NIST NRC Postdoctoral Fellowships in Measurement Science, Analytical Chemistry, Mass Spectrometry, and Materials Science National Institute of Standards and Technology in United States

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is inviting applications for the NRC Postdoctoral Fellowship program for the February 2026 cycle. This prestigious postdoctoral opportunity is designed for recent or soon-to-be Ph.D. graduates interested in advancing measurement science and standards in areas such as point-of-care pharmaceutical production, additive manufacturing, analytical chemical measurements, portable and transportable instrumentation, chromatography-free mass spectrometry, plastic analysis, compound identification, and more.

Research opportunities span several cutting-edge topics, including:

• Point-of-Care Pharmaceutical Manufacturing for Precision Medicine: Develop metrology and measurement science for distributed and portable pharmaceutical production, including microdispensing technologies, onsite quality assurance, and chemical validation. Projects may involve microdrop UV-Vis, fiber-enhanced Raman, and mass spectrometric quantification of pharmaceutical-laden drops.
• Mass Spectrometry Metrology for Trace Detection and Chemical Imaging: Focus on trace chemical detection and mapping of analytes from complex matrices using advanced mass spectrometric techniques. Research may include microfluidic and MEMS-based separations and the development of new sampling platforms.
• Micro- and Nanoplastics Chemical Characterization: Advance measurement science for the chemical characterization and quantification of micro- and nanoplastics in environmental samples, using mass spectrometry, pyrolysis-GC-MS, and machine learning approaches.
• Mass Spectrometry and Chemometrics for Forensic Science: Develop and apply chemometric techniques to analyze mass spectral and spectroscopic data for forensic applications, including drug classification, explosives detection, and trace evidence analysis.

Applicants should have a strong background in analytical chemistry, materials science, engineering, or related fields. Experience with mass spectrometry, chemometrics, or advanced instrumentation is highly desirable. The program is open to U.S. citizens who have earned their Ph.D. within the past five years. The fellowship offers a competitive stipend of $82,764 per year, a $3,000 travel allowance, and access to NIST's world-class research facilities and collaborative environment. The appointment is for up to two years.

To apply, candidates must identify and contact a prospective adviser and research opportunity at NIST, then submit their application through the National Academies website by February 1, 2026. For more information, visit the official NIST NRC postdoc program page or contact the listed supervisors.

Key research keywords: measurement science, analytical chemistry, mass spectrometry, pharmaceutical manufacturing, precision medicine, microplastics, chemometrics, forensic science, materials science, chemical imaging.