Postdoctoral and research technician positions in Synthetic biology & Biosensing

Postdoctoral and research technician positions in Synthetic biology & Biosensing at KAUST

The Mahfouz laboratory for genome engineering & Synthetic Biology at KAUST has two postdoctoral positions and one research technician position in synthetic biology and CRISPR- based diagnostics for the point-of-care applications. The goal of our research is to develop innovative technologies for pathogen diagnostics.

These postdoctoral research positions are focused on the following research projects:

1. Developing innovative technologies in CRISPR-based virus diagnostics.
2. Large-scale production and formulation of reagents into a diagnostic kit for in-field applications.
3. Design-Build and Test diagnostic point-of-care virus detection devices.
4. Design clinical validation assays of the testing kits or devices for practical field deployment and end-user applications.

These positions are available immediately and remain open until filled.

Required qualifications:

• A Ph.D. in synthetic biology, molecular diagnostics, biochemistry, biotechnology, molecular biology, or related field is required.
• Demonstrated strong record of research productivity as evidenced by high-quality publications.
• Effective writing and presentation skills.

You are expected to have the expertise to perform the following duties efficiently:

• Design, build, test, and engineer a variety of plasmid constructions for diverse applications.
• Protein purification and catalytic activity assays.
• In vitro transcription and translation and the generation and use of cell-free systems.
• Use of CRISPR-Cas systems in biosensing.

The successful candidate will be highly self-motivated and eager to work in cross-disciplinary settings with multiple research groups and talented individuals of different scientific and cultural backgrounds. The successful candidate will join a highly interactive group with strengths in bioengineering, genetics, molecular biology, and biochemistry.

Applications should include:

• A full CV with publication list,
• A 2-3-page statement of translational research interests and goals.
• Contact information for three academic references.

Please send your full application package to magdy.mahfouz@kaust.edu.sa or magdy@magdymahfouz.org

Screening of applications will start immediately, and the positions remain open until filled.

KAUST (https://www.kaust.edu.sa/en), located on the shores of the Red Sea in Thuwal (80km

north of Jeddah) in Saudi Arabia, is an international graduate-level research university dedicated

to advancing science and technology through bold and collaborative research and to addressing

challenges of regional and global significance. For more information about KAUST, please visit

http://www.kaust.edu.sa.