1-2 postdoc positions in Biofuels R&D at Virginia Tech (USA)
Protein Engineering and Synthetic Biology
Our research integrates engineering design principle with biology and chemistry to solve the most challenging tasks in biofuels (cellulosic ethanol and hydrogen) production from non-food biomass. The main challenges that we are addressing are (1) how to release sugars from biomass, and (2) how to convert sugar to desired fuels?
Applicants will conduct the biofuels-related projects: (1) increasing cellulase activity on insoluble cellulosic substrate by applying directed evolution (we have several unique selection and high-throughput selection methods under development), (2) clone, characterize and express hyperthermostable enzymes for in vitro synthetic biology projects (a beginning stage of low-cost, high-yield, greenest hydrogen production from sugars, highlighted by the UK Royal Socity), and (3) increase key enzyme performance by using directed evolution or rational design techniques.
Our lab is building the world-class leadership in biofuels field by several breakthroughs (see my representative papers).
Educational Requirement: Ph.D. degree in Applied Biology, Molecular Biology, Microbiology, Biochemistry, Biochemical Engineering, or relevant majors. The postdoc candidate must have good publications as the first author. The relevant experience in protein engineering and protein characterization is preferred. The applicant should be self-driven, be willing to learn new knowledge and technologies, have strong problem-solving ability, and have good communication skills.
Biofuels Laboratory Website
Representative Papers
Cellulase Engineering
Zhang Y.-H.P., Himmel E. M., Mielenz J.R. 2006. Outlook for cellulase improvement: Screening and selection strategies. Biotechnology Advances, 24(5): 452-481
Microbiology
Zhang Y.-H.P., and Lynd L.R. 2005. Cellulose utilization by Clostridium thermocellum: bioenergetics and hydrolysis product assimilation. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of USA 102:7321-7325
Synthetic Biology
Zhang Y.-H.P., Mielenz J.R., Evans B.R., Hopkins R.C., Adams M.W.W. 2007. High-yield hydrogen production from starch and water by synthetic enzymatic pathway. PLoS One 2(5): e456.
Bioprocess Engineering
Zhang Y.-H.P., Ding S.-Y., Mielenz J.R., Cui J.-.B., Elander R.T., Laser M, Himmel M.E., McMillan, J.D., Lynd, L.R. 2007. Fractionating recalcitrant lignocellulose at modest reaction conditions. Biotechnology and Bioengineering 97(2): 214-223
