Post-Doctoral Research Associate, Synthetic Biology, Center for Agricultural Synthetic Biology: UTIA

Work on bioengineering plants as a chassis to achieve a variety of functions, including biosensing, development of molecular pesticides, development of molecular herbicides, and chloroplast engineering. The goals of this position will be to reimagine plants as engineered devices capable of achieving complex non-native functions. Yeast and bacterial systems are commonly used to validate components or assemble constructs prior to final installation in plants. Applicants should have strong experience in cloning, circuit design, and bioengineering with relevant publications to demonstrate their expertise. This is a grant-funded position and is contingent upon the continued funding of the grant. (Hiring 3 positions)

Work on bioengineering plants as a chassis to achieve a variety of functions, including biosensing, development of molecular pesticides, development of molecular herbicides, and chloroplast engineering. 

The goals of this position will be to reimagine plants as engineered devices capable of achieving complex non-native functions. 

Required Qualifications:

• Education: 

  • Post-Doctorate in molecular biology, cell biology, biotechnology, bioengineering or a related field, with official transcript provided as verification.

• Experience: 

  • Publications in molecular biology, cell biology, biotechnology, bioengineering or a related field.

  • Experience in bioengineering of at least one chassis organism.

  • Strong experience in cloning, circuit design, and bioengineering with relevant publications to demonstrate their expertise.
• Knowledge, Skills, Abilities: 

  • Capable of thinking “outside the box”.

  • Meeting designated deadlines.

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis without need now or in the future for sponsorship for employment-based visa status.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience:

  • Strong publication records

• Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

  • Considerable drive and motivation

  • Excellent problem-solving skills

Work Location:

• On-site at The University of Tennessee Agricultural Campus
• Knoxville, TN

Compensation and Benefits:

• Anticipated hiring range: $60,000-$80,000
• Find more information on the UT Market Range structure here
• Find more information on UT Benefits here

Application Instructions:

To express interest, please submit an application with the noted below attachments. 

• A cover letter stating the applicant’s research experience, interests and possible starting date.
• A CV

About The College/Department/Division:

CASB is a dynamic, multi-disciplinary research facility with > 30 researchers working on a variety of projects. CASB maintains a large portfolio of high-throughput instrumentation, including 4 automated liquid handling systems, a cell-sorter, a flow cytometer, a complete sequencing hub, microscopy facility, and LC/MS. While US Citizenship is not required for some projects, other project do require US Citizenship due to the requirements of the sponsor. As the projects are high-risk, high-reward, and focused on achieving aggressive milestones, applicants must be capable of thinking ‘outside the box’ and meeting designated deadlines.