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The Padilla Lab is recruiting at the graduate and postdoctoral level. We are an interdisciplinary lab that utilizes a range of tools to study and advance RNA nanomedicine. A typical Padilla Lab member will spend their time synthesizing novel molecules, formulating nanoparticles, employing advanced characterization methods, performing cellular assays, and testing their creations in vivo — sometimes all in the same week!

If that range excites you, we want to hear from you.

We use one application form for all positions. Choose your level when you apply, and you’ll only see the fields relevant to you. Applications go directly into our review queue. Please apply through the form rather than by email so nothing gets lost.

Who we’re looking for

Postdoctoral fellows. We have three years of funding available for a postdoc to start as early as September 2026. Strong candidates have a PhD (or will defend soon) in chemistry, chemical/biomedical engineering, materials science, biophysics, or a related field, and a track record of high-impact research and publications. Backgrounds in chemical synthesis, nucleic acid delivery, solution biophysics (SAXS/SANS, AF4-MALS, AUC), immune engineering, and cell engineering are especially relevant, but we value scientific range over an exact match.

Graduate students. Prospective and current PhD students in Materials Science & Engineering and other Stanford PhD programs are welcome to reach out about rotations and projects — tell us what problems you want to work on.

A note on how joining works: students come into the lab through Stanford’s admissions, not by direct match. You’ll first need to be admitted to a Stanford PhD program, then contact us once you’re here — so the strongest first step is applying to the program that best fits your interests. Once admitted, we encourage incoming students to apply to the Chemistry/Biology Interface (CBI) Training Program, which supports interdisciplinary trainees across chemistry, engineering, and the biosciences.

Undergraduate researchers. Undergraduates are welcome to contact the lab beginning in 2027.

Apply

Questions about the lab

For questions about the research, projects, or fit that aren’t an application, you can reach me at mpad@stanford.edu. For applications, the form above is the fastest route; it lands directly in our review queue and we read every submission.