PhD Graduate Research Assistant Position – Kansas State University (APPLY)

The Sustainable Agriculture, Food, and Environment (SAFE) Lab, led by Dr. Jikai Zhao in the Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering at Kansas State University, is seeking a highly motivated PhD student to join their team starting Spring 2026.

Prospective candidates ready to fill the research assistant position at Kansas State University will be joining Dr. Jikai Zhao in the Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering.

Candidates with strong written and oral communication skills with ability to publish manuscript stand a higher chance to get the position.

Research Focus

Engineering microorganisms to produce biofuels and platform chemicals from agricultural and food waste hydrolysates.

Conducting research in engineering microorganisms and waste valorization.
Developing scholarly manuscripts, presentations for scientific conferences, and mentoring undergraduate students.

Qualifications

M.S. degree in Biological Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Agricultural Engineering, Food Engineering, or a closely related discipline.

Strong theoretical background and experimental experience in synthetic biology and microbial fermentation.

Excellent written and oral communication skills, GPA above 3.0, and TOEFL (79)/IELTS (6.5) if applicable.

Preference will be given to applicants with strong research experience, publication records, motivation, and excellent problem-solving skills.

How to Apply

Submit (1) a short statement of interest and (2) a CV to Dr. Jikai Zhao at jikaizhao@ksu.edu.
(Use email subject line: “Name+2026+PhD”)

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

Anticipated Start Date: Spring 2026

Learn more about the department here: bae.ksu.edu