Faculty Positions in Synthetic Biology, Microbial Physiology and Ecology, Biochemistry

Faculty Positions in Synthetic Biology, Microbial Physiology and Ecology, Biochemistry

Electrobiomaterials Institute at Northeastern University invites applications for multiple faculty positions to begin, Jan 15, 2021.

The newly formed Electrobiomaterials Institute, directed by Derek Lovley, occupies newly built space in the recently completed Materials Corrosion and Protection building on the Hunnan campus, Northeastern University, Shenyang, China. The institute conducts basic research on electromicrobiology and the identification and characterization of novel, sustainably produced, electronic materials. Electromicrobiological process have profound impacts on the corrosion of materials as well as bioenergy applications and the biogeochemical cycling of carbon and metals. Electroactive microorganisms are the source of ‘green’ electronic materials with applications in neuromorphic computing, biomedical sensing, and sustainable electricity generation. However, the understanding of the diversity of electroactive microbes, and how they electrically interact with man-made and environmental materials, is in its infancy. Also, new strategies are required for designing bio-based electronic materials, characterizing their properties, and producing them at scale.

Multiple researchers interested in the following areas are sought:

1. Microbial corrosion mechanisms, including extracellular electron exchange, and its mitigation.

2. Design and characterization of microbially produced sustainable electronic materials.

3. Living functional biofilm materials for bioelectronics, biosensors, and corrosion protection.

Positions Available

Full Professor

Basic requirements: Scholars under the age of 45 who have a track record of publication in high visibility journals and outstanding achievements in the area of interest.

Associate Professor

Basic requirements: Scholars preferably under the age of 35. Substantial contributions to their field of research. Overseas education or international research collaboration experience preferred.

Postdoctoral Researcher

Basic requirements: Recent doctoral graduates with a publication record evidencing a high level of research productivity.

Salary, start-up funds, and relocation allowance are commensurate with the position rank 

To apply, please submit the following materials: (1) cover letter; (2) curriculum vitae; (3) brief research statement; (4) contact information for three references to: electrobiomaterials@gmail.com.

For further information please contact Derek Lovley at electrobiomaterials@gmail.com or Dake Xu at xudake@mail.neu.edu.cn. Application review will commence on February 1, 2021 and continue until the positions are filled.

Northeastern University

The Electrobiomaterials Institute is located at Hunnan, a new district in Shenyang, China, which is a technological industry-based development zone and pilot free trade zone. Northeastern University (NEU) was founded on April 26, 1923. In its history of over 90 years, the university has formed its unique spirit: “Striving constantly for improvement and behaving in conformity with truth”. It has a number of high-level scientific research achievements, such as the first analog computer, the first domestically produced computerized tomography (CT), the first piece of super steel, the new technology of smelting vanadium titanium magnetite, the energy-saving theory and technology of steel industry, the controlled rolling and controlled cooling technique, and the mixed intelligent optimization control technology. By establishing the first university science park in China, it has established a series of high-tech enterprises, such as the Neusoft Corporation and the Neunn Technology Inc., and formed its unique characteristics in the areas of technological innovation, technological transfer and industry-university cooperation.

NEU is situated in Shenyang, the central city of the Northeastern China, a key comprehensive university directly under the jurisdiction of China’s Ministry of Education. In September 2017, NEU was selected to the list of 42 universities and colleges that would participate in “Double First-class Initiative” in China. The university occupies a total area of 2,550,000 square meters, of which the architectural area amounts to 1,680,000 square meters. It has 4,538 faculty members, among whom 2,711 are full-time teachers. The university has 5 academicians of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, 4 foreign academicians, 18 scholars who are selected into “National High-level Personnel of Special Support Program”, 23 winners of “The National Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars”, 16 winners of the “Joint Research Fund for Overseas Chinese Scholars and Scholars in Hong Kong and Macao”, 102 who are selected into the “New Century Excellent Talents Support Project”, and 14 who are selected into “the National Outstanding Talents Project”. The university has 4 innovation groups of the National Natural Science Foundation and 3 innovation teams of the Ministry of Education. It has more than 100 research institutes including 3 national key laboratories, 4 national engineering (technology) research centers and 3 national engineering laboratories. Besides, it has 2 national collaborative innovation centers and 3 collaborative innovation centers of Liaoning province.