We have openings for multiple postdoctoral positions in our research group at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, located in Golden Colorado. I would appreciate it if you could please let graduate students and postdoctoral associates in your groups and departments know about this. Most of these positions will have start dates ideally around October 2018.
Interested candidates should send a cover letter and CV to gregg.beckham@nrel.gov
Lignin catalysis – design, synthesize, test, and characterize new catalysts for depolymerization and fractionation of lignin. Experience with lignin analytics and model compound synthesis is a plus, but not required.
Lignin analytics – design and conduct mass spectrometry and NMR spectroscopy of various solid and solubilized lignin samples in collaboration with biological and catalytic conversion projects. Advances in analytical methodology and discovery of new lignin intermediates from biological and catalytic conversion will be a critical component of this position.
Enzyme engineering – characterize, engineer, and evolve novel enzymes related to bacterial aromatic catabolism, including dioxygenases, hydroxylases, and novel enzyme targets discovered through ongoing systems biology experiments. This work will be in close collaboration with molecular biologists conducting in vivo experiments to discover enzymes and implement improved enzyme variants. Experience with metalloenzymes is preferred, but not required.
Metabolic engineering – conduct metabolic engineering in Pseudomonas putida, Acinetobacter baylyi ADP1, Bacillus coagulans, and other non-model bacteria to produce value-added compounds from C5 and C6 sugars. Applicants with systems biology expertise and/or bioreactor cultivation experience are preferred, but this is not required.
Polymer science and engineering – design new polymers based on novel bio-based compounds produced via novel metabolic pathways, such as those derived from aromatic catabolism. This position includes the design, synthesis, and characterization of new materials across a broad range of polymer material classes. This work also includes a strong emphasis on end-of-life considerations for efficient polymer recycling.
