Postdoctoral Research Associate in Single Molecule Analytics

Lab

The Krishnan Lab works in the broad area of soft condensed matter at the nanometer scale and has a long‑standing interest in measuring and understanding the properties and interactions of molecular‑scale matter, e.g., biological macromolecules. Recently the group pioneered "molecular stereometry" – a new experimental approach to measuring a molecule's size and shape in the solution phase (Science, 2025). Our microchip‑based escape‑time technology platform now enables measurements of the physical properties of macromolecules such as their electrical charge, size and 3D conformation with unprecedented precision, one at a time and in real time (Nature, 2010;

Nature Nanotechnology, 2012, 2017; Science, 2025).

The project involves a combination of optical imaging, nanofabrication, data analysis, and biochemical familiarity and experience. We are looking for a highly motivated and driven postdoctoral researcher with a strong interest in single‑molecule measurements to join the group and contribute to a wave of ongoing developments deploying the escape‑time technology on a broad range of measurement problems in biology.

• Develop and perform single‑molecule fluorescence experiments using optical imaging setups.
• Build or modify experimental setups for optical imaging.
• Analyze data and perform basic biochemical work with proteins and DNA.
• Contribute to the deployment of escape‑time technology on diverse biological measurement problems.

• Expertise in single‑molecule fluorescence experiments and instrumentation.
• Strong interest in data analysis and basic biochemical techniques with proteins and DNA.
• PhD in physics, biophysics, biochemistry, physical chemistry, engineering, or a related area, or have submitted a PhD thesis prior to taking up the appointment.