We are an interdisciplinary group researching at the interface of soft matter and biology. We are actively recruiting at all levels! If you are interested, please contact Prof. Liheng Cai for more information.
Postdoctoral researchers: We are looking for creative and hardworking people to join our team. Expertise in polymer physics, polymer chemistry, synthetic biology, molecular biology, or additive manufacturing is required. To apply, send us a cover letter describing your background and future research interests, a curriculum vitae, and the contact details of at least three references.
----- We have one postdoc opening starting immediately! (Date: 03/01/2021) ----
We have a postdoc opening in the area of 3D printing soft (bio)materials. The project consists of two core areas: (1) materials innovation and (2) technology development. The successful candidate will develop new soft materials as inks for 3D printing, and use customized 3D printing technologies to transform the materials to adaptive structures for photonic and biomedical applications. The project integrates polymer chemistry, polymer physics, advanced characterization (TEM, AFM, SEM), in-situ SAXS, microscopy, mechanics, 3D printing, and instrumentation. The candidate will have the opportunity to closely work with a group of members consisting of chemists, materials scientists, biomedical engineers, physicists, and medical doctors.
Additional Responsibilities include: managing laboratory facilities, performing measurements, updating equipment, developing procedures for operation and safety, supporting undergraduate/graduate research and fielding questions regarding procedures. The successful applicant will also participate in guiding students in measurements and analysis of their data as well as helping to draft proposals, reports, and research papers. The appointment will be for one-year, renewable pending satisfactory performance and funding.
Qualification requirements: Candidates must have a PhD degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Biomedical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or a closely related field. Candidates with expertise in polymer chemistry and/or 3D printing are strongly encouraged to apply. However, qualified candidates with other background will also be considered. Good oral and written communication skills, as well as attention to detail and good record keeping, are essential.
Interested applicants please submit a one-page cover letter, CV, a one-page research statement, a 3-slide presentation that summarizes your previous work, and the contact information for three references.
----- We have a postdoc opening starting immediately! (Date: 03/01/2021) ----
Graduate students: If you are a graduate student interested in rotating in or joining the lab, send us a brief description of your background and research interests, and suggest some time slots to meet. If you are a graduate student at another institution, no matter in the US, China, or other countries, you may be able to do a short-term internship in our lab if you have external funding. Please send us a brief description of your background and research interests, as well as the contact details of your primary research advisor.
Prospective graduate students: If you are planning to pursue a Ph.D./M.S. and are interested in joining us, please apply for the Materials Science and Engineering (MSE), the Chemical Engineering (ChE), or the Biomedical Engineering (BME) graduate programs at the UVA School of Engineering and Applied Science.
We have multiple Ph.D. openings in the fall of 2021. Possible projects include but not limited to: (1) interactions between bacteria and mucus in health and disease, and (2) additive manufacturing of designer soft (bio)materials for adaptive optics, wearable electronics, and/or biomedicine. Students with a strong background in one of these majors, Chemistry, Biology, Physics or Engineering, are encouraged to apply. Experience in instrument development, bacteria, and/or chemical (polymer) synthesis is a great plus. Students in our group often start with one area of research and gradually broaden their horizon spanning from physics, chemistry, biology, engineering to medicine. In the meantime, please send us a cover letter describing your background and research interests, curriculum vitae, and the contact details of your primary advisor if any.
Undergraduate students: If you are a student at UVA interested in doing a research project in our lab, or if you are interested in learning more about what we do, please get in touch! If you are a student at another institution, no matter in the US, China, or other countries, you may be able to work in our lab if you have your own funding, such as through an REU program or external fellowship like China Scholarship Council. Either way, you don't need to have any prior research experience: just be curious and eager to learn! Send us an email briefly describing your background and interests, how much time you would like to spend in the lab, and what you hope to get out of your research experience.
High school students: If you are curious and eager to learn, you are more than welcome to spend time in our lab! Send us an email briefly describing your interests, how much time you would like to spend in the lab, and what you hope to get out of your research experience.
The University of Virginia is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. For more information, see https://eocr.virginia.edu/affirmative-action.
For more information about the university and the Charlottesville area, please refer to my colleague Dr. Nathan Sheffield's article about "Why you should consider coming to UVA".