AI-Based Protein Design and Enzyme Engineering Postdoctoral Associate

Position Details

Position Information

Recruitment/Posting Title AI-Based Protein Design and Enzyme Engineering Postdoctoral Associate Department Quantitative Biomedicine Inst Salary Details 63,968 minimum, but commensurate with experience Offer Information

The final salary offer may be determined by several factors, including, but not limited to, the candidate's qualifications, experience, and expertise, and availability of department or grant funds to support the position. We also take into consideration market benchmarks, if and when appropriate, and internal equity to ensure fair compensation relative to the university's broader compensation structure. We are committed to offering competitive and flexible compensation packages to attract and retain top talent.

Benefits

Rutgers provides a comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees. The specific benefits vary based on the position and may include:

• Medical, prescription drug, and dental coverage
• Paid vacation, holidays, and various leave programs
• Competitive retirement benefits, including defined contribution plans and voluntary tax-deferred savings options
• Employee and dependent educational benefits (when applicable)
• Life insurance coverage
• Employee discount programs

Posting Summary

The Khare Laboratory at Rutgers University invites applications for a postdoctoral fellow position in computational enzyme engineering and AI-based protein design. A primary project will focus on engineering DNA polymerases supported by a federally funded and multi-institutional collaborative effort on DNA polymerase engineering. Postdoctoral fellows are also encouraged and supported to develop independent research directions aligned with the lab's scientific program.

The laboratory develops and applies computational and machine-learning methods for enzyme engineering, de novo protein design, and the design of protein function. Research is conducted in close collaboration with experimental colleagues within and outside the group at Rutgers and beyond, with iterative cycles between computational design and experimental characterization.

Position Status Full Time Posting Number 26FA0469 Posting Open Date 05/08/2026 Posting Close Date 07/31/2026

Qualifications

Minimum Education and Experience

• PhD (awarded or expected within six months of start date) in computational biology, bioinformatics, biophysics, chemistry, computer science, or a closely related field.

Certifications/Licenses Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Publication record (published, in press, or as a preprint) in protein design, protein engineering, computational structural biology, or machine learning for biology.
• Demonstrated programming proficiency in Python, including experience with modern deep-learning frameworks (PyTorch and/or JAX).
• Submission of a representative code sample or link to a public code repository (e.g., GitHub) as part of the application.

Preferred Qualifications

• Direct experience with contemporary protein design tools and models (e.g., Rosetta, ProteinMPNN, RFdiffusion, AlphaFold-family models, ESM-based or other protein language models, or comparable methods).
• Experience training or fine-tuning ML models on large experimental datasets.
• Prior track record of close collaboration with experimentalists.

Equipment Utilized Physical Demands and Work Environment Overview

• Design, implement, and apply AI-based methods merged with molecular modeling for protein design and engineering, including one or more of de novo design, sequence (re)design, and design of functionally relevant properties such as substrate selectivity and catalytic activity, stability, enzyme complementation, and photocontrol.
• Develop and train ML models informed by diverse experimental data such as (a) enzyme activity, specificity, and stability measurements; and (b) high-throughput sequencing data based on library screening and/or directed evolution.
• Collaborate closely with experimentalists on design-build-test-learn cycles including analysis and design of libraries.
• Prepare and publish manuscripts; present at conferences; contribute to grant-related reporting.
• Mentor graduate and undergraduate trainees.

Statement

Posting Details

Special Instructions to Applicants Quick Link to Posting https://jobs.rutgers.edu/postings/274493 Campus Rutgers University-New Brunswick Home Location Campus Busch (RU-New Brunswick) City Piscataway State NJ Location Details

Pre-employment Screenings

All offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of all pre-employment screenings.

Immunization Requirements

Under Policy 100.3.1 Immunization Policy for Covered Individuals, if employment will commence during Flu Season, Rutgers University may require certain prospective employees to provide proof that they are vaccinated against Seasonal Influenza for the current Flu Season, unless the University has granted the individual a medical or religious exemption. Additional infection control and safety policies may apply. Prospective employees should speak with their hiring manager to determine which policies apply to the role or position for which they are applying. Failure to provide proof of vaccination for any required vaccines or obtain a medical or religious exemption from the University will result in rescission of a candidate's offer of employment or disciplinary action up to and including termination.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

It is university policy to provide equal employment opportunity to all its employees and applicants for employment regardless of their race, creed, color, national origin, age, ancestry, nationality, marital or domestic partnership or civil union status, sex, pregnancy, gender identity or expression, disability status, liability for military service, protected veteran status, affectional or sexual orientation, atypical cellular or blood trait, genetic information (including the refusal to submit to genetic testing), or any other category protected by law. As an institution, we encourage all qualified applicants to apply. For additional information please see the Non-Discrimination Statement at the following web address: http://uhr.rutgers.edu/non-discrimination-statement

Posting Specific Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

• Resume/CV
• Cover Letter/Letter of Application
• List of Professional References (contact Info)
• Research Statement

Optional Documents

• Transcript (Unofficial)