2025 PhD Graduate - Biomaterials Scientist/Engineer Post-Doctoral Fellow

Biomaterials Scientist/Engineer Post-Doctoral Fellow

Are you passionate about developing biomaterials and using biological materials to solve national security challenges?

Do you thrive in a diverse, highly-collaborative, and dynamic scientific environment?

Are you a creative person that has the ability to work across scientific disciplines to conduct impactful research, overcome technical and logistical challenges, and solve today's national security and national health challenges?

If you answered yes to these questions, we're looking for someone like you to join our team in the Biological Sciences Group at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Lab.

We are seeking a Biomaterials Scientist/Engineer Post-Doctoral Fellow to support a thriving team of material scientists, chemists, and biologists. As part of the Research and Exploratory Development Department, our group conducts basic and applied research across a wide range of biomaterials-related applications. These include encapsulation of small molecules and biologics as well as development of materials for use in advanced tissue culture applications. In this role, you support existing work in the design of materials for these applications. You will apply traditional and state-of-the-art approaches to the development of novel materials at the forefront of biomaterials discovery.

• Advance ongoing efforts in biomaterials development, including the design, synthesis, and evaluation of hydrogels, nanomaterials, and biologically-integrated materials.
• Leverage microbiology, particularly involving non-model organisms, to study and engineer microbes at the interface of biomaterials.
• Perform material characterization using techniques such as rheology, spectroscopy, microscopy, or scattering to understand material performance.
• Conduct basic and applied research and development across diverse projects that employ the use of biomaterials.
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships across the Department, Laboratory, and with external sponsors.
• Drive experimental execution by leading study designs and assisting associate-level staff with troubleshooting and data analysis.
• Collaborate with a broad team of scientists with diverse expertise.
• Communicate key findings both internally across teams and externally to sponsors.
• Participate in the biology and APL community, and present data at lab meetings and to department management.

You meet our minimum qualifications for the job if you have...

• Ph.D. in biology, bioengineering, biomedical engineering, chemical engineering, materials or related field.
• Extensive experience incorporating living systems into materials.
• Hands-on experience working with hydrogels and/or polymeric biomaterials.
• Demonstrated ability to perform molecular biology assays.
• Proficiency in using confocal microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), micro-CT or other imaging modalities for biomaterials analysis.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills, including the ability to lead and contribute to teams from any position.
• The ability to obtain and maintain a Secret level security clearance. If selected, you will be subject to a government security clearance investigation and must meet the requirements for access to classified information. Eligibility requirements include U.S. citizenship.

You'll go above and beyond our minimum requirements if you have...

• Demonstrated abilities to develop nanomaterials to support advanced synthetic biology applications in microbial, mammalian, or plant systems.
• Hydrogel design and tuning properties for controlled release, cell encapsulation, or mechanical performance.
• Developing and characterizing DNA hydrogels or DNA nanotechnology platforms.
• Tissue engineering or organ-on-a-chip experience.
• Bioprinting technologies and scaffold design for advanced tissue models.
• In vitro model experience.
• Experience producing biological materials.
• Chemical synthesis experience.
• Knowledge of synthetic biology, including the integration of genetic elements with materials systems.
• Experience with characterization of materials using rheology, dynamic light scattering/electrophoretic light scattering, and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA).

Why Work at APL?

The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) brings world-class expertise to our nation's most critical defense, security, space and science challenges. While we are dedicated to solving complex challenges and pioneering new technologies, what makes us truly outstanding is our culture. We offer a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere where you can bring your authentic self to work, continue to grow, and build strong connections with inspiring teammates.

At APL, we celebrate our differences of perspectives and encourage creativity and bold, new ideas. Our employees enjoy generous benefits, including a robust education assistance program, unparalleled retirement contributions, and a healthy work/life balance. APL's campus is located in the Baltimore-Washington metro area. Learn more about our career opportunities athttp://www.jhuapl.edu/careers.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, creed, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, occupation, marital or familial status, political opinion, personal appearance, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.APL is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals of all abilities, including those with disabilities. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in any part of the hiring process, please contactAccommodations@jhuapl.edu.

The referenced pay range is based on JHU APL's good faith belief at the time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as geographic location, work experience, market conditions, education/training and skill level with consideration for internal parity. For salaried employees scheduled to work less than 40 hours per week, annual salary will be prorated based on the number of hours worked. APL may offer bonuses or other forms of compensation per internal policy and/or contractual designation. Additional compensation may be provided in the form of a sign-on bonus, relocation benefits, locality allowance or discretionary payments for exceptional performance. APL provides eligible staff with a comprehensive benefits package including retirement plans, paid time off, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, flexible spending accounts, education assistance, and training and development. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.