Post-Doctoral Research Associate in Synthetic Biology - UTIA

(Multiple Positions)

The Center for Agricultural Synthetic Biology at the University of Tennessee is seeking several post-doctoral research associates to work in the laboratories of Dr. Scott C. Lenaghan and Dr. C. Neal Stewart, Jr.

The projects are currently funded by DARPA, DOE, USDA, and NSF awards and cover a variety of areas with a primary emphasis on pushing the limits of synthetic biology with regards to advanced gene regulation and organelle engineering in plants. The projects are highly interdisciplinary and prior experience with plants is not required, as yeast and bacterial systems are commonly used to validate components and drive innovation in more complex systems.

Applicants will focus on utilizing synthetic and molecular biology approaches to solve real-world challenges facing the energy, medical, agricultural, and biotechnology sectors. 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.

Applicants must have a PhD in molecular biology, cell biology, biotechnology, biomedical engineering or a related-field. Candidates who are in process of obtaining the degree may be considered but degree must be conferred by Summer 2025 with official transcript provided as verification.

Post-doctoral applicants must have demonstrated experience (publications) in molecular biology, cell biology, biotechnology, biomedical engineering, bioengineering or a related-field to be considered for this position. Preference will be given to applicants with strong publication records, considerable drive and motivation, and excellent problem-solving skills.

Due to the diversity of projects, applicants should specify in the cover letter their preferred research direction from the descriptions below:

1. Engineering logic circuits in plants to control heterologous gene expression for a variety of applications
2. Assembly of large synthetic DNA molecules for metabolic engineering in non-model species
3. Engineering a synthetic chloroplast genome in potato

The Lenaghan and Stewart labs and the Center for Agricultural Synthetic Biology at UT provide outstanding research facilities and a highly stimulating interdisciplinary research environment including a large team of postdocs, technicians, and graduate and undergraduate students.

Positions are full-time with benefits and available immediately for one-to-two years (depending on the immediate best-fit project) with a possibility of renewal for up to four years based on performance and continued funding. Salary is based on experience and qualifications according to UT policy.

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, has shaped leaders, changemakers, and innovative thinkers since its founding in 1794. The university is home to more than 38,000 students and 10,000 statewide employees—the Volunteers—who uphold the university’s tradition of lighting the way for others through leadership and service.

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The university holds a strong commitment to its land-grant mission of learning and engagement, with a tradition of service and leadership that carries that Volunteer spirit throughout the state and around the world. It has been ranked nationally as “Best Employer for New Graduates,” “One of America’s Best Large Employers,” and “Best Workplace for Women,” and has been designated as “Best Place for Working Parents” by Forbes Magazine.

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