Employment Opportunities at CABBI
From postdoctoral and graduate student researchers, to lab technicians, to other support staff, the Center for Advanced Bioenergy and Bioproducts Innovation is looking for motivated team players.
Check out this page frequently for the latest position openings!
Current Openings
DESCRIPTION
Archbold Biological Station’s Buck Island Ranch (BIR) and Texas A&M (TAMU seek a full-time technician to work in a collaborative effort integrated within the Center for Advanced Bioenergy and Bioproducts Innovation (CABBI).
The research will be conducted at BIR, a biological station that operates as a full-scale working cattle ranch providing a unique platform for long-term agroecology research. This position will be supervised by Dr. Nuria Gomez-Casanovas (Assistant Professor in Regenerative System Ecology, TAMU) in collaboration with Dr. Elizabeth Boughton (BIR Research Director and Biologist).
The project investigates the environmental sustainability of sugarcane for biofuel production. Key objectives are to investigate how climate-smart strategies (green harvest, biochar) affect yields, belowground processes, and the regulation of greenhouse gases in bioenergy cropping systems.
The Position
This is a non-tenured, full-time, 7-month position and can be renewed annually for an additional two years, contingent on progress and the availability of funds. Duties may change as contract or grant turnover occurs. Competitive salary and full benefits.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
The successful candidate will have the opportunity to learn basic biogeochemistry skills and gain experience with a wide range of field and laboratory-based research techniques and equipment, as well as data compilation, processing, and analysis depending on experience. Field work includes assisting with maintenance of eddy covariance towers, direct measurements of soil trace gas emissions, and soil, water, and plant biomass sampling. In the lab, the technician will aid with soil, water and biomass sample processing, and preparing and maintaining field equipment and supplies. The successful candidate will train and supervise research interns that assist with field and lab work.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in biology, environmental science, chemistry, or related field; basic computer skills (MS Word, Excel)
Preferred Qualifications
- Laboratory and field biogeochemistry research experience (e.g. trace gas flux measurements, soil and water sampling, gas chromatography, eddy covariance)
- Experience working on farms and with farmers
- Experience working in subtropical and tropical sugarcane plantations and rangeland
- Demonstrated knowledge of troubleshooting environmental monitoring equipment
Location
The position is located at BIR, a 10,500-acre cattle ranch hear Lake Placid, FL, with potential shared housing available on site. See this documentary or this one about BIR.
To Apply
Send the following to Dr. Nuria Gomez-Casanovas at nuri.gomez-casanovas@ag.tamu.edu, Subject: ‘FL CABBI climate-smart project technician’
- letter of application
- resume or CV including relevant coursework and experience
- names, phone numbers, and email addresses of three references
Application deadline is May 7, 2024. The position will remain open until filled. Anticipated starting date in June, 2024.
Contact Dr. Gomez-Casanovas via email for more information.
Candidates must be eligible to work in the United States.
Archbold Expeditions is committed to integrating diversity, equity, and inclusion principles into our organization. Archbold does not discriminate on the basis of race, gender identity, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, age, ability, ethnicity, political ideology, religion, national origin, and all other classifications protected by federal, state, or local law.
Archbold Expeditions is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from members of underrepresented groups.
Please fill out this anonymous survey to contribute to our applicant database. Your response will not be associated with your application or shared with hiring managers.
CABBI seeks to hire a full-time Postdoctoral Research Associate in the Lab of Nuria Gomez-Casanovas at Texas A&M AgriLife Research Center at Vernon, TX. We seek a highly motivated and qualified researcher to assist the project leader (Assistant Professor in Regenerative System Ecology) in research projects related to investigating smart-climate solutions for cane cultivation in the Southern United States.
The successful candidate will contribute to groundbreaking research in understanding how climate-smart strategies (green harvest and biochar amendments) affect the biogeochemistry of cane in the Southeast US. The position is funded by the Sustainability Theme in the U.S. Department of Energy-funded Bioenergy Research Center (BRC), Center for Advanced Bioenergy and Bioproducts Innovation (CABBI). The Lab combines novel lab, field and modeling experiments in a holistic way to advance science at the nexus of Food, Energy and Environmental Security. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to join a vibrant and diverse research community (59 faculty-level Co-PIs, 184 postdocs and technicians, and 143 students) promoting a culture of collaboration and cross-disciplinary research. Our focus is to find answers to one of today’s grand challenges: How can we provide sustainable sources of energy that meet societal needs as the population continues to grow?
Responsibilities
- Design and conduct field and laboratory experiments with focus on carbon, nitrogen and water biogeochemistry using an array of state-of-the-art scientific methods (biometric, canopy/soil exchange chamber and stable isotopes).
- Supervise technicians and undergraduates.
- Coordinate research activities with a large team of collaborators.
- Present data in scientific meetings.
- Prepare manuscripts for publication.
Required Education and Experience
- A Ph.D. or the equivalent in ecology, biogeochemistry, soil science, or related field
- Experience with laboratory and field work
- Strong publication record in peer-reviewed journals
Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Excellent English writing and oral communication skills
- Strong organizational skills
- Ability to work in a collaborative environment
- Ability to multitask
- Ability to travel/drive to research sites in Florida and locations in the Southeast US
- Basic statistical skills
Desired Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Experience in quantitative approaches including eddy covariance technique as well as stable isotope, plant/soil/canopy exchange methods.
- Experience working with bioenergy crops.
- Ability to engage in modeling activities.
- Basic programming skills (R, Python…)
HOW TO APPLY
Applicants should upload
- A cover letter clearly explaining your research interests/experience and suitability for the advertised position (2 pages maximum)
- A resume or CV, and
- Names, phone numbers and e-mail addresses for three references
TO: https://tamus.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/AgriLife_Research_External/job/Postdoctoral-Research-Associate_R-069899
The position will remain open until filled. Contact Dr. Gomez-Casanovas via email (nuri.gomez-casanovas@ag.tamu.edu) with subject line ‘Postdoctoral Research Associate_ R-069899’ for more information.
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