Visiting Postdoctoral Research Associate

_{Integrated Bioprocessing Research Laboratory, Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering in Collaboration with Archer Daniels Midland Company (ADM)
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign}

The Integrated Bioprocessing Research Laboratory (IBRL) is leading the way in food and bioprocessing research, teaching, and scale-up activities. Our facilities include over 50,000 sq. ft. of recently constructed and modernized pilot plant, laboratory, and collaborative space filled with over $15M in pilot-scale processing equipment. Our clients range from start-up businesses to Fortune 500 companies in addition to our work supporting major federal research grants, traditional classes, and continuing education opportunities for industry.

They are seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate to carry out research in the following areas.

Opportunity

Tangential flow microfiltration is widely practiced in the recovery of fermentation-derived nutritional proteins and enzymes, designed to remove cell mass and other insoluble debris from fermentation broths while maximizing the recovery of target molecules in the permeate. This clarification technique generally utilizes polymeric or ceramic membranes with pore sizes ranging from 0.05 to 10 microns, most commonly between 0.1 and 1 micron. Unexpected protein rejection during microfiltration has been observed, exceeding predictions based on nominal pore sizes, resulting in significant yield losses or costly diafiltration steps.

The mechanisms driving this unexpected rejection remain poorly understood, but they are likely influenced by complex interactions between membrane properties, protein characteristics, broth composition, and operating parameters. Developing a deeper understanding of these interactions is essential to optimize separation processes and improve membrane designs for industrial applications. Archer Daniels Midland Company (ADM) is interested in investigating these phenomena to enable better process control, reduced product losses, and enhanced membrane performance.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

• Foundational Learning (10%): Develop an understanding of membrane-protein interactions through a literature review and shadowing of the ADM team.
• Experimental Design and Execution (45%): Investigate the impact of process factors on protein rejection and fouling using a robust statistical design of experiments and multivariate analysis.
• Material characterization (15%): detailed analyses of membrane properties, protein samples, and fermentation broth.
• Generate Industrially Relevant Feed Material (5%): Work closely with ADM and IBRL to identify bacterial, yeast, and fungal species of interest, procure commercially available strains, and prepare fermentation broths for experimental testing.
• Recommendations (15%): Develop actionable process optimization strategies, including improvements in production strain selection, fermentation media composition, membrane design, and process operating parameters to mitigate protein rejection and enhance microfiltration efficiency.
• Communication & Reporting (5%): Communicate research progress and findings through written reports, verbal updates, and presentations.
• Laboratory Operations & Safety (5%): Maintain a safe, organized, and compliant laboratory environment. Follow all safe handling protocols established by both IBRL and ADM.

Position Requirements and Qualifications

• Required: PhD degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Agricultural & Biological Engineering, Food Process Engineering, Material Science, or closely related field.
• PhD must have been obtained within 10 years of the start date of the appointment.

Experience Required:

• 1+ years of laboratory experience in areas such as material science, protein characterization, bioprocessing, separations, or similar.
• Experience working with, or a willingness to learn, scientific research at a scale larger than bench top.
• Fundamental scientific understanding of separation and purification processes, material and energy balance.
• Must be able to communicate effectively with others.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Self-motivated to work independently in a fast-paced environment.

Experience Preferred:

• Industry experience or interest in gaining industry experience.
• Experience designing, setting up, operating and maintaining laboratory or pilot-scale equipment.
• Demonstrated experience in process optimization and impact of process parameters and measures.
• Experience with food processing and/or protein chemistry.

Travel Requirements:

Must have access to reliable transportation. Travel between IBRL and ADM facilities as needed. (Estimated travel 5%)

This position is a 12-month appointment with renewal up to two years, dependent on a mid-project review. Target start date is August 1, 2026. The minimum annual salary will be $53,000.00. The salary will be commensurate with experience. This position will also be benefits-eligible and offers 24 paid vacation days annually; any unused balance is non-compensable upon separation. This position is eligible for sponsorship for work authorization, except for sponsorship of a new H1B petition that would incur the $100,000 fee.

For full consideration, please fill out the form below by May 22, 2026.

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