What are the responsibilities and job description for the Postdoctoral Associate - BioSciences position at Rice University?
Job Description
Special Instructions to Applicants : Please attach a CV and a brief statement of research experience and interests in the Supporting Documents section of the application in a PDF format . Please note that the applicant tracking system does not convert attachments in Word format successfully.
Position Summary
Dr. Caroline Ajo-Franklin's lab in the Department of BioSciences is looking to hire a Postdoctoral Research Associate in the field of Engineered Living Materials.
The Caroline Ajo-Franklin lab uses biophysics and synthetic biology to engineer and understand the interface between living microbes and non-living materials. We are particularly interested in the autonomous assembly of materials at this living / non-living interface for functional, sustainable material creation. Ultimately, our research has applications in environmental and human health, energy generation, and sustainable materials.
The ideal candidate is enthusiastically collaborative and will strengthen our multidisciplinary team of microbiologists, synthetic biologists, and biophysicists by providing new insight and technological knowledge we lack. The researcher must have a track-record of research accomplishment, strong oral communication skills, and interest in health applications (human and / or environmental). Key responsibilities include engineering and characterizing novel living materials, innovating new synthetic biology or protein engineering tools to create novel living materials, and / or innovating new biophysical or materials science approaches to characterize living materials. The candidate will also be responsible for training students in targeted areas of the researcher's Ph.D. expertise and newly developed techniques, communicating results, preparing results for publication, and assisting with group management of the lab and resources.
Essential Functions
- Design, engineer, and cultivate living materials using synthetic biology techniques, integrate mechanical functions into living materials, and perform characterization of material properties, including development of new methodology.
- Collaborate with other group members, and across institutions or disciplines, to develop new concepts, applications, and / or project plans to expand the field of engineered living materials.
- Mentor junior researchers, including providing technical suggestions and training, experimental advice, and guidance on project and data management.
- Communicate results with the rest of the team, our research sponsor, and at national and international meetings.
- Meticulously document, analyze, and maintain research data.
- Publish and present research findings, and assist with writing of grant proposals.
- Participate in lab management, organization, and safety as guided by the staff.
- Provides academic services to the department (i.e., teaches a course).
- Performs all other duties as assigned.
Required Qualifications
Required Skills
Preferred Qualifications
Rice University HR | Benefits : https : / / knowledgecafe.rice.edu / benefits-overview
Rice Mission and Values : Mission and Values | Rice University
Rice University is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to diversity at all levels. It considers for employment qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status.
About Us
Boasting a 300-acre tree-lined campus in Houston, Rice University is ranked among the nation's top 20 universities by U.S. News & World Report. Rice has a 6-to-1 undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio, and a residential college system, which supports students intellectually, emotionally and culturally through social events, intramural sports, student plays, lectures series, courses and student government. Developing close-knit, diverse college communities is a strong campus tradition, which is why Rice is highly ranked for best quality of life and best value among private universities.
