Assistant/Associate/Full Professor of Bioengineering: Synthetic Biology (2 positions)

The Chronicle Of Higher Education, Inc.; Eugene (OR); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Oregon's Knight Campus invites applications for two open-rank positions in Bioengineering: Synthetic Biology. We seek candidates building innovative research programs in experimental/translational synthetic biology and computational synthetic biology, with an emphasis on engineering biological systems and quantitative design.

Appointments are 9-month basis, with the opportunity for expansion based on funding and program needs; applicants should show leadership in mentoring,

Qualifications

• Doctorate in Engineering, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Computer Science, or related discipline from an accredited institution of higher education.
• Evidence of successful mentoring of trainees at any level (undergraduate, graduate, postdoctoral, etc.).
• Record of research excellence appropriate to career stage in synthetic biology, biological engineering, systems biology, computational biology, or related fields, evidenced by peer-reviewed publications and extramural funding.
• Demonstrated commitment to fostering an inclusive environment through research, teaching, mentoring, or service.

Education

Doctorate in Engineering or related discipline

Evidence of successful mentoring of trainees

Record of research excellence in synthetic biology or related fields

Commitment to fostering an inclusive environment

Job description

Assistant/Associate/Full Professor of Bioengineering: SyntheticBiology (2 positions)

Department: Knight Campus Department ofBioengineering

Rank: Assistant/Associate/Full Professor (OpenRank)

Annual Basis: 9 Month

Positions Available: 2

Application Deadline

October 31, 2026; position open until filled

Required Application Materials

• To receive full consideration, applicants must submit a completeapplication including: A letter of interest that briefly expresses the candidate'senthusiasm for the role and highlights their track record ingrowing and strengthening community through collaborative effortsand coalition-building. (including a Google Scholar link)
• CV outlining work history and professional qualificationsrelevant to this position.
• Statement of current and future research interests andplans.
• Statement describing experience with inclusive teaching andmentoring practices that promote students' success.
• Names and contact information for three professionalreferences.

Position Announcement

1. Experimental & Translational Synthetic Biology:Examples include, but are not limited to, mammalian syntheticbiology; the design and construction of genetic circuits andbiosensors; metabolic and pathway engineering for biomanufacturingof chemicals, therapeutics, and sustainable materials; protein andenzyme engineering; genome editing and synthetic genomics tools;engineered cells, consortia, and living biomaterials; host-microbeand microbiome engineering; cell-free and in vitro syntheticbiology systems; magnetogenetics; and engineered cell and genetherapies and the platforms that support their manufacture.

Applicants should demonstrate a research program centered on theengineering of biological systems and technologies and employquantitative, predictive, and design-based approaches to create,modify, or control biological function.

2. Computational Synthetic Biology:Examples include, but are not limited to, computer-aided design,lab automation, and autonomous experimentation for thedesign-build-test-learn cycle; fitness landscape modeling andsequence-function prediction; genome-scale metabolic and dynamicalmodeling to optimize biomanufacturing and bioprocess design;machine learning, biological foundation models, and generative AIapproaches for protein, enzyme, genome, and regulatory sequencedesign; predictive modeling of engineered cells, microbialcommunities, biomaterials, and cell and gene therapy products;computational methods for genome engineering and synthetic genomedesign; design and analysis of engineered regulatory networks; andmulti-omics integration and quantitative modeling to guide thedesign and engineering of biological systems.

Department or Program Summary

The Department of Bioengineering is the largest academic unitwithin the Knight Campus. The Phil and Penny Knight Campus forAccelerating Scientific Impact is a bold initiative designed toaccelerate the translation of scientific discoveries intoinnovations that improve lives in Oregon, the nation, and beyond.Building on the University of Oregon's tradition ofinterdisciplinary collaboration, the Knight Campus advancesresearch partnerships, industry engagement, and experientialtraining for the next generation of scientists, engineers, andentrepreneurs.

Faculty expertise spans regenerative medicine, human performance,biofunctional materials, medical devices and biosensors, neuralengineering, and synthetic biology. With the opening of its secondresearch facility, the Knight Campus has doubled its capacity forbiomedical research and technology development, expanded space foracademic programs and startup incubation, and launched astate-of-the-art BioFoundry. Together, the two facilities providemore than 360,000 square feet dedicated to research, education,innovation, and entrepreneurship.

Additional information about the Knight Campus can be found atknightcampus.uoregon.edu

Minimum Requirements

• Doctorate in Engineering, Biology, Human Physiology, Chemistry,Physics, Computer Science, or related discipline from an accreditedinstitution of higher education.
• Evidence of successful mentoring of trainees at any level (e.g.,undergraduate, graduate, postgraduate, postdoctoral, peers).
• Record of research excellence appropriate to career stage insynthetic biology, biological engineering, bioengineering, systemsbiology, computational biology, or related fields, as evidenced bypeer-reviewed publications and extramural funding.
• Demonstrated commitment to fostering an inclusive environment, asevidenced through research, teaching, mentoring, or service.

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated expertise in experimental or computational syntheticbiology, including engineered biological systems, genomeengineering, synthetic genomics, biomanufacturing, biologicaldesign automation, machine learning-enabled biological design, orrelated areas.
• Demonstrated use of quantitative, predictive, and design-basedapproaches to engineer, modify, or control biological function andadvance synthetic biology through engineering innovation.
• A nationally recognized track record of scientific achievement asevidenced by an outstanding publication record and otherappropriate external indicators relevant to the individual'sseniority in the field.
• Experience working in complex, multi-stakeholder environmentswith the ability to build successfully at multiple interfaces(e.g., UO colleges and departments, other Oregon universities, andindustry).
• Demonstrated experience with large government agencies,foundations, industry, and philanthropy with a thoroughunderstanding of funding opportunities and pathways, and strategiesto successfully attract funding sufficient for the individual'sresearch program and ambitions as relevant to the individual'sseniority in the field.
• Demonstrated commitment to translating research discoveries intoapplications that improve human health.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversifying the pipeline ofparticipants in science training and careers.
• Demonstrated success in a pedagogical environment usingevidence-based pedagogical methods.
• Demonstrated service contributions and leadership in academia,research societies, government, and/or industry relevant to the individual's seniority in the field.

About the University

The University of Oregon is building a faculty committed to meetingthe needs of our changing student body and creating essentialknowledge for society. We encourage applications from individualswho want to join an institution committed to addressing complexproblems at all scales, and critical thinking andcross-disciplinary dialogue. We believe the way to create thefaculty we need is to develop the most inclusive applicant pool.Goal 03 of our strategic plan, titled Oregon Rising, is to Create aFlourishing Community. As outlined in Oregon Rising, "Flourishingis the holistic development and thriving of every individual in ourdiverse community achieved through growth, well-being, resilience,trust, belonging, robust connection, and sense of purpose. Aflourishing community is built on collective experience and is madestronger by our shared commitment to one another.

All offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of a background check.

The University of Oregon is proud to offer a robust benefits package to eligible employees, including health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off. For more information about benefits, visit ourwebsite.

The University of Oregon is an equal-opportunity institution committed to cultural diversity and compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The University encourages all qualified individuals to apply and does not discriminate on the basis of any protected status, including veteran and disability status. The University is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. To request an accommodation in connection with the application process, please email us or call 541-346-5112.

UO prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy (including pregnancy-related conditions), age, physical or mental disability, genetic information (including family medical history), ancestry, familial status, citizenship, service in the uniformed services (as defined in federal and state law), veteran status, expunged juvenile record, and/or the use of leave protected by state or federal law in all programs, activities and employment practices as required by Title IX, other applicable laws, and policies. Retaliation is prohibited by UO policy. Questions may be referred to the Office of Equal Opportunity and Access. Contact information, related policies, and complaint procedures are listed here.

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