Funded Ph.D. Positions in Biological Engineering

Funded Ph.D. Positions in Biological Engineering at Utah State University
The Synthetic BioSystems (SBS) Lab in the Biological Engineering Department at Utah State University (USU) is seeking two Ph.D. students to join in Spring or Fall 2025. These positions come with full financial support, including a stipend, tuition waivers, and health insurance.
Research Projects:
• Enhancing the robustness of genetically modified single- and multicellular systems for
improved biomanufacturing
• Investigating host cell responses to gene manipulations
• Optimizing natural cellular genomes to delay aging
• Using evolutionary artificial intelligence to design and optimize genetic building blocks
 

Qualifications:
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in biology, microbiology, engineering, or a related science
field
• Preferred experience in laboratory work (microbiology) or coding (Python)
• Highly motivated, driven, and curious with a strong interest in microbiology and cell
engineering
• Excellent communication and language skills
• Ability to work effectively in an interdisciplinary and multicultural team environment
Interested in Applying?
To apply 

Please contact Dr. Buecherl at lukas.buecherl@usu.edu. Submit a single PDF
containing:
• A one-page cover letter describing your research background, relevant experience, and
career goals
• Your CV
 

Questions?
For general information about Ph.D. studies at the Biological Engineering Department at USU, visit https://engineering.usu.edu/be/students/graduate/. For specific information about the Ph.D. fellowship, please contact the department directly at be@usu.edu.
 

About Dr. Buecherl
Dr. Lukas Buecherl is an assistant professor in the Biological Engineering Department at USU. He earned his Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Colorado Boulder, where he worked with Dr. Chris Myers in the Electrical, Computer, and Energy Engineering Department. Prior to that, he completed his B.S. in Electrical Engineering at Ulm University. Dr. Buecherl leads the Synthetic BioSystems (SBS) Lab, which operates at the intersection of biology and engineering. The SBS Lab focuses on designing, developing, and validating innovative biological systems and processes. Research areas include engineering microorganisms to address global challenges in health and the environment, combining both experimental (microbiology, cell culture) and computational (modeling, analysis) approaches. Learn more about Dr. Buecherl through his LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lukasbuecherl-9107b719a/. 

About Utah State University:
Utah State University is Utah's premier land-grant and space-grant university, with a strong
commitment to excellence, access, and inclusion. USU serves approximately 27,500 students throughout the state at three residential campuses, eight statewide campuses, and 23 education centers. As a land-grant university, USU engages communities and empowers people to lead successful lives of involvement, innovation, and impact. As an R1 research institution, USU provides a high-quality undergraduate and graduate education at an affordable price. Washington Monthly has consistently ranked USU in the top 10 among public universities for contribution to social mobility, research, and public service.

About the Biological Engineering Department:
The Biological Engineering is a small but rapidly growing department with about 200
undergraduates, 35 master's and Ph.D. students, and 11 faculty members. The department
advances research in biofuels, bionanomaterials, cell and metabolic engineering, tissue
engineering, viral gene vectors, and waste-to-bioproducts. Graduate school alumni pursue
research in consumer and medical products, diagnostics, food, instrumentation,
pharmaceutical, and water treatment in industry, federal, and academic institutions. The BE
graduate program was ranked 29rd among national universities by U.S. News in 2024. For
more information check: https://engineering.usu.edu/be/index