"Postdoctoral Fellow - Microbial Genomics and Engineered Living Materials"

This role is part of the Biomaterials Genome Project, a cross-disciplinary initiative exploring how genomic information can be used to design functional materials. The current focus is on microbial adhesion and self-assembly, with applications in critical minerals and materials (CMM) recovery, a high-impact area as global supply chains grow more complex and resource resilience becomes increasingly vital.

This is a unique opportunity to work at the intersection of materials science, genomics, and microbial engineering, all within a national lab setting that values scientific excellence and real-world impact.

What You Will Do:

• Cultivating microbial strains and generating microbial libraries.
• Designing and executing molecular biology workflows, including cloning and transformation.
• Running high-throughput capsule-based consortium sequencing assays.
• Performing genomic and structural homology analyses.
• Collaborating closely with multidisciplinary teams at the Foundry, JGI, and other Lab programs.
• Presenting your research at group meetings and national conferences.
• Publishing your results in high-impact, peer-reviewed journals.
• Upholding safety and stewardship practices consistent with Berkeley Lab's values.

What is Required:

• A Ph.D. in Molecular Biology, Microbiology, Synthetic Biology, or a related field.
• Knowledge of designing and generating microbial expression libraries, DNA assembly, bioinformatics, and handling microbial cultures.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Demonstrated ability to successfully work in a dynamic, inclusive, team environment.
• Strong written and oral communication skills as documented by seminars/presentations.

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience of high throughput assay development and laboratory automation systems (liquid handlers, robotic colony pickers etc.).
• Experience with sequencing technologies and microfluidics.
• Experience using fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) or similar platforms.
• Experience using optical and/or electron microscopy to image biomaterials.

Notes:

Appointment Type: This is a full time, exempt from overtime pay (monthly paid), 2 year (benefits eligible), Postdoctoral Fellow appointment with the possibility of renewal based upon satisfactory job performance, continuing availability of funds, and ongoing operational needs. You must have less than 3 years of paid postdoctoral experience.

Salary Information: This position is represented by a union for collective bargaining purposes. Postdoctoral Fellow positions are paid on a step schedule per union contract and salaries are predetermined based on postdoctoral step rates. Each step represents one full year of completed post-Ph.D. postdoctoral and/or related research experience. This position has a targeted monthly salary range of $6,823.00 - $7,607.00 and is expected to start at $6,823.00 or above.

Background Check: This position may be subject to a background check. Any convictions will be evaluated to determine if they directly relate to the responsibilities and requirements of the position. Having a conviction history will not automatically disqualify an applicant from being considered for employment.

Work Modality: Work will be primarily performed at: Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA. A REAL ID or other acceptable form of identification is required to access Berkeley Lab sites (for more information click here).