Career Opportunities

This position will work under the direction of Dr. Jeremy Guest within CABBI. One of the major challenges the world faces is how to provide sustainable sources of energy that meet societal needs as the population continues to grow. The Center for Advanced Bioenergy and Bioproducts Innovation (CABBI), with funding from the Department of Energy, will develop efficient ways to grow bioenergy crops, transform biomass into valuable chemicals, and market the resulting biofuels and other bioproducts.  CABBI integrates recent advances in agronomics, genomics, and synthetic and computational biology to increase the value of energy crops — using a “plants as factories” approach to grow fuels and chemicals in plant stems, an automated foundry to convert biomass into valuable chemicals, and ensuring that its products are ecologically and economically sustainable. This holistic approach will help reduce our nation’s dependence on imported fuels, thus increasing national security.

Job Summary

Lead modeling activities and systems analyses to investigate locality specific drivers of circular bioeconomy growth; prioritize biorefinery deployment scenarios for expansion of the circular bioeconomy; prepare manuscripts, public summaries, and conference presentations to disseminate research findings.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Analyze data and writing up results in manuscripts for peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations, and public-facing summaries (40%)
• Gather policies relevant to the circular bioeconomy and analyze their implications for feedstock-to-bioproduct costs and environmental impacts (20%)
• Develop Python scripts to characterize the financial and environmental implications of policies (20%)
• Design, perform, and/or oversee data collection, model development, and simulations to ensure data integrity, quality control, and protocol compliance (10%)
• Supervise undergraduate and graduate students assisting with this project, including training and tracking work performance and deliverables (10%)

Minimum Qualifications

• Ph.D. in environmental engineering or related field. Alternate degree and degree fields and combination of degree and degree field and experience will be considered/accepted depending upon the depth and nature of the experience and relevance of degree as it pertains to this position.
• A minimum of 3 years of experience in U.S. environmental regulations and compliance.
• A minimum of 3 years of experience in research and analysis related to nutrient management and/or recovery.
• Experience in characterizing nutrient flows from biorefineries.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience modeling nutrient recovery from wastewaters.
• Experience with geospatial analyses related to nutrient availability and demand.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Observe standards of professional conduct and strive for excellence including, but not limited to:
  • Accepting accountability and ownership of actions.
  • Assuring essential and strong organizational skills.
• Basic computer skills (MS Word, Excel) and knowledge of various data programs.
• Adaptability in accepting new challenges and responsibilities.
• Focus on attention to detail.
• Providing professional, quality, value added communications skills.
• Working collaboratively with employees and faculty to enhance research goals.
• Evidence of consistent use of good judgment, discretion, and tactful communication.
• Energy and enthusiasm for expressing the value of diverse cultures, fostering empathy, and improving organizations in the areas of access and representation.
• Knowledge and experience with office software and ability to learn custom systems.
• Ability to handle multiple priorities without direct supervision.
• Excellent written communications skills.

Appointment Information

This is a 100% full-time Visiting Academic Professional position, appointed on a 12-month basis. This position could become permanent in the future pending success in the role and continued funding. Please be advised that visiting academic professionals are covered by a collective bargaining agreement between the Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois and the Visiting Academic Professionals/AAP-IEA-NEA union. For more information regarding the contract, please go to Visiting Academic Professionals.

The expected start date is as soon as possible after closing date. Salary range is $80,000 to $90,000 per year.  Salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience, while also considering internal equity. The University of Illinois offers a wide variety of benefits, including paid leave and holidays.

Application Procedures & Deadline Information

Applications must be received by 6:00 pm (Central Time) on March 31, 2025. Apply for this position using the Apply Now button at the top or bottom of the original posting. Applications not submitted through https://jobs.illinois.edu will not be considered. Qualified candidates must upload: 1) a cover letter which details qualifications noted above; 2) resume or CV; and 3) the names and contact information for three professional references. All requested information must be submitted for your application to be considered. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.  For further information, please contact Erica Hanson, OVCRI Human Resources, elhanson@illinois.edu.

For questions regarding the application process, please contact 217-333-2137.

The University of Illinois offers a very competitive benefits portfolio, depending on the position. Click for a complete list of Employee Benefits.

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, 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. Accommodations may also be requested on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions, or religion. 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.

The Matthews Research Group at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) is recruiting a qualified Postdoctoral Researcher through the Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment (iSEE) and the Institute for Genomic Biology (IGB) to work on research projects within the Feedstock Production Theme of the Center for Advanced Bioenergy and Bioproducts Innovation. The postdoctoral position is full-time, 1-year duration, with possibility of annual extension, contingent upon performance and funding.  Postdoctoral Research Associate positions may not exceed five years in duration.

Summary: A postdoctoral scientist with a strong background in plant modeling, particularly metabolic and crop growth and physiology modeling is sought to join a dynamic team of researchers. The successful candidate will collaborate with a vibrant research team working on modeling bioenergy crop metabolism and growth. The successful candidate will work with BioCro crop growth model framework to scale metabolic processes to crop growth, yield, and ecosystem impacts in annual and perennial bioenergy crops. As part of a large multi-institutional project, the successful candidate will be part of an interdisciplinary and highly collaborative work environment. The specific scientific goals of this position include 1) incorporating and using a process-based C allocation model to explore hypotheses around long-term C dynamics in perennial crops, and 2) using BioCro to explore in silico strategies for engineering oil production in bioenergy crops.

Qualifications: The successful postdoctoral candidate must have received a Ph.D. in a relevant field within the last 10 years, and prior experience in modeling plant systems. Experience in C++, R, or other programming languages are preferred, as is a proven publication record. Candidates should aspire to great oral and written communication skills.  Candidates must be willing and able to contribute their expertise and skills in collaborative projects within the Center. Candidates will be considered if graduation with a Ph.D. is expected by the targeted starting date.  Proof of receipt of PhD will be required.  The appointment is renewed annually, contingent upon the performance. Salary range is $55,000 to $60,000 per year.  Salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience, while also considering internal equity. The University of Illinois offers a wide variety of benefits https://www.hr.uillinois.edu/benefits, including paid leave.  Medical benefits are based on eligibility qualifications, including visa status.  Visa work sponsorship may qualify for this position.

Starting Date​: Ideal starting window ranges from Jan 15^th, 2025, to Dec 1^st, 2025, and prefer to start as soon as possible. The position will remain open until filled.

Application Process: To ensure full consideration, qualified candidates must send a cover letter, CV, and contact information of three references via email to ​ponte1@illinois.edu​. All requested information must be submitted to the above email in order for your application to be considered. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. Qualified applicants will be immediately reviewed upon receiving the application while the search may continue until the position is filled. Questions related to the positions should be addressed to mlmatth2@illinois.edu.

The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC)​: UIUC is a world leader in research, teaching and public engagement, distinguished by the breadth of its programs, broad academic excellence, and internationally renowned faculty and alumni. Illinois serves the world by creating knowledge, preparing students for lives of impact, and finding solutions to critical societal needs. ​UIUC ranks top worldwide in Environmental Science, Computer Science, and Agricultural Science. The University of Illinois is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. The administration, faculty, and staff embrace diversity and are committed to attracting qualified candidates who also embrace and value diversity and inclusivity. Visit ​www.inclusiveillinois.illinois.edu.

The University of Illinois conducts criminal background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer. The University of Illinois System requires candidates selected for hire to disclose any documented finding of sexual misconduct or sexual harassment and to authorize inquiries to current and former employers regarding findings of sexual misconduct or sexual harassment. For more information, visit Policy on Consideration of Sexual Misconduct in Prior 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. Minorities, women, veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. For more information, visit http://go.illinois.edu/EEO.

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.

 The Center for Advanced Bioenergy and Bioproducts Innovation (CABBI) at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is seeking a postdoctoral researcher to advance high-throughput tools for plant phenotyping in bioenergy crops. We conduct exciting research at the intersection of biology, remote sensing, and data analytics to investigate the factors contributing to the adaptability, sustainability, and productivity of these crops across the United States. 

Position Overview 

The researcher will investigate and validate the use of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UASs) and low-orbit high-spatial resolution satellites (e.g., Pleiades Neo, Planet SkySat) to determine traits of interest including spatial and temporal variability of plant composition and productivity affected by contrasting growing conditions across the country. 

The candidate will: 

• Define and monitor the field campaign to match data collection efforts of both ground-truthing and remote sensing data. 
• Implement scripting solutions for ingesting and calibrating remote sensing data and ground-truthing data for further analysis. 
• Investigate and implement modelling directions… 

Key Responsibilities 

• Coordinate and organize data collection efforts across multiple collaborating institutions. 
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams of plant scientists, computational biologists, and environmental scientists. 
• Publish findings in peer-reviewed journals and present at national and international conferences. 
• Mentor undergraduate students as needed. 

Qualifications: 

• A Ph.D. in computational biology, crop science, agricultural engineering, or environmental science. 
• Knowledge, experience, and proficiency at the intersection of plant/crop sciences, remote sensing principles, and digital image processing. 
• Demonstrated programming skills in Python for managing and automating the analysis of large datasets. 
• Strong background in statistical analysis and computer vision frameworks (e.g., PyTorch, Tensorflow). 
• Proven ability in scientific writing and code implementation (e.g., GitHub), preferably in remote sensing and computer science-related topics applied to plant science. 
• Self-starter, ability to work independently as well as collaboratively in an interdisciplinary team; excellent communication and organizational skills. 

Why work with us? 

This is an excellent opportunity to develop innovative research at the intersection of data analytics and remote sensing applied to plant science. This position is a key part of an initiative that strength the collaboration between multiple DOE-funded centers, which brings an unique setting to contribute as part of a multi-disciplinary team of scientists including experts in plant biology, computational biology, and environmental sciences. We are committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive research environment. As part of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, you will have access to world-class resources and facilities and the opportunity to engage with a large community of leading researchers at the forefront of plant science. 

Application Process 

Interested candidates should submit the following materials: 

• A cover letter describing your research interests, experience, and career goals. 

• A detailed curriculum vitae (CV). 

• Contact information for three professional references. 

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Please email your application materials as a single PDF file to Jennifer Quebedeaux (quebede2@illinois.edu). 

Contact Information 

For inquiries about the position, please contact: Sebastian Varela (sv79@illinois.edu), Bin Peng (binpeng@illinois.edu) or Andrew Leakey (leakey@illinois.edu). 

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

 Brookhaven National Laboratory is committed to employee success and we believe that a comprehensive employee benefits program is an important and meaningful part of the compensation employees receive. Review more information at BNL | Benefits Program 

ORGANIZATIONAL OVERVIEW 

Researchers in the Biology Department at Brookhaven National Laboratory seek to unravel and fully describe the complexities of biological systems from how plants make oils and other products to the role of proteins in disease. Our work helps to develop and make use of the tools and techniques of biochemistry, molecular genetics, structural biology, cell biology, and bioimaging. We also leverage the unique capabilities of Brookhaven’s National Synchrotron Light Source-II, Laboratory for Biomolecular Structure (LBMS) cryo-EM facility, and Center for Functional Nanomaterials, major research facilities open to scientists from around the world. Our research makes important contributions to fulfilling the missions of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Sciences and the DOE Office of Biological and Environmental Research. In addition, together with the Collider-Accelerator Department, the Biology Department manages the NASA Space Radiation Laboratory at Brookhaven, which is used by radiobiologists and physicists to study the effects of space radiation on both living and non-living systems. 

JOB DESCRIPTION: 

A postdoctoral position is available immediately at the Brookhaven National Laboratory, Biology Department under the supervision of Dr. Jorg Schwender. The successful candidate will conduct research within a DOE-funded Bioenergy Center aimed at designing feedstock plants for biofuel production and bioproducts, the Center for Advanced Biofuels and Bioproducts Innovation (CABBI) headed by the University of Illinois. CABBI operates on a “plants-as-factories” principle, wherein biofuels are synthesized directly within plant stems. Our collaborative team, comprising various organizations, is committed to metabolic engineering of plants, adhering to a Design-Build-Test-Learn methodology for integrated research. Within the Schwender group, the primary objective is to assess the outcomes of metabolic engineering endeavors aimed at enhancing lipid accumulation in plants. This evaluation involves the application of systems biology tools and isotope tracer studies to comprehensively understand and optimize lipid biosynthesis pathways. This position has a high level of interaction with an international and multicultural scientific community. 

Candidates with skills that are appropriate for this project (as demonstrated by peer-reviewed publications and/or relevant meeting presentations) are highly encouraged to apply. 

 Applications online at: https://jobs.bnl.gov/ 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: 

• Perform biochemical and chemical analysis to determine the consequences of various genetic manipulations of metabolism. 
• Integrate and interpret gene expression and other omics data. 

• Devise strategies to redirect carbon from sugars into desired product. 
• Collaborate with researchers from our partner institutions. 

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 

• Ph.D. in either of the fields of plant biology, biochemistry, chemical engineering with emphasis on metabolic engineering or a closely related discipline. 
• Knowledge in plant metabolism 
• Skills in Bioinformatics 
• Proven ability for disseminating research results by writing manuscripts and giving academic presentations. 
• Research experience demonstrated through a record of publications in peer-reviewed journals. 
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing. 
• Self-motivated and able to work both independently and as a team. 

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 

• Knowledge in plant lipid metabolism 
• Programming skills (MatLab, Python) 
• Knowledge of and experience in stable isotope tracer experiments and metabolic flux analysis. 
• Knowledge and experience in Constraint-Based Modeling of metabolic networks. 
• Experience in plant cultivation in growth chambers of green house space. 
• Experience in the use of gas chromatography coupled mass spectrometry or Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis. 

OTHER INFORMATION: 

• Candidates should submit a CV, a brief description of how their research experience relates to this position (less than 200 words) in a cover letter. 
• Review of applications begins immediately. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. 
• Initial 1-year appointment subject to annual renewal contingent on performance and funding. 
• Please contact Jorg Schwender (schwend@bnl.gov) if you have any questions. 
• BNL policy requires that after obtaining a PhD, eligible candidates for research associate appointments may not exceed a combined total of 5 years of relevant work experience as a post-doc and/or in an R&D position, excluding time associated with family planning, military service, illness or other life-changing events.
• Candidates must have received a Ph.D. in plant biology, biochemistry, chemical engineering with emphasis on metabolic engineering within the last five years or will have completed all Ph.D. requirements by the commencement of employment.
• Brookhaven Laboratory is committed to providing fair, equitable and competitive compensation. The full salary range for this position is $71900 / year. 

About Us 

Brookhaven National Laboratory (www.bnl.gov) delivers discovery science and transformative technology to power and secure the nation’s future. Brookhaven Lab is a multidisciplinary laboratory with seven Nobel Prize-winning discoveries, 37 R&D 100 Awards, and more than 70 years of pioneering research. The Lab is primarily supported by the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Science. Brookhaven Science Associates (BSA) operates and manages the Laboratory for DOE. BSA is a partnership between Battelle and The Research Foundation for the State University of New York on behalf of Stony Brook University. BSA salutes our veterans and active military members with careers that leverage the skills and unique experience they gained while serving our country, learn more at BNL | Opportunities for Veterans at Brookhaven National Laboratory. 

Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer 

Brookhaven Science Associates is an equal opportunity employer that values inclusion and diversity at our Lab. We are committed to ensuring that all qualified applicants receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, status as a veteran, disability or any other federal, state or local protected class. BSA takes affirmative action in support of its policy and to advance in employment individuals who are minorities, women, protected veterans, and individuals with disabilities. We ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation. *VEVRAA Federal Contractor 

BSA employees are subject to restrictions related to participation in Foreign Government Talent Recruitment Programs, as defined and detailed in United States Department of Energy Order 486.1A. You will be asked to disclose any such participation at the time of hire for review by Brookhaven. The full text of the Order may be found at: https://www.directives.doe.gov/directives-documents/400-series/0486.1-BOrder-a/@@images/file 

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.