Post-Doctoral Research Associate In Weed Science, Center For Agricultural Synthetic Biology: Utia

JobID: 9797

Category: Research

JobSchedule: Full time

Posted Date: 2026-09-24T17:55:30+00:00

JobShift:

:

The postdoc will primarily be responsible for performing and coordinating CASB research on a new project for herbicide discovery. Candidate herbicides will be screened in medium throughput plant assays and then screened against a panel of crops and weeds. Molecular, cellular, and -omics-based mechanisms will be elucidated and the postdoc will be responsible for the herbicide biology aspect of the project. Collaborations will include scientists and staff within and outside of the university. Postdoc applicants who are interested in high throughput screening are especially encouraged to apply. Postdocs give presentations, write reports and write manuscripts intended for publication. The initial appointment is for two years with a mandatory 6-month probationary period, with a possibility of renewal for up to 5 years based on performance and continued grant funding.

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, has shaped leaders, changemakers, and innovative thinkers since its founding in 1794. The university is home to more than 38,000 students and 10,000 statewide employees-the Volunteers-who uphold the university's tradition of lighting the way for others through leadership and service.

UT Knoxville offers over 900 programs of study across 14 degree-granting colleges and schools. As Tennessee's flagship land-grant university, its footprint spans the entire state. The university holds the highest Carnegie classification for research activity and has deep partnerships with industry leaders and the US Department of Energy's largest multidisciplinary laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

The Knoxville campus serves and recruits for UT Knoxville, including the Institute of Agriculture and the Space Institute, as well as the UT Institute of Public Service.

UT Knoxville considers its employees its number one asset. With values that focus on work-life balance, compensation, and innovation leadership, all Vols are supported to advance professionally. Employees have access to career development and coaching, continued education, and an extensive list of development and training possibilities. The Volunteer employee experience implements structures and practices to attract and retain top-tier talent, fostering a strong staff community and supporting a culture of involvement and engagement for everyone.

The university holds a strong commitment to its land-grant mission of learning and engagement, with a tradition of service and leadership that carries that Volunteer spirit throughout the state and around the world. It has been ranked nationally as "Best Employer for New Graduates," "One of America's Best Large Employers," and "Best Workplace for Women," and has been designated as "Best Place for Working Parents" by Forbes Magazine.

Apply today and join the Tennessee Volunteer community!

Required Qualifications:

Education:

• PhD prior to joining the lab in Weed Science or a related field.

Experience:

• Must have demonstrated experience (publications) in weed science, plant biology, molecular biology, cell biology, biotechnology, bioengineering or a related-field to be considered.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:

• Excellent written and oral communication skills and the ability to work in a highly interdisciplinary team-based environment.

• Considerable drive and motivation, and excellent problem-solving skills.

• Must be capable of thinking 'outside the box' and meeting designated deadlines.

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis without need now or in the future for sponsorship for employment-based visa status.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience:
• Preference will be given to applicants with strong publication records.

Work Location:

• Location: Knoxville, TN University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture

• Onsite

Compensation and Benefits:

• Anticipated hiring range: $60,000-$80,000 per year

• Find more information on the UT Market Range structure here

• Find more information on UT Benefits here

Application Instructions:

To express interest, please submit an application with the noted below attachments:

• Resume

• Cover Letter

• Sample portfolio of your work. The portfolio could include PDFs, hyperlinks, and/or image files. When uploading images or work samples, please include clear labeling that includes your first and last name.

About The College/Department/Division:

CASB is a dynamic, multi-disciplinary research facility with > 30 researchers working on a variety of projects. CASB maintains a large portfolio of high-throughput instrumentation, including 4 automated liquid handling systems, a cell-sorter, a flow cytometer, a complete sequencing hub, microscopy facility, and LC/MS. While US Citizenship is not required for some projects, other project do require US Citizenship due to the requirements of the sponsor. As the projects are high-risk, high-reward, and focused on achieving aggressive milestones, applicants must be capable of thinking 'outside the box' and meeting designated deadlines.

The postdoc will primarily be responsible for:

• Performing and coordinating CASB research on a new project for herbicide discovery.
• Candidate herbicides will be screened in medium throughput plant assays and then screened against a panel of crops and weeds.
• Molecular, cellular, and -omics-based mechanisms will be elucidated and the postdoc will be responsible for the herbicide biology aspect of the project.
• Collaborations will include scientists and staff within and outside of the university.
• Postdocs give presentations, write reports and write manuscripts intended for publication.
• The postdocs will work in a team environment and will help train junior scientists and students.

The postdoc will primarily be responsible for:

• Performing and coordinating CASB research on a new project for herbicide discovery.
• Candidate herbicides will be screened in medium throughput plant assays and then screened against a panel of crops and weeds.
• Molecular, cellular, and -omics-based mechanisms will be elucidated and the postdoc will be responsible for the herbicide biology aspect of the project.
• Collaborations will include scientists and staff within and outside of the university.
• Postdocs give presentations, write reports and write manuscripts intended for publication.
• The postdocs will work in a team environment and will help train junior scientists and students.