"Assistant/Associate Research Scientist for Advancing Circular Bioeconomy Systems"

Job Details

Posting Number: F2443P

Working Title: Assistant/Associate Research Scientist for Advancing Circular Bioeconomy Systems

Department: CAES-Assoc Dean for Research

About the University of Georgia: Since our founding in 1785, the University of Georgia has operated as Georgia’s oldest, most comprehensive, and most diversified institution of higher education (https://www.uga.edu/). The proof is in our more than 235 years of academic and professional achievements and our continual commitment to higher education. UGA is currently ranked among the top 20 public universities in U.S. News & World Report. The University’s main campus is located in Athens, approximately 65 miles northeast of Atlanta, with extended campuses in Atlanta, Griffin, Gwinnett, and Tifton. UGA employs approximately 3,100 faculty and more than 7,700 full-time staff. The University’s enrollment exceeds 41,000 students including over 31,000 undergraduates and over 10,000 graduate and professional students. Academic programs reside in 19 schools and colleges, including our newly formed School of Medicine.

Posting Type: External

Employment Type: Employee

Benefits Eligibility: Benefits Eligible

Advertised Salary: $100,000

Anticipated Start Date: 10/01/2025

Job Posting Date: 08/05/2025

Open until filled: Yes

Location of Vacancy: Athens Area

EEO Statement: The University of Georgia is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or veteran status or other protected status. Persons needing accommodations or assistance with the accessibility of materials related to this search are encouraged to contact Central HR (hrweb@uga.edu).

USG Core Values Statement: The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 26 institutions of higher education and learning, as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found online at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct. Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found online at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653.

Classification Title: Researcher AC

Faculty Rank: Open Rank

Contract Type: Fiscal (12 mo.)

Tenure Status: Non-Tenure Track

Minimum Qualifications: A Ph.D. in biochemical/chemical/agricultural/systems engineering, or agricultural science, or qualitative biology or equivalent.

Position Summary: The College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES) at the University of Georgia seeks to recruit an Assistant or Associate Research Scientist to work on the Circular Bioeconomy Systems (CBS) initiative. This is a non-tenured track position with 95% research and 5% service responsibility. The position will be housed in the UGA CAES; however, the incumbent will be expected to work closely with faculty in the multidisciplinary teams from Colleges/Schools of Engineering, Forestry and Natural Resources, Arts and Sciences, Family and Consumer Sciences, and others. The candidate is expected to maintain an internationally renowned research program that produces and publishes work recognized and used by researchers and stakeholders around the world. The incumbent will report to the office of the CAES Associate Dean of Research. The incumbent will coordinate and draft proposals for external funding to support the CBS initiative. Although this position is predominantly a research appointment, the person will interact with undergraduate/graduate students and stakeholders, and contribute to teaching and outreach mission of the University.

Additional Requirements: A Ph.D. in biochemical/chemical/agricultural/systems engineering, or agricultural science, or qualitative biology or equivalent with strong background and proven success in modeling biophysical systems is required. The chosen candidate will be expected to show evidence of expertise in biophysical modeling, life-cycle-analysis, big-data, building digital twins, and latest modeling and AI techniques. Candidates with postdoctoral training and a strong publication record will be preferred. Internship/hands-on skills in biosystems industries and proficiency in preparing interdisciplinary grant proposals for external funding will be favored. The incumbent should be knowledgeable of the systems that produce biomass on land, and in water and controlled environmental systems, and scientific and technical processes that use biomass as feedstock for synthesizing materials, chemical and products for human needs. They should possess excellent inter-personal skills to aid collaboration and build consensus. The successful candidate will have excellent skills in written and oral communications and traits required to successfully work with multidisciplinary teams.

Duties/Responsibilities: The incumbent is expected to develop biophysical models and work with multidisciplinary teams, and coordinate and lead in building holistic, integrated biosystems, ecosystems, and socio-economic system models for identifying: a) grand challenges in advancing sustainable circular bioeconomy systems; b) critical knowledge, techniques and skills needed for addressing the challenges; c) priority actions for meeting short and long-term CBS goals; and d) methods to prototype and extend innovation for adoption by users.

Percentage Of Time: 100