Postdoctoral Associate - Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering

Rice University

Houston, TX

On-site

Who this role is best for

A natural match if you have hands-on experience in synthetic biology and can work on-site in Houston.

Best fit for

Candidates with recent Ph.D. experience in synthetic biology or related fields and a track record of collaborative research.
— “Ph.D. in Bioengineering, chemical engineering biology, biochemistry, synthetic biology or closely related field by the start date”
Individuals who are skilled in molecular cloning and protein expression and can independently design experiments.
— “Experience conducting laboratory research in synthetic biology, molecular biology, bioengineering, or a related field”
Those with experience in data analysis using Python and a history of contributing to scholarly publications.
— “Experience mentoring students, training laboratory members, or contributing to scholarly publications and presentations”

Things to consider

This is a temporary position that may not be renewed beyond one year, depending on funding.
— “may be renewed based on continued funding availability, ongoing research needs, and performance”
The role is fully on-site, requiring in-person presence at the Rice University campus.
— “This position is exclusively on-site, necessitating all duties to be performed in-person at Rice University Campus”

How to stand out

Emphasize your experience with cell-free gene expression systems in your resume and interview responses.
— “Conducts research on the development and characterization of cell-free gene expression systems for programmable biological function”
Highlight your ability to train others and document research processes effectively.
— “Mentors undergraduate researchers and trains new laboratory members in relevant methods and workflows”
Showcase your proficiency in Python and quantitative data analysis tools.
— “Analyzes bioinformatics and other research data using Python and related computational tools”
Demonstrate your experience with mass spectrometry and its application in biological research.
— “Performs mass spectrometry-based characterization and quantitative analysis of experimental data”

Pace · SteadyCollaboration · MediumAutonomy · HighDecision Impact · Individual

Derived from job-description analysis by Serendipath's career intelligence engine.

What success looks like

develop and execute experimental approaches
advance experimental workflows
contribute to scholarly publications

Typical background

Ph.D. in Bioengineering, chemical engineering, biology, biochemistry, synthetic biology

Skills & requirements

Required

Cell-free Synthetic BiologyMolecular CloningProtein ExpressionMass SpectrometryBioinformatics

Preferred

PythonQuantitative Data Analysis

Stack & domain

Molecular_cloningProtein_expressionGene_expressionMass_spectrometryBioinformaticsPythonCommunicationChemical_engineeringBiomolecular_engineeringSynthetic_biology

About the role

Original posting from Rice University

Position Summary:
The Zhang lab in the George R. Brown School of Engineering and Computing at Rice University is seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate to contribute to research in cell-free synthetic biology. The postdoctoral associate will work with Dr. Yan Zhang and members of the research team to develop and execute experimental approaches involving cell-free systems, biological constructs, extracts, and related assays.
The position will contribute to the design, execution, analysis, and interpretation of research studies and will help advance experimental workflows as research questions and project needs evolve. The postdoctoral associate will collaborate with graduate students, research staff, and external research partners and will contribute to the documentation, communication, and dissemination of research findings.
Special Instructions to Applicants:
All interested applicants should attach a resume in the Supporting Documents section of the application, preferably in a PDF format to avoid any formatting issues.
Workplace Requirements:
This position is exclusively on-site, necessitating all duties to be performed in-person at Rice University Campus. Per Rice policy 440, work arrangements may be subject to change
Hiring Range: $50,000 - $55,000 annually
This is a one year, full-time, benefits eligible position funded by a grant, soft and/or restricted funds, and may be renewed based on continued funding availability, ongoing research needs, and performance.
Minimum Requirements:
Ph.D. in Bioengineering, chemical engineering biology, biochemistry, synthetic biology or closely related field buy the start date
No additional experience beyond graduate research required
Preferences:
Experience conducting laboratory research in synthetic biology, molecular biology, bioengineering, or a related field.
Hands-on experience with molecular cloning, protein and gene expression, and related experimental workflows.
Experience with mass spectrometry, bioinformatics, quantitative data analysis, and/or Python-based research tools.
Strong written and verbal communication skills and ability to work independently in a collaborative research environment.
Experience mentoring students, training laboratory members, or contributing to scholarly publications and presentations.
Essential Functions:
Conducts research on the development and characterization of cell-free gene expression systems for programmable biological function.
Designs and executes experiments involving molecular cloning, protein expression, gene expression, and related synthetic biology workflows.
Performs mass spectrometry-based characterization and quantitative analysis of experimental data.
Analyzes bioinformatics and other research data using Python and related computational tools.
Develops, evaluates, and refines experimental approaches as research objectives evolve.
Interprets research findings and identifies appropriate next steps in collaboration with the principal investigator and research team.
Prepares figures, manuscripts, conference presentations, and technical content for grant reports.
Collaborates with graduate students and other research personnel on shared projects.
Mentors undergraduate researchers and trains new laboratory members in relevant methods and workflows.
Maintains complete and accurate research records and documentation.
Performs all other duties as assigned.
Rice University HR | Benefits: https://knowledgecafe.rice.edu/benefits
Rice Mission and Values: Mission and Values | Rice University
Rice University is committed to ensuring Equal Employment Opportunity and welcoming the fullness of diversity into our candidate pools. Rice considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status. Rice also provides reasonable accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities. If an applicant requires a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, please get in touch with Rice University’s Human Resources Office via email at facstaffada@rice.edu for support.
If you have any additional questions, please email us at jobs@rice.edu . Thank you for your interest in employment with Rice University.

Source: Rice University careers