Post-Doctoral Research Associate, Synthetic Biology, Center for Agricultural Synthetic Biology: UTIA

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

Full-time

Knoxville, TN, USA

Posted on Sep 24, 2026

Work on bioengineering plants as a chassis to achieve a variety of functions, including biosensing, development of molecular pesticides, development of molecular herbicides, and chloroplast engineering. The goals of this position will be to reimagine plants as engineered devices capable of achieving complex non-native functions. Yeast and bacterial systems are commonly used to validate components or assemble constructs prior to final installation in plants. Applicants should have strong experience in cloning, circuit design, and bioengineering with relevant publications to demonstrate their expertise. This is a grant-funded position and is contingent upon the continued funding of the grant. (Hiring 3 positions)

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!
Post-Doctoral Research work on bioengineering plants as a chassis to achieve a variety of functions, including biosensing, development of molecular pesticides, development of molecular herbicides, and chloropast engineering. This is a grant-funded position and is contingent upon the continued funding of the grant. (Hiring 3 positions)

Required Qualifications:

  • Education:

    • Post-Doctorate in molecular biology, cell biology, biotechnology, bioengineering or a related field, with official transcript provided as verification.

  • Experience:

    • Publications in molecular biology, cell biology, biotechnology, bioengineering or a related field.

    • Experience in bioengineering of at least one chassis organism.

    • Strong experience in cloning, circuit design, and bioengineering with relevant publications to demonstrate their expertise.
  • Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

    • Capable of thinking “outside the box”.

    • Meeting designated deadlines.

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:

    • Strong publication records

  • Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

    • Considerable drive and motivation

    • Excellent problem-solving skills

Work Location:

  • On-site at The University of Tennessee Agricultural Campus
  • Knoxville, TN

Compensation and Benefits:

  • Anticipated hiring range: $60,000-$80,000
  • 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.

  • A cover letter stating the applicant’s research experience, interests and possible starting date.
  • A CV

About The College/Department/Division:

CASB is a dynamic, multi-disciplinary research facility with > 30 researchers working on a variety of projects. CASB maintains a large portfolio of high-throughput instrumentation, including 4 automated liquid handling systems, a cell-sorter, a flow cytometer, a complete sequencing hub, microscopy facility, and LC/MS. While US Citizenship is not required for some projects, other project do require US Citizenship due to the requirements of the sponsor. As the projects are high-risk, high-reward, and focused on achieving aggressive milestones, applicants must be capable of thinking ‘outside the box’ and meeting designated deadlines.

Work on bioengineering plants as a chassis to achieve a variety of functions, including biosensing, development of molecular pesticides, development of molecular herbicides, and chloroplast engineering.

The goals of this position will be to reimagine plants as engineered devices capable of achieving complex non-native functions.

See more open positions at University of Tennessee Athletic Marketing Department