JOB SUMMARY

The Qiao Lab in the Department of Nutritional Sciences, College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources (CAHNR) at the University of Connecticut is seeking to hire a Postdoctoral Research Associate with a background in food biomaterials innovation and microencapsulation techniques for targeted delivery of bioactive products. The incumbent will lead the development of microencapsulated particles from food biopolymers and natural bioactive compounds for broad-spectrum applications including animal feed, edible food packaging, and human dietary supplements, etc. The project will be carried out at the Department of Nutritional Sciences under CAHNR Innovation and Entrepreneurship faculty member Dr. Mingyu Qiao ’s supervision.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The successful candidate will be responsible for the following tasks:

• Optimize biopolymer separation technologies from food and natural products using environmentally friendly techniques.
• Formulate microencapsulated particles from biopolymers and natural bioactive compounds and study the controlled-releasing behavior using multiple instruments, techniques, and bioassays.
• Participate in manuscript writing for publication in scientific journals and/or presentations.
• Participate in patent filing and grant writing.
• Mentor/train graduate and undergraduate students.
• Lead or participate in the formation of startup companies.

The candidate will have access to state-of-the-art research facilities and equipment and gain significant expertise working at the intersection of research and commercialization. The candidate is encouraged to develop their own research directions and fields of interest and will be fully supported by the College and University to form startup companies in related fields.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Ph.D. or equivalent, with a background in food science and engineering, chemistry, pharmacy, chemical engineering, materials science and engineering.
• Experience with biomaterials research and microencapsulation techniques and instruments.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Direct experience with spray-drying microencapsulation techniques and equipment.
• Direct research experience with biopolymers (polysaccharides/proteins) and essential oils.
• Working experience in related industries is highly desired.
• Experience in founding or running startup companies is highly desired.

APPOINTMENT TERMS

The start date for this position may be as early as February 10, 2023. This is a full-time, annually renewable position contingent upon performance and available federal funding. Salary will be commensurate with experience.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Employment of the successful candidate is contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment criminal background check.

TO APPLY

Please apply online at https://hr.uconn.edu/jobs , Staff Positions, Search #497085 to upload a resume, cover letter, and contact information for three (3) professional references. Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled. For additional questions, please contact Dr. Mingyu Qiao (mingyu.qiao@uconn.edu ).

This job posting is scheduled to be removed at 11:55 p.m. Eastern time on January 22, 2023. 

All employees are subject to adherence to the State Code of Ethics which may be found at http://www.ct.gov/ethics/site/default.asp .

The University of Connecticut is committed to building and supporting a multicultural and diverse community of students, faculty and staff. The diversity of students, faculty and staff continues to increase, as does the number of honors students, valedictorians and salutatorians who consistently make UConn their top choice. More than 100 research centers and institutes serve the University’s teaching, research, diversity, and outreach missions, leading to UConn’s ranking as one of the nation’s top research universities. UConn’s faculty and staff are the critical link to fostering and expanding our vibrant, multicultural and diverse University community. As an Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity employer, UConn encourages applications from women, veterans, people with disabilities and members of traditionally underrepresented populations.