Post-Doctoral Research Associate, Plant Biochemistry & Synthetic Biology- Department of Plant Sciences: UTIA

University of Tennessee Athletic Marketing Department
University of Tennessee Athletic Marketing Department

Full-time

Knoxville, TN, USA

Posted on Sep 17, 2026

A postdoctoral research associate position in plant biochemistry and synthetic biology is available in the laboratory of Feng Chen in the Department of Plant Sciences at the University of Tennessee. The successful candidate will employ interdisciplinary approaches — including molecular biology, biochemistry, and genomics — to elucidate plant biosynthetic pathways for secondary metabolites of interest, and to engineer these pathways into target crops for enhanced stress resistance. This is a grant-funded position and is contingent upon the continued funding of the grant.

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, has shaped leaders, changemakers, and innovative thinkers since its founding in 1794. The university is home to more than 38,000 students and 10,000 statewide employees—the Volunteers—who uphold the university’s tradition of lighting the way for others through leadership and service.

UT Knoxville offers over 900 programs of study across 14 degree-granting colleges and schools. As Tennessee’s flagship land-grant university, its footprint spans the entire state. The university holds the highest Carnegie classification for research activity and has deep partnerships with industry leaders and the US Department of Energy’s largest multidisciplinary laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

The Knoxville campus serves and recruits for UT Knoxville, including the Institute of Agriculture and the Space Institute, as well as the UT Institute of Public Service.

UT Knoxville considers its employees its number one asset. With values that focus on work-life balance, compensation, and innovation leadership, all Vols are supported to advance professionally. Employees have access to career development and coaching, continued education, and an extensive list of development and training possibilities. The Volunteer employee experience implements structures and practices to attract and retain top-tier talent, fostering a strong staff community and supporting a culture of involvement and engagement for everyone.

The university holds a strong commitment to its land-grant mission of learning and engagement, with a tradition of service and leadership that carries that Volunteer spirit throughout the state and around the world. It has been ranked nationally as “Best Employer for New Graduates,” “One of America’s Best Large Employers,” and “Best Workplace for Women,” and has been designated as “Best Place for Working Parents” by Forbes Magazine.

Apply today and join the Tennessee Volunteer community!
A postdoctoral research associate position in plant biochemistry and synthetic biology is available in the laboratory of Feng Chen in the Department of Plant Sciences at the University of Tennessee. The successful candidate will employ interdisciplinary approaches — including molecular biology, biochemistry, and genomics — to elucidate plant biosynthetic pathways for secondary metabolites of interest, and to engineer these pathways into target crops for enhanced stress resistance. This is a grant-funded position and is contingent upon the continued funding of the grant.

Required Qualifications:

  • Education:

    • PhD in Plant Biology or a related field is required.

  • Experience:

    • Demonstrated experience (e.g., publications) in plant biochemistry and metabolic engineering.

  • Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

    • Strong written and oral communication skills.

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis without need now or in the future for sponsorship for employment-based visa status.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Experience:

    • Experience in plant secondary metabolism is highly desirable.

Work Location:

  • Location: Department of Plant Sciences, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN
  • Onsite

Compensation and Benefits:

  • Find more information on the UT Market Range structure here
  • Find more information on UT Benefits here

Application Instructions:

To express interest, please submit an application with the noted below attachments. To be assured of full consideration, completed applications with all requested materials should be submitted on or before October 7, 2026.

  • Cover Letter describing research experience and interests, along with a possible starting date
  • Resume/CV

Point of Contact:

  • Feng Chen
  • fengc@utk.edu

About The College/Department/Division:

The Department of Plant Sciences, part of the Herbert College of Agriculture at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, addresses agricultural and environmental challenges through teaching, research, and Extension. We offer programs in plant sciences and landscape design, conduct research in crop production, genetics, plant physiology, and sustainable agriculture, and support growers and industry partners across Tennessee.

The successful candidate will:

  • Develop and test hypotheses on the plant biosynthetic pathways leading to secondary metabolites of interest.

  • Perform metabolic engineering in plants and evaluate transgenic plants for stress resistance.

  • Design and conduct research experiments, analyze data, and summarize results.

  • Contribute to scientific publications and conference presentations.

  • Mentor undergraduate researchers.

  • Work closely with the principal investigator to execute research objectives.

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