to be accepted until this date, but those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled. Position description Postdoctoral Research Position Position: Postdoctoral Scholar Salary: Depends on experience Starting date: July 1, 2026 (preferred) The Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at the University of California, Irvine invites applicants for a Postdoctoral Scholar to join Dr. Han Li's laboratory of Metabolic Engineering and Synthetic Biology. This postdoctoral position is available in the area of Integrated Computational-Experimental Enzyme Engineering, focused on advancing biocatalysts through tightly coupled in silico design and high-throughput experimental validation. Research Focus The successful candidate will contribute to an interdisciplinary research program integrating: Sequence- and structure-based enzyme mining and design Homology-based discovery, SSN-guided mining, and ML-assisted sequence exploration Structure-guided active-site remodeling and conformational engineering De novo and semi-rational enzyme design Directed evolution theory and workflow development Library design strategies (focused, combinatorial, and machine-learning-guided) Evolutionary trajectory analysis and fitness landscape modeling Integration of predictive algorithms with experimental iteration cycles High-throughput screening and selection platform development Microplate, droplet, cell-free, or growth-coupled systems UPLC, LC, and GC-MS based screening assay development Automation and data-driven optimization Biochemistry and Chemical biology Design, synthesis, and interface biology with small molecules Enzyme kinetics characterization and mechanistic enzymology Biocatalytic process development and translation Cell-free and whole-cell systems Kinetic and thermodynamic analysis Scalability and industrial feasibility The program emphasizes mechanistically informed enzyme engineering, quantitative design principles, and translational relevance. We value candidates who are intellectually rigorous and interested in bridging theory, AI/ML tools, and state-of-the-art computational protein design methods with experimental implementation. Qualifications Required: Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, Bioengineering, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Computational Biology, or a related field. Demonstrated expertise in enzyme engineering, protein design, or related areas as closely related to the research areas mentioned above. Experience spanning both computational and experimental domains is preferred. Strong organization and communication skills. Interested candidates should send a cover letter, curriculum vitae, and contact information for at least 3 references to our online RECRUIT system at https://recruit.ap.uci.edu/JPF10062 Basic qualifications (required at time of application) Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, Bioengineering, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Computational Biology, or a related field. Application Requirements Document requirements Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V. Cover Letter Statement of Research (Optional) Reflective Teaching and Mentoring Statement - See our guidance for writing a reflective teaching statement . (Optional) Reference requirements 3 required (contact information only) Apply link: https://recruit.ap.uci.edu/JPF10062 About UC Irvine The University of California, Irvine is an Equal Opportunity Employer... Job location Irvine, CA

to be accepted until this date, but those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled. Position description Postdoctoral Research Position Position: Postdoctoral Scholar Salary: Depends on experience Starting date: July 1, 2026 (preferred) The Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at the University of California, Irvine invites applicants for a Postdoctoral Scholar to join Dr. Han Li's laboratory of Metabolic Engineering and Synthetic Biology. This postdoctoral position is available in the area of Integrated Computational-Experimental Enzyme Engineering, focused on advancing biocatalysts through tightly coupled in silico design and high-throughput experimental validation. Research Focus The successful candidate will contribute to an interdisciplinary research program integrating: Sequence- and structure-based enzyme mining and design Homology-based discovery, SSN-guided mining, and ML-assisted sequence exploration Structure-guided active-site remodeling and conformational engineering De novo and semi-rational enzyme design Directed evolution theory and workflow development Library design strategies (focused, combinatorial, and machine-learning-guided) Evolutionary trajectory analysis and fitness landscape modeling Integration of predictive algorithms with experimental iteration cycles High-throughput screening and selection platform development Microplate, droplet, cell-free, or growth-coupled systems UPLC, LC, and GC-MS based screening assay development Automation and data-driven optimization Biochemistry and Chemical biology Design, synthesis, and interface biology with small molecules Enzyme kinetics characterization and mechanistic enzymology Biocatalytic process development and translation Cell-free and whole-cell systems Kinetic and thermodynamic analysis Scalability and industrial feasibility The program emphasizes mechanistically informed enzyme engineering, quantitative design principles, and translational relevance. We value candidates who are intellectually rigorous and interested in bridging theory, AI/ML tools, and state-of-the-art computational protein design methods with experimental implementation. Qualifications Required: Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, Bioengineering, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Computational Biology, or a related field. Demonstrated expertise in enzyme engineering, protein design, or related areas as closely related to the research areas mentioned above. Experience spanning both computational and experimental domains is preferred. Strong organization and communication skills. Interested candidates should send a cover letter, curriculum vitae, and contact information for at least 3 references to our online RECRUIT system at https://recruit.ap.uci.edu/JPF10062 Basic qualifications (required at time of application) Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, Bioengineering, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Computational Biology, or a related field. Application Requirements Document requirements Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V. Cover Letter Statement of Research (Optional) Reflective Teaching and Mentoring Statement - See our guidance for writing a reflective teaching statement . (Optional) Reference requirements 3 required (contact information only) Apply link: https://recruit.ap.uci.edu/JPF10062 About UC Irvine The University of California, Irvine is an Equal Opportunity Employer... Job location Irvine, CA