Positions

We are currently recruiting highly talented, motivated, and dedicated individuals (Postdoc, Graduate students, Undergraduates, and Visiting scholars) to join the group. The focus of our current research is to develop novel microfluidic Lab-on-a-chip platforms and nanotechnology for cutting-edge research in bioanalytical chemistry, environmental science & engineering, biomedical engineering, and catalysis. Please mention where you heard this opportunity in all applications.

Postdoctoral Fellows

We are recruiting talented, motivated, and dedicated Postdoctoral Fellows with a research background in analytical chemistry, bioengineering, nanotechnology, or microfluidics to join the group. Strong exeperience with microfluidics, bioanalysis, nanotechnology, or bioengineering are preferred. Financial support is available now!

Please respond to Dr. Li by email with the following materials:

1. Your CV, including your publication list and past experience;

2. A brief statement describing your research interests, your expertise, and potential match for the above-mentioned research areas;

3. 2-3 references.

*update on 02/19/2022: Currently,

Two new postdoc positins available: (one for POC cancer biomarker detection using nanotechnology, and the other one for POC infectious disease study using microfluidic biochips): if you are interested, please send your CV to Dr. Li. See the pdf file for more detials.

We also have positions available for graduate students, undergraduate students and visiting scholars.

Graduate Students (Ph. D. and M. S. candidates)

We welcome talented, motivated, and dedicated individuals to join the group for graduate studies in a multidisciplinary research field to include analytical chemistry, environmental science and engineering, bioengineering, and catalysis. The multidisciplinary nature of the research in this group will provide students with a unique opportunity to participate in highly innovative and cutting-edge research in those areas. Currently, we have has multiple positions currently available for graduate students (Ph.D. or M.S.) in analytical chemistry (Chemistry), Environmental Science & Engineering (ESE), and Biomedical Engineering (BME).

The focus of our current research is to develop novel microfluidic Lab-on-a-chip platforms and nanotechnology for cutting-edge research in bioanalytical chemistry, environmental analysis,nanosensing, catalysis, and biomedical applications. We are seeking highly motivated, talented and dedicated candidates to join the group. Individuals with a background in microfluidics, chemistry/biochemistry, environmental science/engineering, chemical engineering, bioengineering, or related, are encouraged to apply. Candidates are expected to have solid chemistry or environmental science/engineering background. Successful candidates will join an interdisciplinary and collaborative team working in chemistry, biology, environmental science & engineering, nanomaterials, catalysis, and bioengineering. For more detail, please visit http://li.utep.edu . Or clinck this link for printable current student recruitment flyer.

Interested individuals should contact Dr. Li by email with the following materials:

1) Your CV including a full publication list, and TOEFL or IELTS scores if you are an international student. (GRE is not required anymore).

2) A copy of your graduate/undergraduate transcript;

3) A one-page personal statement about your career goal, your research interests, and your plans for the next five years.

Useful link for the application:

• On-line application to Graduate School: http://graduate.utep.edu/prospective.html (Please note this link might not be updated frequently. If problems, you can search UTEP web.)

• Application process to Chemistry:
https://www.utep.edu/science/chemistry/_Files/docs/Application_Instructions_2018.pdf

Update on 09/01/201: New positions! We are looking for talented graduates for interdisciplinary research in the field of material science & engineering, nanoscience, biomass conversion, catalysis, etc. The positions will be supported by the NSF PREM center grant. In order to apply, you must be a US citizen or permanent resident and a full-time UTEP student with a 3.0 GPA or higher. High priority will be given to underrepresented students (e.g. female and minority students). If you are interested, please contact Dr. Li by email.

Undergraduate Students

Any chemistry, biochemistry, bioengineering, and other UTEP students who are interested in doing research projects in analytical chemistry, forensics, and biomedical engineering, are welcome to contact Dr. Li directly. Especially, students in course-directed research and summer research programs (e.g. REU (Research Experience for Undergraduates) program) are strongly recommended to apply.

Updated on 09/1/2021: New positions! We are looking for talented undergraduates for interdisciplinary research in the field of material science & engineering, nanoscience, biomass conversion, catalysis, etc. The positions will be supported by the NSF PREM center grant. In order to apply, you must be a US citizen or permanent resident and a full-time UTEP student with a 3.0 GPA or higher. High priority will be given to underrepresented undergradaute students (e.g. female and minority students). If you are interested, please contact Dr. Li by email.

Links of Funding Opportunities

MARC program (Minority to Access Research Careers) || LSAMP program (for graduates & undergraduates) || NIH BUILDing Scholars Scholarship ||
|| UTEP COURI Program || RISE program, UTEP

Visiting Scholars

We also warm-heartedly invite Visiting Scholars to join the group. We have accomodated numerous Visiting Scholars from different countries. see the Group member section for more detail.

For Local Scenery, please visit here:

About Dr. Li: Dr. Li is the recipient of UT STARS Award in 2012, UTEP Outstanding Performance Awards in 2013 and 2015, and the 2014 Bioanalysis Young Investigator Award. Dr. Li published a book entitled “Microfluidic Devices for Biomedical Applications” in 2013 through Elsevier. Dr. Li is also an editor for multiple journals including Scientific Reports from the Nature Publishing Group. The Group has received more than $5.9M research funding including collaborated projects since 2012. Dr. Li is a faculty member in Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, Environmental Science & Engineering (ESE), Biomedical Engineering (BME), and Materials Science & Engineering Programs.

About UTEP: The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) founded in 1914, is an important component of the University of Texas (UT) System. It has grown into a dynamic urban university that serves more than 23,000 students enrolled at El Paso ranked as one of the safest cities of its size in the U.S. UTEP was ranked among the best 12 universities by Washington Monthly magazine in 2012. UTEP grows fast. More than $250 million in construction and renovation projects are underway on the UTEP campus. The newly built cleanroom will provide state-of-the-art facilities for research in microfluidics, nanotechnology, and bioengineering. In addition, the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry has moved into a new state of the art building in early 2012. In 2014, the University had her grand centennial celebration. We warm-heartedly welcome you to join the group at UTEP.

Update: 01/08/2019: UTEP Attains National Research Top Tier Ranking.
The University of Texas at El Paso has attained a coveted R1 designation (top tier doctoral university with very high research activity) in the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. UTEP is one of only 130 (4.5%) top tier universities among the 2,883 four-year higher education institutions across the U.S. to earn this prestigious R1 distinction, joining the ranks of such universities as Stanford, M.I.T., Michigan, Arizona and California-Berkeley. See more.

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