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Understanding Cellular and Tissue Molecular-Mechanical Regulation for Self-Organization

National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, Bethesda, MD and surrounding area

Position Description: 

The National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB), a major component of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) is seeking exceptional candidates for a Post-Doctoral Fellow position in the Intramural Research Program, in the laboratory of Dr. Alexander X. Cartagena-Rivera.

The focus of this position is on the development and use of advanced Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) technologies for cellular and tissue mechanics work, with opportunities to work on high spatio-temporal resolution AFM and confocal fluorescent microscopies, image analysis, and mathematical modeling.

The Cartagena group seeks to understand the molecular-mechanical regulation of two important biological systems; (i) understand the material properties regulation of melanoma cells actomyosin cortex and molecular-mechanical variations between primary and metastatic solid tumor microenvironment, and (ii) understand the anisotropic mechanical properties of developmental and mature inner ear sensory and non-sensory epithelial tissues using a novel noncontact AFM approach. Our group also develops new AFM methodologies to study fast multiparametric and multidimensional cellular and tissue processes, and advances the state-of-the-art AFM imaging methods for high spatio-temporal and quantitative nanomechanical mapping.


The ideal candidate will have a Ph.D. degree in cellular biology, biophysics, biomedical or mechanical engineering, or related discipline, with some background in molecular cell biology and developmental biology, and a demonstrated ability to work in a multidisciplinary and diverse team. We are seeking a highly motivated individual who has a demonstrated record of productivity and success in scientific and engineering projects. The candidate must have experience on cellular and tissue mechanics, tissue culture, AFM imaging, optical imaging, and programming for data analysis (preferably MATLAB or R) and/or experimental devices control (preferably LabVIEW).

To Apply:

Salary is determined by the NIH stipend level for Post-Doctoral Trainees and Fellows. Applicants are invited to submit a curriculum vitae including a list of publications, a maximum one-page summary of research interests, and names and contact details of three referees to Dr. Cartagena-Rivera by email at

The National Institutes of Health is an equal opportunity employer. The NIH is dedicated to building a diverse community in its training and employment programs.