Company Description

Join us and make YOUR mark on the World!

Are you interested in joining some of the brightest talent in the world to strengthen the United States’ security? Come join Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) where our employees apply their expertise to create solutions for BIG ideas that make our world a better place.

We are committed to a diverse and equitable workforce with an inclusive culture that values and celebrates the diversity of our people, talents, ideas, experiences, and perspectives. This is essential to innovation and creativity for continued success of the Laboratory’s mission.

Pay Range

$108,840 Annually

Job Description

NOTE: This is a two-year Postdoctoral appointment with the possibility of extension to a maximum of three years.

We are seeking a dedicated and hardworking postdoctoral researcher to conduct research in the field of synthetic biology for biocontainment of genetically modified microorganisms.  You will actively participate in research to develop biocontainment circuits in environmentally relevant bacteria and build and screen libraries for protein redesign. This position is in the Microbial systems or Synthetic biology group in the Biosciences and Biotechnology Division.

In this role you will

Conduct fundamental research in microbial synthetic biology.Employ state of the art library geneneration and develop high throughput approaches to assay the functionality of protein variants and microbial fitness.Employ synthetic biology to implement biological circuits in environmental microorganisms and characterize efficacy in test beds of increasing complexity.Engineer microbial communities for robust function.Develop research plans, generate results, and publish peer-reviewed papers.Work with other scientists to write proposals and expand our program into new areas aligned with your expertise and interests.Write reports to funding agencies and participate in scientific conferences.Pursue independent (but complementary) research interests and interact with a broad spectrum of scientists internally and externally to the Laboratory.Publish research results in peer-reviewed scientific or technical journals and present results at external conferences, seminars, and/or technical meeting.Perform other duties as assigned. Qualifications PhD in Biological Sciences, Bioengineering, or a relevant field with a strong emphasis in synthetic biology and microbiology.Expertise and knowledge in bacterial genetics and physiologyExperience in engineering bacterial strains for environmental function. This might include design, assembly, and modeling of genetic circuits.Experience with high throughput screening/selection methodsAbility to develop independent research projects as demonstrated through publication of peer-reviewed literature.Proficient verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills to collaborate effectively in a multidisciplinary team environment and present and explain technical information.

Qualifications we desire

Experience with microbial evolution approaches (e.g., adaptive laboratory evolution)Experience with next-generation sequencing (NGS) execution and/or analysisExperience with in silico protein design/engineering and/or directed experimental evolution of proteinsExperience with gene editing in non-model strains (non-E. coli systems).Experience with bacterial signaling systems (e.g., two component systems, quorum sensing systems)Experience with synthetic microbial communities for bioproduction or environmental applicationExperience in bioinformatics and/or proficiency in programming in one or more of the following languages: Python, Julia, C, C++, R, Java, or Matlab Additional Information

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

Position Information

This is a Postdoctoral appointment with the possibility of extension to a maximum of three years, open to those who have been awarded a PhD at time of hire date.

Why Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory?

Included in 2024 Best Places to Work by Glassdoor!Flexible Benefits Package401(k)Relocation AssistanceEducation Reimbursement ProgramFlexible schedules (*depending on project needs)Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accountability (IDEA) - visit https://www.llnl.gov/diversityOur core beliefs - visit https://www.llnl.gov/diversity/our-values Employee engagement - visit https://www.llnl.gov/diversity/employee-engagement

Security Clearance

None required.  However, if your assignment is longer than 179 days cumulatively within a calendar year, you must go through the Personal Identity Verification process.  This process includes completing an online background investigation form and receiving approval of the background check.  (This process does not apply to foreign nationals.) 

Pre-Employment Drug Test

External applicant(s) selected for this position must pass a post-offer, pre-employment drug test. This includes testing for use of marijuana as Federal Law applies to us as a Federal Contractor.

Wireless and Medical Devices

Per the Department of Energy (DOE), Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory must meet certain restrictions with the use and/or possession of mobile devices in Limited Areas. Depending on your job duties, you may be required to work in a Limited Area where you are not permitted to have a personal and/or laboratory mobile device in your possession.  This includes, but not limited to cell phones, tablets, fitness devices, wireless headphones, and other Bluetooth/wireless enabled devices.  

If you use a medical device, which pairs with a mobile device, you must still follow the rules concerning the mobile device in individual sections within Limited Areas.  Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities require separate approval. Hearing aids without wireless capabilities or wireless that has been disabled are allowed in Limited Areas, Secure Space and Transit/Buffer Space within buildings.

How to identify fake job advertisements

Please be aware of recruitment scams where people or entities are misusing the name of Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) to post fake job advertisements. LLNL never extends an offer without a personal interview and will never charge a fee for joining our company. All current job openings are displayed on the Career Page under “Find Your Job” of our website. If you have encountered a job posting or have been approached with a job offer that you suspect may be fraudulent, we strongly recommend you do not respond.

To learn more about recruitment scams: https://www.llnl.gov/sites/www/files/2023-05/LLNL-Job-Fraud-Statement-Updated-4.26.23.pdf

Equal Employment Opportunity

We are an equal opportunity employer that is committed to providing all with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, marital status, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, medical condition, pregnancy, protected veteran status, age, citizenship, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws.

We invite you to review the Equal Employment Opportunity posters which include EEO is the Law and Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision.

Reasonable Accommodation

Our goal is to create an accessible and inclusive experience for all candidates applying and interviewing at the Laboratory.  If you need a reasonable accommodation during the application or the recruiting process, please use our online form to submit a request. 

California Privacy Notice

The California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) grants privacy rights to all California residents. The law also entitles job applicants, employees, and non-employee workers to be notified of what personal information LLNL collects and for what purpose. The Employee Privacy Notice can be accessed here.

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