Career Opportunities

A postdoctoral research associate position is available in Genomics and Environmental Research in Microbial Systems as part of the Sustainability Theme in the U.S. Department of Energy-funded Bioenergy Research Center (BRC), the Center for Advanced Bioenergy and Bioproducts Innovation (CABBI). The goal of the CABBI Sustainability Theme is to develop the predictive capability to determine which feedstock combinations, regions and land types, market conditions, and biofuels and bioproducts have the potential to support the ecologically and economically sustainable displacement of fossil fuels.

The postdoc is sought to support research on plant-soil-microbe interactions in bioenergy cropping systems (sorghum, sugarcane/energycane, and miscanthus) with regards to microbial interactions with sustainable feedstock development. This includes but is not limited to: investigating how highly productive perennial grasses alter deep soil carbon cycling; assessing how drought tolerance traits can reduce the carbon intensity of bioenergy crop production; and determining how oil-enhanced bioenergy crops alter soil carbon and nitrogen cycling. Job duties include designing and conducting field and laboratory experiments, developing and testing innovative methods to investigate plant-soil-microbe interactions, coordinating research activities with a large team of collaborators, mentoring graduate students, supervising undergraduates, writing manuscripts, and presenting at scientific conferences.

The postdoc work with Dr. Adina Howe and will collaborate with other researchers in the CABBI Sustainability, Feedstock Production, and Conversion Themes, including ecosystem modelers, microbial ecologists, and agronomists. The ideal candidate has creativity, independence, and the desire to learn new things. The start date is flexible, but ideally by January 2, 2025. The position is available on a year-to-year basis for up to two years, with annual renewal dependent on funding.

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an on-going basis without sponsorship.  

For further information about the position, please contact Dr. Adina Howe at adina@iastate.edu with subject line “CABBI Plant-Soil-Microbe postdoc application”.

Required Minimum Qualifications:

• Ph.D. or equivalent in microbiology, bioinformatics, ecology, biogeochemistry, soil science, or related field
• Experience with processing and analyzing soil metagenomes
• Experience with statistical analyses for metagenome datasets

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with large sequencing datasets
• Experience with bioinformatics and high performance computing
• Experience with laboratory and field research that demonstrates an ability to work in a collaborative environment.
• Strong organizational, writing, and oral communication skills as demonstrated by scholarly publications

Department Website: https://www.abe.iastate.edu/

Proposed Start Date: January 2, 2025

Proposed End Date or Length of Term: December 31, 2025

Number of Months Employed Per Year: 12 Month Work Period

Time Type: Full time

Application Instructions:

To apply for this position, please follow this link to the ISU job listing, click “Apply”, and complete the Employment Application. Please be prepared to enter or attach the following:

1. Resume/Curriculum Vitae
2. Letter of Application/Cover Letter

Illinois is a world leader in research, teaching, and public engagement. We serve the state, the nation, and the world by creating knowledge, preparing students for lives of impact, and addressing critical societal needs through the transfer and application of knowledge. Illinois is the place where we embrace difference. We embrace it because we value it. Illinois is especially interested in candidates who can contribute, through their research, teaching, and/or service, to the diversity and excellence of the Illinois community.

CABBI is seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate in the Jeremy Guest Research Group at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. We are seeking a qualified and motivated researcher to advance the sustainable design and deployment of biorefineries for the production of biofuels and bioproducts from novel feedstocks.

The successful applicant will integrate process modeling with techno-economic analysis (TEA) and life cycle assessment (LCA) under uncertainty to evaluate and prioritize research and development pathways for candidate products and processes in development by CABBI researchers and researchers from other DOE Bioenergy Research Centers. The postdoc will be in Dr. Guest’s research group, housed at the Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, and will collaborate with a strong cohort of faculty, postdocs, and graduate students in Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, Agricultural & Biological Engineering, Crop Sciences, Plant Biology, ACES (Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences), and other disciplines across the Feedstock Production, Conversion, and Sustainability Themes of CABBI.

The duties of the postdoc will focus on life cycle assessment (LCA), techno-economic analysis (TEA), and (depending on their interests and expertise) modeling feedstock production or biorefinery operations (i.e., biological and thermochemical conversions, separations, and related processes). In addition to detailed sustainability evaluations of technologies and feedstocks under development by the CABBI and the DOE, a target outcome of the work is to continue to develop a suite of open-source, accessible computational tools for rapid and robust TEA and LCA of candidate feedstocks, bioproducts/biofuels, and processes (BioSTEAM Development Group; https://github.com/BioSTEAMDevelopmentGroup). Expertise in some of the following areas is desired: LCA, TEA, conversions, separations, or programming in Python.

Required Qualifications:

• A Ph.D. in environmental engineering, chemical engineering, biotechnology, or other relevant field;
• Ability to work in a collaborative environment

Strong candidates will also possess some of the following attributes:

• Experience with LCA and tools such as GREET or openLCA;
• Experience with process engineering and simulation;
• Experience with programming;
• Evidence of scientific impact of their Ph.D. (e.g., published papers).

Postdoc applications will be reviewed as they are received until the positions are filled. Prospective postdocs should email the following materials to Prof. Jeremy Guest (jsguest@illinois.edu) with the subject line “CABBI Postdoc”: brief cover letter, curriculum vitae, names and contact information for three references, and up to two examples of scholarly output (e.g., published or submitted manuscripts). Preferred start date is as soon as possible, with the potential to start remotely. Positions are available for multiple years; however, annual renewal is dependent on funding, progress made by the individual, and career goals of the individual (mentoring plans will be tailored to meet the individual’s goals). All positions include a salary of $53,000-$55,000 per year and generous leave benefits. Eligible candidates will also receive a full benefits package including medical, dental, vision, and life insurance, along with retirement benefits.

For further information about the position, please contact Prof. Jeremy Guest, jsguest@illinois.edu.

The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, COVID-19 vaccination requirement, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.

Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodations portal, or by contacting the Accessibility & Accommodations Division of the Office for Access and Equity at 217-333-0885, or by emailing accessibility@illinois.edu.

Illinois is a world leader in research, teaching, and public engagement. We serve the state, the nation, and the world by creating knowledge, preparing students for lives of impact, and addressing critical societal needs through the transfer and application of knowledge. Illinois is the place where we embrace difference. We embrace it because we value it. Illinois is especially interested in candidates who can contribute, through their research, teaching, and/or service, to the diversity and excellence of the Illinois community.

CABBI is seeking full-time academic hourly workers in a plant breeding environment. Successful candidates will work on the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus and at the Illinois Energy Farm, south of campus. The work is in a plant breeding laboratory with bioenergy grasses including Miscanthus, sugarcane and their hybrids, to support a sustainable bioeconomy.

Responsibilities for the position:

• Conduct experiments on plant breeding and genetics of perennial grasses. Propagate and grow plants in the field, greenhouses and growth chambers.
• Collect data from research experiments, including use of high-throughput systems such as tablet computers, barcode readers, Bluetooth-enabled measuring devices.
• Tasks may also include dividing plants, repotting, tying up plants to stakes and cages in greenhouse, planting seed, transplanting seedlings in the field, mowing and weeding, operating irrigation equipment, operating and maintaining small equipment, labeling with accuracy, sampling plants, harvesting stems, harvesting plots in field, making crosses, harvesting and packing seed, digging up selections from the field, taking and entering data.

B.S. in Plant Science or related field required. Experience doing farm work, greenhouse work, and/or plant science experiments desired. Must be willing to work outside in heat or cold. Rate of pay starts at $15/hour.

TO APPLY: Applicants should submit a cover letter, CV, and contact information to Brent Berns, bdberns@illinois.edu.  Applications will be evaluated as they are received.

The University of Illinois conducts criminal background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer. Convictions are not a bar to employment. Other pre-employment assessments may be required, depending on the classification of Civil Service employment.

As a qualifying federal contractor, the University of Illinois System uses E-Verify to verify employment eligibility.

The University of Illinois is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action employer that recruits and hires qualified candidates without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability or veteran status. For more information, visit http://go.illinois.edu/EEO.

The Plant Molecular Physiology lab at University of Florida, headed by Professor Fredy Altpeter, is seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral research associate with experience in plant genetic engineering, molecular biology and project management to join our team. The research program focuses on designing feedstocks for biofuels and bioproducts using the CABBI “plants as factories” concept.

The successful candidate will apply existing CRISPR‐Cas9 systems to validate targets for crop improvement, develop multiplex genome editing strategies and transgenic approaches for metabolic engineering, and characterize genetically modified events under controlled environment and field conditions similar in scope to our recent publications: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27306903; http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/pbi.12411/epdf; http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/pbi.12833/full.

Extensive background in molecular genetics is essential, including analysis of RNAseq data, design and construction of complex vectors, plant tissue culture, biolistic gene transfer, molecular and phenotypic characterization of transgenic plants. Knowledge in plant metabolism, physiology and genomic regulation is desirable. This work requires excellent interpersonal and communication skills in English as well as excellent writing skills as demonstrated by a strong publication record in peer-reviewed journals. Recent graduates are encouraged to apply.

Please email your resume, cover letter, and contact information of  three references to the PI, altpeter@ufl.edu. The University of Florida is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, status as an individual with a disability, or status as a protected veteran. Salary will be competitive and includes benefits.

Application review will continue until a suitable candidate is identified. Start date is flexible.

Selected publications related to this position:

• Parajuli, S., Kannan, B., Karan, R., Liu, H., Garcia-Ruiz, E., Kumar, D., Singh, V., Zhao, H., Long, S.P., Shanklin, J., Altpeter, F. March 21, 2020. “Towards Oilcane: Engineering Hyperaccumulation of Triacylglycerol into Sugarcane Stems.” GCB Bioenergy. DOI: 10.1111/gcbb.12684. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/gcbb.12684
• Kannan, B., Jung, J.H., Moxley, G. W., Lee, S.M. Altpeter, F. 2017. TALEN mediated targeted mutagenesis of more than 100 COMT copies/alleles in highly polyploid sugarcane improves saccharification efficiency without compromising biomass yield. Plant Biotechn. J. (in press). http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/pbi.12833/full
• Altpeter F. et al. 2016. Advancing Crop Transformation in the Era of Genome Editing. Plant Cell. 28: 1510‐1520. http://www.plantcell.org/content/early/2016/06/22/tpc.16.00196.full.pdf+html
  Jung, J. H. and F. Altpeter. 2016. TALEN mediated targeted mutagenesis of the caffeic acid O‐methyltransferase in highly polyploid sugarcane improves cell wall composition for production of bioethanol. Plant. Mol. Biol. 92: 131‐142. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27306903
• Zale, J., J.H. Jung, J.Y. Kim, B, B. Patha, R. Karan, H. Liu, X. Chen, H. Wu, J. Candreva, Z. Zhai, J. Shanklin, F. Altpeter. 2016. Metabolic engineering of sugarcane to accumulate energy‐dense triacylglycerols in vegetative biomass. Plant Biotech. J. 14: 661‐669. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/pbi.12411/epdf

The Plant Molecular Physiology lab at University of Florida, headed by Professor Fredy Altpeter, is seeking a highly motivated Ph.D. student with experience in plant tissue culture and genetic engineering and molecular biology to join our team. The research program focuses on genome editing and metabolic engineering of sugarcane to improve crop performance and quality.

The successful candidate will apply existing CRISPR‐Cas9 systems to validate targets for crop improvement, develop genome editing strategies that do not leave a transgenic footprint in vegetatively propagated sugarcane, and characterize genetically modified events similar in scope to our recent publications: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27306903; http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/pbi.12411/epdf; http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/pbi.12833/full.

Hands-on experience with plant tissue culture and genetic transformation is essential. The ideal candidate will also be experience with vector construction, molecular and phenotypic characterization of transgenic plants. This work requires excellent interpersonal and communication skills in English as well as excellent writing skills as demonstrated by a strong publication record in peer reviewed journals.

Please email your resume, cover letter, GRE scores, GPA, and contact information of  three references to the PI, altpeter@ufl.edu. The University of Florida is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, status as an individual with a disability, or status as a protected veteran. Stipend will be competitive and includes benefits.

Application review will continue until a suitable candidate is identified. Start date is flexible.

Selected publications related to this position:

• Parajuli, S., Kannan, B., Karan, R., Liu, H., Garcia-Ruiz, E., Kumar, D., Singh, V., Zhao, H., Long, S.P., Shanklin, J., Altpeter, F. March 21, 2020. “Towards Oilcane: Engineering Hyperaccumulation of Triacylglycerol into Sugarcane Stems.” GCB Bioenergy. DOI: 10.1111/gcbb.12684. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/gcbb.12684
• Kannan, B., Jung, J.H., Moxley, G. W., Lee, S.‐M. Altpeter, F. 2017. TALEN mediated targeted mutagenesis of more than 100 COMT copies/alleles in highly polyploid sugarcane improves saccharification efficiency without compromising biomass yield. Plant Biotechn. J. (in press). http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/pbi.12833/full
• Altpeter F. et al. 2016. Advancing Crop Transformation in the Era of Genome Editing. Plant Cell. 28: 1510‐1520. http://www.plantcell.org/content/early/2016/06/22/tpc.16.00196.full.pdf+html
  Jung, J. H. and F. Altpeter. 2016. TALEN mediated targeted mutagenesis of the caffeic acid O‐methyltransferase in highly polyploid sugarcane improves cell wall composition for production of bioethanol. Plant. Mol. Biol. 92: 131‐142. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27306903
• Zale, J., J.H. Jung, J.Y. Kim, B, B. Patha, R. Karan, H. Liu, X. Chen, H. Wu, J. Candreva, Z. Zhai, J. Shanklin, F. Altpeter. 2016. Metabolic engineering of sugarcane to accumulate energy‐dense triacylglycerols in vegetative biomass. Plant Biotech. J. 14: 661‐669. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/pbi.12411/epdf