Environmental Biotechnology

Environmental Biotechnology

The Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering at North Carolina State University is seeking motivated graduate research assistants (Ph.D. level) to work in cross-disciplinary systems biology modeling project. Research areas include computational biology, metabolic engineering, biology, and genetics. Specific knowledge of plant biology and plant genetics is not mandatory but would be considered a plus. Transport of water and nutrients and the resistance of plants to pests and pathogens are dependent on lignin, a phenolic polymer and a structural component of many plant cell walls. Lignin is also a major barrier to efficient utilization of biomass for biofuel production. The project seeks to build models to describe how the lignin pathway in plants is regulated and to reveal new control mechanisms, leading to lignin polymers. The project will use a model woody plant and a systems approach including advanced quantitative methods of genomics, proteomics, biochemistry and structural chemistry, to provide a comprehensive analysis of the regulation of lignin biosynthesis. The goal is to use quantitative models to guide strategies for improved plant productivity, production of materials, and biofuel. The engineering component of this project will focus on modeling (i.e., bioreaction network analysis, flux balance analysis, simulating systems of ODEs) and integration of specific systems data generated by collaborators working in areas of molecular genetics, genomics, proteomics, biochemistry and chemistry. Useful skills include but are not limited to knowledge of graph theory, optimization theory, and biochemical reaction kinetics. The research will involve working in collaboration with interdisciplinary researchers on campus. The successful applicant should have a strong academic record and excellent communication skills. Highly motivated candidates with a MS in Environmental Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Microbiology, Chemical Engineering or other related discipline are encouraged to apply. Applicants should submit a detailed resume, unofficial transcript, a statement of research interests, and the names and contact information of at least two referees to Professor Joel Ducoste at jducoste@ncsu.edu. Review of applications will begin immediately and the positions will remain open until filled.