Job Board

  • Postdoc position on engineering immune tolerance by combining mRNA technologies, nanoparticles and epigenetic editing

    The laboratory of Dr. Samira Kiani has at the University of Pittsburgh has an immediate opening for an outstanding, highly motivated, and self-driven postdoc candidate to join a collaborative research program on engineering immune tolerance by combining mRNA technologies, nanoparticles and epigenetic editing.
    Kiani’s lab is interested in using the designer DNA binding proteins such as Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeat (CRISPR) and Zinc Finger proteins to develop novel editing tools to address safety of gene therapies and develop strategies to engineer immune response. This project aims to specifically engineer immune tolerance against any desired antigen. The ideal candidate has strong background either in immunology, in vivo mouse models, nanoparticles or gene editing tools.
    Minimum/Basic Qualifications: MD or Ph.D. degree in a related field of study (genetics, immunology, biology, bioengineering, molecular biology, and/or cell biology). A good track record of publications is required.
    Appointment: This position reports to Dr. Samira Kiani and is situated at the Pittsburgh Liver Research Center and the main campus of Pittsburgh University School of Medicine. It is a full-time, benefits-eligible, fiscal appointment with immediate start date. Initially intended to be for one year but there is the possibility of renewal, dependent on available funding, performance, and the needs of the University. The salary follows the NIH Pay line scales for postdocs. Applications will be reviewed weekly until the search is closed. A background check is required for employment. The University of Pittsburgh is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer committed to excellence through diversity. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply.
    Interested candidates should contact Dr. Samira Kiani (skiani@pitt.edu) with their CV, cover letter, and contact information of at least two referees included in the email.

  • Project Manager – Task Force on Global Metrics and Technical Standards for the Bioeconomy

    Job Summary

    This post offers a truly exciting opportunity to be the Project Manager of a global task force focused on determining the engineering biology metrics and technical standards needed to accelerate the global bioeconomy.

    The project has key partners in the US (EBRC, NIST) as well as in Singapore at NUS and will involve extensive external stakeholder engagement with the international synthetic biology/engineering biology industry including start-ups and SMEs, policymakers, regulators, national measurement labs and bioindustry trade bodies and associations. These external engagements will feed into the organisation and coordination of three physical workshops in the US, EU and Asia with a fourth workshop bringing together all stakeholders to map a way forward.

    The post would suit an ambitious, enthusiastic person with strong program/project management skills, who is passionate about engineering biology and the future bioeconomy and the transition to a more sustainable future and is keen to play an international role.

    Duties and responsibilities

    You will oversee and coordinate the management of the project through regular meetings with partners and associated stakeholders and direct international stakeholder engagement. You will contribute to the organization of workshops and lead on the delivery of workshop reports. You will ensure good communication to the project funders and project partners and direct and lead the production, revision, and dissemination of a strategic roadmap including identifying technical contributors and reviewers and overseeing the work of the science writer.

    Essential requirements

    The task force project manager will have:

    • Degree or equivalent qualification/experience and knowledge of synthetic biology/engineering biology
    • Demonstrated success in a similar project
    • Excellent written and verbal communication skills
    • Experience in appropriate events management, including organising large and small project meetings and events, drafting agendas and taking minutes
    • Communications experience including producing marketing, social media and website material
    • Experience of coordinating complex funding bids and/or reports that involve multiple stakeholders
    • Proven ability to prioritise, plan ahead and manage a high volume of work to meet deadlines, to and ensure that the operation runs in an efficient and timely manner
    • Ability to work collaboratively and productively with colleagues and multiple stakeholders in different geographical locations

    Further Information

    This is a full time, fixed term position for up to 15 months. You will be based at South Kensington Campus.

    Should you require any further details on the role please contact: India Hook-Barnard (EBRC; ihb@ebrc.org) or Paul Freemont (Imperial College; p.freemont@imperial.ac.uk )

  • Postdoctoral designer of biological animal robots

    We are seeking experienced and highly motivated postdoctoral researchers to take part in the exciting new BABot (Biological Animal roBot) project, funded by the European Innovation Council, beginning October 1st, 2023.

    BABots are small animals whose nervous system is genetically reconfigured to produce novel behaviors. These creatures are intended to ultimately execute diverse tasks, such as protecting crops from pathogen invasion, clearing contaminants from soil or water, or entering the body to perform delicate clinical procedures. The BABot project will focus at this stage on the 1mm-long nematode worm, C. elegans as a pioneering BABot.

    Our lab at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem will be in charge of the design and construction of new genetic and neural circuits within the C. elegans nervous system, in order to produce artificially swarming worms that perform a sequence of coordinated tasks under a strict genetic biocontainment mechanism. This work will be performed in close collaboration with our BABot consortium partners, including experts in neurobiology, synthetic biology, collective behavior, robotics, and ethics, as well as a state-of-the-art agrotech company.

    Candidates should demonstrate a strong background and track record in some or all of the following areas:
    Synthetic biology
    C. elegans molecular biology and/or genetics
    Neurobiology

    In certain cases, Ph.D. applicants may also be considered.

  • Science Policy Postdocs

    The Engineering Biology Research Consortium (EBRC) and UC Berkeley are seeking postdoctoral scholars interested in science policy. Postdocs will leverage their previous training to work with EBRC programs and to conduct an individual research project.

    EBRC is a non-profit, public-private partnership dedicated to bringing together an inclusive community committed to advancing engineering biology to address national and global needs. We showcase cutting-edge research in engineering biology, identify pressing challenges and opportunities in research and application, and articulate compelling research roadmaps and programs to address these challenges and opportunities.

    Applications are being accepted for those with interest in the bioeconomy and related technical and policy influences and impacts, and those interested in any of our four focus areas: Technical Research Roadmapping, Security, Education & Workforce Development, and Policy & International Engagement. Applicants with particular knowledge, experience, and/or expertise in one of the five Application and Impact Sectors (i.e., Environment Biotechnology & Climate, Food & Agriculture, Energy, Health & Medicine, Industrial Biotechnology) and/or the four Technical Themes (i.e., Data Science, Engineering DNA, Host Engineering, Biomolecular Engineering) described in EBRC’s Engineering Biology: A Research Roadmap for the Next-Generation Bioeconomy (2019), are encouraged.  Roughly 75% of the postdoc’s time will be dedicated to EBRC projects related to bioeconomy and/or in the focus areas.

    Special Opportunity – Bioeconomy Assessment, Influence, and Impact:

    The EBRC postdoctoral scholar(s) will contribute to an analysis of the bioeconomy landscape in the US and opportunities and strategies to strengthen and grow the engineering biology sector of the economy. The postdoc will conduct interviews and reviews of literature and data to assess the capacity, participation, and potential impact of engineering biology tools, technologies, products, and people to influence production and consumption of a variety of resources. The postdoc can expect to gain significant experience in science policy analysis, writing, and communication.

    EBRC Focus Areas:

    Technical Research Roadmapping: Working with EBRC’s Roadmapping Director, postdocs in this focus area will develop and curate technical content EBRC’s research roadmaps. A national-scale effort, postdocs will engage with the EBRC membership and other subject matter experts by facilitating interactions with the working group, executing workshops and working meetings, and performing independent literature research to ensure the best expertise is brought to bear in material development. Postdocs will gain experience in effective engagement and project management with the research community and focus on advancing research programs and opportunities across engineering biology.

    Security & Synthetic Biology: The postdoc will develop and deliver papers, briefings, and course materials on security and engineering biology. EBRC approaches this topic bidirectionally asking both how advances in engineering biology affect the security landscape and how changes in security policy can influence engineering biology research and development practices. The postdoc will engage with stakeholders ranging from undergraduates to senior government policy makers, so a strong ability to tailor communications to a specific audience is necessary for success. The postdoc will have the opportunity to interact with the national security and policy communities on issues relevant to synthetic biology.

    Synthetic Biology Education: The postdoc will work closely with the Education working group and through independent research to understand and advance the synthetic/engineering biology education landscape and workforce pipeline in the US, with a focus on increasing diversity, equity, and inclusion. Currently, EBRC is focused on developing projects, programs, and resources for students and educators to strengthen engineering biology curricula, interest, and engagement. The postdoc will also engage in a landscaping effort to understand the needs and challenges for the engineering biology workforce pipeline towards the development of a roadmap for engineering biology education and integration with the EBRC technical roadmaps for engineering biology.

    Policy & International Engagement: The postdoc will work with the Policy & International Engagement working group on a wide range of topics not covered in the other three working groups. Efforts typically focus on US developments in the bioeconomy and how EBRC can effectively inform governmental decision making. This focus area is generally the focal point for preparing responses to formal RFIs. Internationally, EBRC is focused on understanding and engaging with the global bioeconomy, synthetic biology strategies in different countries, and multinational governance like the Convention on Biological Diversity.

    All EBRC postdocs will spend roughly 25% of their time working with Doug Friedman (EBRC President) on an agreed-upon individual science policy research project. Postdocs will develop their project based on a topic of interest and be consistent with EBRC’s overall mission and strategic goals. Strong projects will leverage the postdoc’s technical background, their policy area of interest, and EBRC’s network and relationships in the synthetic biology research community and throughout the US government.

    The EBRC Science Policy Postdoc is intended as a full time, one year appointment, made through UC Berkeley. Postdocs will be an integral part of the EBRC Team and will have the opportunity to learn and make significant contributions during their appointment. In addition to the independent and focus area projects outlined above, postdocs will participate in EBRC core activities (annual meetings and retreats); contribute to EBRC cross-cutting efforts regarding responsible innovation and diversity, equity, and inclusion; have opportunities for relevant training in science policy; and meet government officials and policymakers through EBRC events and, when possible, periodic trips to Washington, DC.

    Those interested are encouraged to send their CV and a Cover Letter as a single PDF to EBRC’s Executive Director India Hook-Barnard (ihb@ebrc.org) and copy postdoc@ebrc.org. In your cover letter, please indicate the focus area(s) of interest as well as initial ideas for your independent project.

     

    Diversity statement: EBRC is interested in candidates who will contribute to diversity and equal opportunity in higher education and the engineering biology field through their work.

    Family friendly statement: UC Berkeley has an excellent benefits package as well as a number of policies and programs to support employees as they balance work and family.

    The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. It is the policy of the University not to engage in discrimination against or harassment of any person employed or seeking employment with the University of California on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender, gender expression, gender identity, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, medical condition (cancer-related or genetic characteristics), genetic information (including family medical history), ancestry, marital status, age, sexual orientation, citizenship, or service in the uniformed services.

    For the complete University of California nondiscrimination and affirmative action policy see: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4000376/DiscriminatioHarassmentAffirmAction

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