The research associate will conduct research on (I) recycling and valorizing agricultural wastes using anaerobic digestion, microalgae cultivation, and microbial fuel cells, (II) nanomaterials for enhancing biological conversion of agricultural wastes, and (III) mathematical modeling and data analytics for the prediction and control of the biological conversion processes. The research associate will confer with the Principal Investigator on overall research direction and assignments. The research associate is expected to exercise a considerable amount of independent judgment and original thinking in carrying out research that contributes to original knowledge and advances the University's reputation in research. The research associate will also publish research results, in collaboration with other researchers and students in high impact journals. The research associate will share responsibility in mentoring students and will participate in other professional activities as assigned. The selected candidate will be appointed to a one-year appointment with the possibility of renewal for up to an additional two years.

North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University's College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences (CAES) has a rich history of innovation and application of cutting-edge technology. From our pioneering Laboratory Animal Science and Landscape Architecture programs to our award-winning Cooperative Extension and Agricultural Research programs, our faculty and staff serve today's needs while keeping an eye on the future. With programs and expertise in such areas as agricultural and biosystems engineering, biotechnology, natural resources management, waste management, and food microbiology, the A&T College of Agriculture grows concurrently with the demand for qualified graduates. Our four academic departments are the Department of Agribusiness, Applied Economics and Agriscience Education; the Department of Animal Sciences; the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences; and the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Design. Within these departments, students will find a myriad of opportunities for classroom learning, research and field work. Through our Agricultural Research Program and our Cooperative Extension Program, we are able to research issues of importance to North Carolina and provide research-based outreach training to citizens across the state and around the world.

The selected research associate must have been awarded a minimum of a master degree in the field of biological engineering, agricultural engineering, chemical engineering, or relevant fields. Preference will be given to a candidate with a Ph.D. degree in the relevant fields.

Preference will be given to candidates with a record of publication and presentation of research findings, research experience in anaerobic digestion, microalgae cultivation and microbial fuel cells, and experience with grant proposal writing and machine learning algorithms. The research associate should have a demonstrated research focus and competitive knowledge in value added processing of agricultural wastes, biobased products development and characterization, and bioprocess modeling and analysis.