Job Description

• Material Design: Design and synthesize recombinant spider silk-based hydrogels or fibrous scaffolds.
• Biofabrication: Utilize techniques such as electrospinning, 3D bio-printing, or microfluidics to create structured bio-interfaces.
• Characterization: Perform mechanical testing, surface functionalization analysis, and morphological characterization (e.g., SEM/Confocal microscopy).
• Biological Validation: Conduct in vitro assays to evaluate biocompatibility and functional performance (e.g., antimicrobial efficacy or cell adhesion).
• Documentation: Assist in data interpretation, modeling of genetic circuits, and drafting sections of scientific manuscripts.

Preferred Intern Educational Level

PhD Student (preferred) or Advanced Master’s Student in Bioengineering, Biomaterials, or Chemical Engineering.

Skill sets or Qualities

• Technical Expertise: Strong background in biomaterials synthesis, specifically in hydrogels, scaffolds, or surface functionalization.
• Laboratory Skills: Hands-on experience with material characterization tools and basic cell culture or microbiology techniques.
• Data Analysis: Proficiency in scientific software such as OriginPro, GraphPad Prism, or ChemDraw.
• Soft Skills: High level of motivation for interdisciplinary research, excellent problem-solving abilities, and strong written/oral communication skills in English.
• Alignment: A keen interest in combining biology with engineering principles to solve real-world sustainability or medical challenges.

Job Description

• Data and Documentation Support:
  Help students organize experimental data, maintain clear records of protocols and results, and assist in preparing tables, figures, and basic statistical summaries.
• Writing and Communication:
  Support drafting and revising sections of scientific manuscripts, abstracts, posters, and presentations in English; provide feedback on clarity, structure, and argumentation while respecting the scientific content defined by the lab.
• Learning and Workflow Support:
  Assist students in planning timelines, tracking project milestones, and structuring research workflows, drawing on experience from project or program management.
• Academic and Career Mentoring (Adjunct):
  Offer guidance to students preparing for international exchanges, interviews, or applications to graduate programs, and help them practice English for scientific discussions and presentations.
• Interdisciplinary Bridge:
  Use experience in sustainable agriculture to help students frame the broader relevance of their bio‑inspired materials and synthetic biology work in terms of real‑world environmental and health challenges, without altering the technical direction set by the PI.

Preferred Intern Educational Level

Advanced Master’s Student in a related field such as sustainable agriculture or applied life sciences, with demonstrated experience in research design, quantitative analysis, and academic writing in English.

Candidates with familiarity with synthetic biology, biomaterials, or bioengineering concepts and strong cross‑cultural communication skills are especially welcome.

Skill sets or Qualities

• Research and Data Skills:
  • Experience with quantitative data analysis (or a willingness to develop skills in R programming).
  • Familiarity with research design, survey methods, and organizing experimental data.
• Academic English and Communication:
  • Strong academic writing skills; capable of editing and polishing manuscripts, theses, and grant sections in English.
  • Able to support students with presentations, posters, and interview preparation for international opportunities.
• Organizational and Project Skills:
  • Background in project management, including planning, monitoring progress, and reflecting on outcomes.
  • Comfortable coordinating small tasks, timelines, and communication among students in an interdisciplinary setting.
• Intercultural and Language Abilities:
  • Preferred experience living and working in Asia; conversational Mandarin ability and familiarity with cross‑cultural academic environments.
  • Comfortable working with international students and contributing to an inclusive lab culture.
• Alignment:
  • A strong interest in how synthetic biology, biofabrication, and biomaterials can contribute to sustainable and biomedical solutions, and a desire to support the lab’s work by strengthening its data workflows and scientific communication, rather than by leading experimental biomaterials development.