methodological rigor, and an understanding of regulatory science applications
Qualifications
- The qualified candidate should be currently pursuing or have received a doctoral degree (chemistry, physics, or engineering) in the relevant fields.
- Degree must have been received within the past five years or is anticipated to be received by 12/31/2026.
- Strong emphasis on nanotechnology or polymer chemistry.
- Prior experience with analytical instrumentation for characterizing polymers, obtaining and analyzing spectral data, a track record of research publications solving complex problems.