Genetic Engineering of Robust Microbial Chassis for Advanced Sensing Applications

About the Research

A opportunity is available to lead research in Biotechnology (non-medical) for DEVCOM Army Research Laboratory at Adelphi, MD. Successful applicants will lead independent research efforts in the development of bi-directional communication between microbes and abiotic substrates facilitated through a synthetic biology approach to harness and control the microbes, a critical component in the development of fieldable living materials. Applicant may also support current efforts in the following areas: biomaterials, genetic engineering, automation and synthetic biology in the Synthetic Biology Tools Branch. Applicants should have experience in synthetic biology, molecular biology and microbiology.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead engineered robust novel microbial chassis for bi-direction communication in a living material for sensing
• Support current synthetic biology tool development, automation, and biomaterial efforts.
• Develop, learn and perform novel synbio approaches, workflows, and high throughput assays with state-of-the-art technology
• Write technical reports for internal and external publications
• Present research plans and findings at internal and external forums
• Work on a multi-disciplinary team and contribute to publications and patents

About HRED

The Human Research and Engineering Directorate (HRED) is ARL’s principal center for research and development directed toward optimizing Soldier performance and human-autonomy teaming. Research within HRED focuses on how to improve Soldier performance in a dynamic and changing battlefield. As technology and autonomous systems become an increasingly integral part of Soldier teams, it is critical to determine how these systems can work with and be adapted to the Soldier and their capabilities. Autonomous systems must be able to be integrated into Soldier teams and move from tools to teammates. Critical to this is an understanding of how humans and human teams perform and change in dynamic environments and situations. HRED leverages human-robot interaction, human-informed machine learning, human cognition and adaptive teaming to improve human-autonomy teaming for future Army teams.

About ARL-RAP

The Army Research Laboratory Research Associateship Program (ARL-RAP) is designed to significantly increase the involvement of creative and highly trained scientists and engineers from academia and industry in scientific and technical areas of interest and relevance to the Army. Scientists and Engineers at the CCDC Army Research Laboratory (ARL) help shape and execute the Army's program for meeting the challenge of developing technologies that will support Army forces in meeting future operational needs by pursuing scientific research and technological developments in diverse fields such as: applied mathematics, atmospheric characterization, simulation and human modeling, digital/optical signal processing, nanotechnology, material science and technology, multifunctional technology, combustion processes, propulsion and flight physics, communication and networking, and computational and information sciences.

A Complete Application Includes:

• Curriculum Vitae or Resume
• Three References Forms
• An email with a link to the reference form will be available in Zintellect to the applicant upon completion of the on-line application. Please send this email to persons you have selected to complete a reference.
• References should be from persons familiar with your educational and professional qualifications (include your thesis or dissertation advisor, if applicable)
• Transcripts
• Transcript verifying receipt of degree must be submitted with the application. Student/unofficial copy is acceptable

Research Proposal

If selected by an advisor the participant will also be required to write a research proposal to submit to the ARL-RAP review panel for :

• Research topic should relate to a specific opportunity at ARL (see Research Areas)
• The objective of the research topic should be clear and have a defined outcome
• Explain the direction you plan to pursue
• Include expected period for completing the study
• Include a brief background such as preparation and motivation for the research
• References of published efforts may be used to improve the proposal

Contact Information

Questions about this opportunity? Please email ARLFellowship@orau.org.