The Chen lab at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) is recruiting one qualified Postdoctoral Researcher through the Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment (iSEE) to work on research project(s) within the Feedstock Production Theme of the Center for Advanced Bioenergy and Bioproducts Innovation (CABBI). The postdoctoral position is full-time, 1-year duration, with possibility of annual extension, contingent upon performance and funding. 

Summary: A postdoctoral scientist with a strong background in plant molecular biology and physiology to join an interdisciplinary team of researchers. The successful candidate will collaborate with dynamic research teams working on the improvement of sugar accumulation and nitrogen use efficiency in sorghum as feedstocks for bioenergy and bioproducts. The successful candidate will lead efforts in identifying candidate genes from transcriptomic analysis and evaluate effects on sugar accumulation and nitrogen use efficiency after engineering them into sorghum. 

The candidates will work closely with faculty, postdoctoral researchers, graduate students and undergraduate students that are focusing on genetics and genomics, plant physiology, and sustainability, which provides a highly collaborative and engaging work environment. We also actively collaborate with other researcher groups to move the overall CABBI projects forward. 

Starting Date: Ideal starting window ranges from May 1st 2023, to July 1st, 2023 (negotiable), prefer to start as soon as possible. 

Application Process: To ensure full consideration, qualified candidates must send a cover letter, CV, and contact information of three professional or academic references via email to ponte1@illinois.edu and lqchen77@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 lqchen77@illinois.edu. 

Qualifications: The successful postdoctoral candidate will have a strong Ph.D. background in plant physiology, molecular biology and biochemistry field, and a demonstrated publication record (e.g. at least one first-authored high-profile publication or accepted manuscript) is required. Experience with transcriptomic data analysis (standard bioinformatic analysis) or R preferred. Candidates will be considered if graduation with a Ph.D. is expected by the targeted starting date. Or candidates obtained the Ph.D. no more than five years ago. Candidates should have great oral and written communication skills. Proficiency in spoken/written English is mandatory.

--

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. 

About 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) will develop efficient ways to grow bioenergy crops, transform biomass into valuable chemicals, and market the resulting biofuels and other bioproducts. The Center for Advanced Bioenergy and Bioproducts Innovation (CABBI), a U.S. Department of Energy-funded Bioenergy Research Center, is a collaboration between the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign’s Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment (iSEE) and the Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology (IGB).

Connections working at CABBI