Research Intern - Experimental Fermentation Lab

Requirements: Bachelor's degree in microbiology, genetics, molecular biology, biochemistry, bioengineering, chemical engineering or relevant field. Required minimum number of years and type of relevant work experience: - A basic understanding of microbial fermentation is required. - At least one year of laboratory research experience including experience with microbiology, molecular biology, and biochemistry techniques. - Strong laboratory record-keeping skill, scientific communication ability, and Excel spreadsheet/data analysis skills are also required. - Specific experience with RNA and genomic DNA purification will be advantageous. - Candidates must have flexible schedules to accommodate fermentation that may occur at non-standard times and days. Successful candidates must be extremely well-organized and self-motivated; have excellent interpersonal skills; and enjoy working both independently and as part of a team. The flexible working schedule is expected, since some of fermentation samples will be collected in non-standard times and days. Because much of the research involves collaboration between different research groups, both experience working with multiple client groups and excellent time-management skills are encouraged. This is an outstanding opportunity to play a key role in meeting the first great national challenge of the 21st century: sustainable energy independence.

Job Duties: Successful candidates will work as part of a team within the Experimental Fermentation Lab (EFL) in the Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center (GLBRC). The central goal of EFL is to provide support to GLBRC research by providing various biomass and synthetic hydrolysates, conversion residues, and fermentation needs. The research intern will collect samples during microbial fermentation and process samples for chemical composition, genomic and proteomic analyses. Data analyses of these samples will help to identify microbial responses to different feedstocks hydrolysates, and bottlenecks from biomass to biofuel production. It will also help to engineer and develop microbial organisms that can effectively and efficiently convert sugars from sustainable and renewable plant biomass into biofuels. The primary responsibilities of this research specialist position are to support EFL lab. The research intern will: - Prepare genomic DNA from engineered bacterial strains for genomic sequencing - Prepare RNA for RNA-Seq gene expression analysis - Prepare growth media and microbial cultures for fermentation experiments - Set-up and operate batch, fed-batch, and continuous fermentation - Collect samples during fermentation and record the data - Conduct distillation to generate conversion residues - Contribute in the analysis of fermentation data - Assist in preparing other microbial media, fermentation reagents, and supplies as well as assisting in the organization and maintenance of the lab.

Begin Date: Immediately
Percent Time: 100%
Salary: $28,595

Contact
Yaoping Zhang 
1552 University Ave, Madison, WI 53726 
yaoping.zhang@wisc.edu