Postdoctoral Research Associate - Engineering

Postdoctoral Research Associate

We are seeking a qualified Postdoctoral Research Associate to join our team, working on both NSF ERC and DOE cyanobacterial bio grants. The successful candidate will focus on sustainable waste treatments and bio-productions. Key responsibilities include conducting fermentation, bioreactor operations, and cell growth analysis using imaging, OD analysis, and HPLC metabolite measurement. Additional duties involve microbial population analysis (16sRNA), chemistry analysis (N, P, metals), and statistical modeling. The role also entails lab management, including cleaning and safety monitoring, student mentoring, proposal and paper writing, and guest teaching for a bioprocess engineering class. The candidate will be responsible for project coordination and reporting.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities:

• Work under both NSF ERC center and DOE cyanobacterial bio grant, focusing on sustainable waste treatments and bio-productions.
• Fermentation, bioreactor operations and cell growth analysis (imaging and OD analysis, HPLC metabolite measurement).
• Microbial population analysis (16sRNA). Chemistry analysis (N, P, metals).
• Statistical modeling.
• Use of large language model for knowledge synthesis and RAG.
• Lab management, cleaning and safety monitoring, and student mentoring.
• Proposal and paper writing.
• Guest teaching for bioprocess engineering class.
• Project coordination/reporting.

Salary Range:

Base pay is commensurate with experience.

Required Qualifications:

Education: Ph.D., M.D. Or Equivalent Terminal Or Doctoral Degree.

Certifications: No specific certification is required for this position.

Work Experience: No specific work experience is required for this position.

Skills: Not Applicable

Driver's License: A driver's license is not required for this position.

More About This Job:

Required Qualifications Experience with large language models for knowledge synthesis and Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) is essential.

Preferred Qualifications:

Education: No additional education beyond what is stated in the Required Qualifications section.

Certifications: No additional certification beyond what is stated in the Required Qualifications section.

Work Experience: No additional work experience beyond what is stated in the Required Qualifications section.

Skills: Not Applicable

Accommodation:

If you are unable to use our online application system and would like an accommodation, please email CandidateQuestions@wustl.edu or call the dedicated accommodation inquiry number at 314-935-1149 and leave a voicemail with the nature of your request. All qualified individuals must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily and, if requested, reasonable accommodations will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship.

Pre-Employment Screening:

All external candidates receiving an offer for employment will be required to submit to pre-employment screening for this position. The screenings will include criminal background check and, as applicable for the position, other background checks, drug screen, an employment and education or licensure/certification verification, physical examination, certain vaccinations and/or governmental registry checks. All offers are contingent upon successful completion of required screening.

Benefits Statement:

Washington University in St. Louis is committed to providing a comprehensive and competitive benefits package to our employees. Benefits eligibility is subject to employment status, full-time equivalent (FTE) workload, and weekly standard hours. Please visit our website to view a summary of benefits.

EEO Statement:

Washington University in St. Louis is committed to the principles and practices of equal employment opportunity and especially encourages applications by those from underrepresented groups. It is the University's policy to provide equal opportunity and access to persons in all job titles without regard to race, ethnicity, color, national origin, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, protected veteran status, or genetic information. Washington University is dedicated to building a community of individuals who are committed to contributing to an inclusive environment – fostering respect for all and welcoming individuals from diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. Individuals with a commitment to these values are encouraged to apply.