UT-ORII Fellow, Plant Systems Modeler

Requisition Id 15512 

 

Overview:

The UT-Oak Ridge Innovation Institute (UT-ORII) is seeking a highly motivated and interdisciplinary researcher to lead advanced plant systems modeling in support of biomaterial and bioproduct development. This position focuses on modeling traits-to-ecosystems with a focus on physiological, structural, and environmental tradeoffs involved in optimizing crops for fiber and biopolymer production. The successful candidate will work at the forefront of bioresource crop design and deployment, integrating experimental data and modeling tools to support engineering and assessment of high-performance, resilient crops tailored for agronomic viability and product functionality.

 

This work is critical to enabling a renewable, domestically sourced bioeconomy that strengthens U.S. supply chains and promotes economic development in rural communities. By advancing the use of biomass from purpose-grown crops, this position directly supports the deployment of regionally adapted feedstocks to support innovation in agriculture and manufacturing.

 

The UT-Oak Ridge Innovation Institute’s Circular Bioeconomy Systems (CBS) Convergent Research Initiative (CRI) represents a unique collaboration between Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) and the University of Tennessee. Its mission is to pioneer transformative strategies for converting renewable biomass into next-generation materials while lowering energy use and carbon intensity. CBS CRI researchers benefit from cross-disciplinary collaboration, mentorship, professional development, and access to extensive national lab resources and partnerships. This position will be based in the Bioresource Science and Engineering Group within ORNL’s Environmental Sciences Division—a dynamic team of scientists, engineers, and economists developing tools and insights to accelerate the U.S. bioeconomy.

 

Major Duties/Responsibilities:

• Lead the development and application of plant systems models that link crop traits (e.g., cellulose content, fiber architecture, stress tolerance) to field performance and material quality.
• Investigate the effects of genotype, environment, and management interactions on plant growth and function, using simulation tools, greenhouse and field data, and genetic information.
• Collaborate closely with plant scientists to evaluate impacts of crop physiological responses
• Work with materials scientists and engineers to connect biological characteristics with downstream performance in fiber-reinforced composites and biopolymers.
• Contribute to the design of integrated model-experiment (ModEx) and forecasting workflows that guide trait selection, experimental prioritization, and system optimization.
• Develop proposals, publish high-impact research, and present findings at scientific meetings.
• Deliver ORNL’s mission by aligning behaviors, priorities, and interactions with our core values of Impact, Integrity, Teamwork, Safety, and Service. Promote equal opportunity by fostering a respectful workplace – in how we treat one another, work together, and measure success.

 

Basic Qualifications:

• A Ph.D. in plant physiology, systems biology, agricultural or environmental engineering, ecological modeling, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience in developing or applying plant systems models (e.g., mechanistic, trait-based, or ecohydrological models).
• Familiarity with plant responses to abiotic stress, crop trait optimization, or fiber composition and quality.
• Strong programming and data analysis skills (e.g., Python, R, MATLAB).
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including a record of peer-reviewed publications.

 

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working with or modeling switchgrass, miscanthus, or other perennial crops.
• Familiarity with multi-disciplinary teams including plant biologists, agronomists, materials scientists, and engineers.
• Experience in ModEx workflows or integration of experimental and simulation data.
• Ability to lead projects and collaborate effectively across institutional and disciplinary boundaries.

 

Security, Credentialing, and Eligibility Requirements:

• This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain an HSPD-12 PIV badge.
• For employment at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), a