Position Summary
A Postdoctoral Scholar position is available in our Shiu Lab at Michigan State University, as part of the Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center (GLBRC, www.glbrc.org).
We seek a motivated candidate to join our lab to maximize switchgrass productivity. The research will focus on determining the physiological and genetic mechanisms of switchgrass overwinter survival, as well as optimizing switchgrass yields and biomass quality. The postdoctoral researcher will accomplish the above goals through collecting and analyzing switchgrass multi-omics and trait data with computational approaches, particularly machine learning and related artificial intelligence (AI) methods to establish trait prediction models. In addition, the postdoctoral scholar will interpret the modeling results with explainable AI to identify underlying genetic mechanisms and candidate genes important for switchgrass resilience, biomass, and yields.
Job responsibilities
The candidate will be responsible to:
- Oversee data collection and analysis
- Interpret and report results in lab meetings, symposiums, posters, and publications
- Mentor junior scientists and students in scientific research
- Develop ideas for new, future research directions
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.
Required Degree
Terminal -PhD in plant computational biology or closely related field.
Minimum Requirements
- PhD in plant computational biology or closely related field.
- Demonstrated research experiences in plant computational biology and the use of machine learning and related AI approaches, particularly explainable AI
- Strong written and oral communication skills to collaborate and communicate effectively with a team of researchers from diverse scientific backgrounds.
- Publications demonstrating expertise in plant computational biology
- Publications demonstrating the use of machine learning and related AI approaches, particularly explainable AI
- Publications demonstrating experiences in analyzing multi-omics data and their integration
Required Application Materials
A current CV, cover letter/letter of interest (2 pages max), and contact details for 3 professional references.
Special Instructions
At GLBRC, we strive to provide holistic and well-rounded experience to our postdoctoral researchers, and we recognize the importance of supporting their professional development needs to ensure their successful transition to the career of their choosing. To complement the scientific training received in their lab, postdocs at GLBRC can:
- Attend and present at scientific research symposiums and/or conferences.
- Access cross-discipline research environments and training opportunities within GLBRC and cross-BRCs.
- Benefit from integrated career and professional development support.
- Participate in Outreach and Community Engagement opportunities.
As an institution of higher learning, Michigan State University is committed to providing a safe environment for its students, faculty, and staff in support of its educational mission. With this commitment, the University conducts criminal background checks and professional misconduct reviews of all applicants for employment in faculty, academic staff, and executive management searches.
Professional Misconduct Review
A professional misconduct review is a prerequisite for a candidate to be selected for this position. Applicants will be asked to disclose whether they are subject to any pending investigation, findings or sanctions related to professional misconduct. Professional misconduct includes misconduct related to a person’s employment, including, but not limited to, theft, embezzlement, research integrity, discrimination, or harassment under civil rights laws and policies, including protected identity harassment, sexual harassment, sexual misconduct (sexual assault, sexual exploitation, dating violence, domestic violence, stalking, etc.), and retaliation. All applicants will be asked to sign an authorization and release, which authorizes the University to contact the candidate’s current and former employers, for a period of 7 years prior to the date of application, related to any pending investigations, findings of responsibility and/or sanctions related to professional misconduct. Nothing will be sent to current or former employers unless the candidate reaches the semi-finalist stage.
The existence of professional misconduct history does not automatically exclude a candidate from employment. The University will assess the history, including any information provided by the candidate, in determining whether it is compatible with the position. The University may decline to hire a candidate based on the professional misconduct review. All records obtained from external employers will be kept in a secure location, separate from personnel files. If an applicant fails to sign the authorization and release, the application will be deemed incomplete and will be withdrawn.
Review of Applications Begins On
03/16/2026
Website
https://www.glbrc.org/
Department Statement
The Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center (GLBRC, www.glbrc.org) is a cross-disciplinary and integrated research center funded by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and led by the University of Wisconsin–Madison. With Michigan State University as a primary partner, GLBRC draws on the expertise of over 400 scientists to address today’s greatest challenges to produce transportation fuels and high-value chemicals while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Within the DOE-funded Bioenergy Research Centers (BRCs) program, GLBRC collaborates with three other BRCs, each led by a DOE National Laboratory or a top university. Interactions between the centers help forge strong partnerships within the bioenergy research community in the U.S. and abroad, as well as with industry and government partners.
GLBRC is committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment that welcomes and supports everyone. We believe that a diverse research community is a prerequisite to conducting the foundational innovation necessary to achieve our mission. We strongly encourage applications from candidates who foster and promote these values.
MSU Statement
Michigan State University has been advancing the common good with uncommon will for more than 160 years. One of the top research universities in the world, MSU pushes the boundaries of discovery and forges enduring partnerships to solve the most pressing global challenges while providing life-changing opportunities to a diverse and inclusive academic community through more than 200 programs of study in 17 degree-granting colleges.
