Opportunities & Jobs

Brandeis University – Tenure-Track Faculty Position in Synthetic Biology or Bioengineering

 We are seeking applications for a tenure-track faculty position in Bioengineering at the Assistant Professor level. We are looking for individuals excited to contribute to the development of a groundbreaking program that integrates engineering into the sciences, breaking free from traditional disciplinary boundaries.. We are particularly interested in candidates who will establish an independent research program in biomolecular engineering (design, directed evolution and engineering of biomolecules and biomolecular machines) or synthetic biology (synthetic cells, engineering of gene regulatory, cell biological and signaling pathways, and cellular computation and biomolecular logic design), with an eye to innovative applications that address societal challenges such as human health and environmental sustainability. We are looking for candidates who are enthusiastic about collaborating with our outstanding scientists with world-class strengths in biomaterials, structural biology, enzymology, mechanistic biochemistry, neuroscience, signaling and gene regulation, cell biology, and genome structure and repair. The successful candidate will be homed in either the Biology or Biochemistry department, determined through mutual agreement based on research interests. They will have the opportunity to participate in our NSF-funded Brandeis Bioinspired Materials Research Science and Engineering Center (MRSEC), and to recruit students from multiple Ph.D. programs, including Biochemistry and Biophysics, Molecular and Cell Biology, and Neuroscience.

•  First consideration will be given to applications received by November 30th, 2024 and will continue until the position is filled. The start date is flexible with a target of Fall 2025, pending budgetary approval.
• Applicants should submit a detailed curriculum vitae, a statement of teaching interests and a research plan, and a statement of contributions to diversity, equity, and inclusion to AcademicJobsOnline at https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/28825.   See also this link for a fuller description of the opportunity.

Travel Awards Available to Promote Research or Education Collaborations

Awards of up to $500 are available to registered network members for travel within the Mid-Atlantic region that has the purpose of catalyzing interactions among network participants and between networks. Considered will be travel for i) creating or planning new research collaborations in synthetic biology; ii) promoting the evolution or expansion of Mid-Atlantic Synthetic Biology Network; iii) promoting participation of students, trainees, early-career investigators, and under-represented individuals in STEM, in synthetic biology research; iv) facilitating workforce development in synthetic biology; or v) facilitating outreach to stakeholders and the public in regards to synthetic biology. To apply, e-mail Keith Kozminski (kkoz@virginia.edu) a request that includes the name and institutional affiliation of the traveler, date(s) of travel, destination, name(s) and institutional affiliation of potential collaborator(s), and a very brief budget and description of how the collaboration promotes or utilizes synthetic biology. Funds must be used within 6 months of award. These awards may not be used for travel to the annual symposium or other network-sponsored meetings or to conduct research. Individuals seeking support for travel to the annual symposium or network-sponsored meetings should refer to the relevant event announcements for specific guidance.

Awards for Theme Meetings

Network funds are available to support one-day, small group theme meetings to identify opportunities to leverage synthetic biology as an efficient modality to monitor, assess, and optimize biological materials that contribute to the utility and resilience of shared agricultural and water-based resources, especially in the Mid-Atlantic region. The primary goal of these meetings is to discern where synthetic biology can generate responsible solutions to current regional challenges that are better than current state-of-the-art and, in particular, solutions that integrate the research of Mid-Atlantic Synthetic Biology Network members. Inquires may be made to kkoz@virginia.edu or any member of the Executive Committee.

Funds Available for Website Development at Academic Institutions

Have you ever thought about creating a website for the synthetic biology community at your college or university? Have you wondered how to pay for it? MASBN has a limited number of website development awards of up to $2500 to help you toward that goal. Applications for these awards will be considered by the MASBN Executive Committee quarterly, as funds remain available.  If interested, please e-mail to Keith Kozminski (kkoz@virginia.edu) a request for funding, as a pdf, that includes the following information: Institution, name and contact information of the faculty member responsible for the development of the site, description of who will be developing the site, description of the anticipated content of the site, the target date for bringing the site online (must be within one year of receiving funding), and amount of funding requested with a budget justification.   Please submit applications on either  December 1, March 1, June 1, or September 1 for funding in the subsequent calendar quarter.  Applicants must join the network before submitting an application.