[Neutron] Federal Post‐Doctoral Fellowship Opening: Joint project between MedImmune & NIST

[Kushol Gupta]

See attached and please contact Steven Hudson (steven.hudson at nist.gov) for
more information.

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Federal Post‐Doctoral Fellowship Opening: Joint project between MedImmune &
NIST

There is an immediate opening for a post‐doctoral researcher at the
National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in Gaithersburg, MD
(about 25 miles from downtown Washington DC).

Project description: A major goal during formulation and fill/finish
operations of biologics such as monoclonal antibody therapeutics is to
minimize sub-visible particle (SVP) formation, yet the mechanisms
responsible for SVP formation are not well understood. The objective of this
project is to elucidate how flow encountered during manufacturing unit
operations and the presence of different material surfaces affect antibody
conformation and stability, viz., SVP formation. We will exploit in-situ
small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) under flow (Rheo-SANS) for this
purpose, using special fixtures to explore the effect of various surfaces
commonly encountered by monoclonal antibodies during clinical and commercial
manufacturing and fill/finish operations of drug products.

Collaboration: This is a joint project as part of a comprehensive
Cooperative Research & Development Agreement (CRADA) between MedImmune, a
member of the AstraZeneca group, and NIST for several joint projects. This
project is led by Dr. Jai Pathak (Formulation Sciences Dept., MedImmune),
Dr. Steven Hudson (Polymers and Complex Fluids Group, NIST), and Dr. Joseph
Curtis (NIST Center for Neutron Research). The post-doc will be a US federal
employee at NIST, and will have access to MedImmune scientific expertise as
well as laboratories at the global R&D headquarters of MedImmune, which are
located adjacent to the NIST campus in Gaithersburg, MD.

Suitable disciplines: Candidates who will have been awarded Ph.D. degrees in
Physics, Bio- Physics, Applied Physics, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemistry,
Biochemistry, Materials Science & Engineering, Chemical Engineering, and
Mechanical Engineering will be considered. Preference will be given to
candidates who have demonstrated competence in neutron scattering methods
and modeling. Previous background in rheology, computer simulation, protein
biophysics, surface adsorption is preferred, but not required. A strong
background in scattering methods and colloid and interface science will be a
distinguishing asset.

Salary and benefits: At a salary of $66,000 / year, the fellowship is funded
for a maximum of three years; renewal will be granted at the end of each
year based on satisfactory performance. For benefits information see
http://www.nist.gov/ohrm/benefits/index.cfm

Citizenship requirement: Interested applicants must have US citizenship,
since the successful candidate will be a US federal govt. employee. Non US
citizens will not be considered for this position.

Application procedure: If interested, please send a cv and cover letter to
Steven Hudson (steven.hudson at nist.gov).





Kushol Gupta, Ph.D.

Research Associate - Van Duyne Group

Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics

Perelman School of Medicine at The University of Pennsylvania

 <mailto:kgupta at upenn.edu> kgupta at upenn.edu / 215.573.7260 / 267.259.0082 /
<http://www.stwing.upenn.edu/~kgupta> www.stwing.upenn.edu/~kgupta