A new program in the Metrology for Gene Expression at the National Institute for Standards and Technology in Gaithersburg, MD, is under development and seeking enthusiastic and talented postdoctoral research candidates interested in exploring the basic measurement properties of microarrays. Our work will focus on understanding the performance of microarray gene expression analysis, through the process from RNA extraction, sample preparation, labeling, hybridization, detection, and data analysis. We invite interested candidates to apply for Postdoctoral Research Associateships available through the National Research Council (NRC) targeted at Ph.D. candidates who will graduate in 2005.  These research associateships are two-year appointments with an annual salary of $55,700.  Postdoctoral Research Associateships at NIST in all areas of research including chemistry, physics, materials science, engineering, and mathematics have been in place for some years. These positions are highly competitive and attract outstanding candidates. Typically, 40-50 of these associateships are awarded each year at NIST. The “Metrology for Gene Expression” program will be focusing on the measurement properties of microarrays, a technology that makes possible quantitative whole-genome studies in the course of a day. Microarrays, a relatively low-cost, high-throughput, combinatorial tool for measurements of nucleic acids and proteins, have revolutionized gene expression experiments. This technology is based on the affinity hybridization of sample-carried "target" molecules to probes that are typically immobilized in a spatial array. While this capability is revolutionizing the conduct of research in the biosciences, there are numerous scientific and technical questions regarding the reliability, validity, uncertainty, comparability, dynamic range, selectivity/specificity, and linearity of microarray results. Our emerging program will study these metrological properties through studying the molecular biology, chemistry, physics, and informatics of the entire measurement process. We invite inquiry from applicants who are interested in any facet of this multidisciplinary program. Our current team is composed of biologists, chemists, chemometricians and statisticians. We would welcome the addition of candidates experienced in any of these areas, as well as related but not represented fields. Applicants for these associateships must be U.S. citizens and must have completed all of the requirements for the Ph.D. (or Sc.D.) before tenure as an Associate.  Tenure for the associateships may begin any time after July 1, 2005, but not later than February 1, 2006.  As mentioned above, for the 2005 program the annual base salary, subject to taxes, will be $55,700 and allowances will be paid to cover travel and moving expenses.  These postdoctoral positions are two year appointments. To obtain the necessary application forms, please contact the NRC directly at: Research Associateship Programs The National Academies 500 5th Street, NW, GR322A Washington, DC 20001 email: rap@nas.edu website: http://www.national-academies.org/rap The deadline for filing a formal application for the associateships at NIST is February 1, 2005. These research associateships are excellent opportunities for recent Ph.D. graduates who are seeking additional postdoctoral experience prior to accepting a permanent academic or industrial position; however, in the past, a number of these postdoctoral awardees have become permanent employees at NIST after completion of the research associateship. If you would like more information concerning the NRC Postdoctoral Research Associateships, please contact us.  We can provide you with a booklet describing the NRC program and the specific research opportunities at NIST (or you can view the information at the NRC website listed above), and we would be glad to discuss potential research proposal topics. Adviser Information: Salit, Marc L. (301) 975-3646 msalit@nist.gov Duewer, David Lee (301) 975-3935 david.duewer@nist.gov O'Connell, Catherine (301) 975-3123 coc@nist.gov Wang, Lili (301) 975-2447 lili.wang@nist.gov [[alternative text/enriched version deleted]]