Special Instruction to Applicants: Please attach a cover letter and a CV in the Supporting Documents section of the application.

Position Summary

The Lab for Synthetic Macromolecular Assemblies (PI: George Lu, website link) at the Department of Bioengineering at Rice University has openings for postdoctoral fellows. The ideal candidates may have one of the following expertise: (1) microbiology and genetic engineering, (2) ultrasound physics and imaging method, or (3) mammalian synthetic biology. Outstanding candidates without the listed expertise are welcome to apply. The recruited postdoctoral fellow will lead an independent project in a broad range of areas including ultrasound imaging of cellular processes, engineering therapeutic cells for cell therapies, engineered living materials, and biomanufacturing. Candidates are welcomed to directly approach the PI through emails to discuss potential opportunities and projects.

Rice Bioengineering is one of the top biomedical engineering departments with its graduate program consistently ranked among the top 10 in the country, and the lab is well funded by awards from NIH, Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas, Welch Foundation, Mathers Foundation, and John Dunn Foundation.

All candidates should have strong written and oral communication skills, and will also be expected to aid in the supervision of junior lab members and the preparation of research proposals. Please specify whether sponsorship for a visa is needed during your application. Applications for postdoctoral fellowships will be encouraged, including both external and internal ones such as Rice University Academy of Fellows.

Consistent with the National Research Council's report, Convergence: Facilitating Transdisciplinary Integration of Life Sciences, Physical Sciences, Engineering, and Beyond, we are seeking candidates who have demonstrated the ability to lead and work in research groups that "... [integrate] the knowledge, tools, and ways of thinking..." from engineering, mathematics, and computational, natural, social and behavioral sciences to solve societal problems using a convergent approach.

We seek the greater representation of women, minorities, people with disabilities, and veterans in disciplines in which they have historically been underrepresented; to attract international students from a wider range of countries and backgrounds; to accelerate progress in building a faculty and staff who are diverse in background and thought; and we support an inclusive environment that fosters interaction and understanding within our diverse community. Rice University is strongly committed to nurturing the aspirations of faculty, staff and students in an inclusive environment.

Rice University is an Equal Opportunity Employer with a commitment to diversity at all levels and considers for employment qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status

Essential Functions

• Leads a project on ultrasound imaging, genetic engineering of mammalian cells, gene therapies, nanomaterials, computational protein design or another discipline relevant to the lab's research
• Develops independent research interest as a future leader of a research team.
• Publishes papers and presents findings at national and international conferences.
• Mentors and trains junior research team members, such as PhD candidates, masters students and undergraduates
• Assists with proposal development to obtain research funding
• Assists with equipment setup, protocol development and role modeling best practices in rigorous science, record-keeping, lab safety and being a team player in the lab
• Supports project management and collaboration across institutions or disciplines
• Conducts laboratory experiments on ultrasound, genetic engineering, protein biochemistry, and/or cellular engineering
• Leads projects in the broadly defined synthetic biology and protein engineering field
• Performs all other duties as assigned

Skills Required

• Familiarity with literatures on small-animal ultrasound imaging, genetic engineering of mammalian cells or another discipline relevant to the lab's research.
• Knowledge of molecular biology, protein biochemistry, bioengineering and chemistry
• Proficiency in (or ability to learn) genetic engineering, molecular cloning, molecular biology assays, bacterial culture
• Proficiency in (or ability to learn) molecular cloning, molecular biology assays, bacterial culture
• Proficiency in (or ability to learn) imaging techniques and image analysis

Required Qualifications

• PhD in bioengineering, biochemistry, materials science, chemistry or a related field
• No experience required
• Skills Required
  • Curiosity, enthusiasm and drive to tackle challenging technical problems and complex biological questions drawing from literature, carefully designed experiments and models
  • Strong listening and verbal communication skills and ability to present in group meetings and conferences
  • Enthusiasm for leadership, assisting team members and creating a collaborative working environment
  • Ability to work independently, collaboratively and professionally
  • Strong written communication and understanding of manuscript and peer review process

Preferred Qualifications

• Skills of (or ability to learn) genetic engineering, molecular cloning, molecular biology assays, bacterial culture
• Skills of (or ability to learn) molecular cloning, molecular biology assays, bacterial culture
• Skills of (or ability to learn) imaging techniques and image analysis

Rice University is an Equal Opportunity Employer with commitment to diversity at all levels, and considers for employment qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, genetic information, disability or protected veteran status.

Current Rice University COVID policies, which include vaccination, face mask, testing, gatherings, occupancy limits, and travel policies can be found here: https://coronavirus.rice.edu/policies