Biologist Postdoctoral Fellow (ID: 102552)

Berkeley Lab’s (LBNL) Biological Systems and Engineering (BSE) Division has an opening for a Postdoctoral Fellow to join the Deconstruction Division at the Joint BioEnergy Institute (JBEI) located in Emeryville, CA.

This role offers the opportunity to contribute to pioneering research in the development of biotechnology-relevant hosts and anaerobic consortia for the production of biofuels and bioproducts. The successful candidate will work on a cutting-edge project with two primary goals:

1. C1 Molecule Conversion: Engineer and adapt microbial strains capable of converting C1 molecules into biofuels and bioproducts. The project will involve examining these strains under various cultivation modes and scales using multi-omics methods. The data generated will inform biodesign approaches to develop robust host chassis capable of maintaining stable production phenotypes for extended periods, suitable for industrial scale-up and production.
2. Industrial Condition Productivity: Generate strains that demonstrate high productivity under industrial conditions, such as low oxygen, high gravity, and mixed carbon source environments.

This position has an anticipated start date of March 1, 2025.

What You Will Do:

• Select anaerobic microbiomes for C1 conversion, with a focus on acetogenic consortia, guided by omics data.
• Utilize omics tools (metabolomics, proteomics) in combination with functional genomics to explore metabolic routes to medium-chain fatty acids. 
• Apply adaptive laboratory evolution (ALE) techniques to anaerobic microbes and microbial consortia. 
• Use labeling techniques (e.g., non-canonical amino acids) to investigate the metabolic potential of uncultured microorganisms. 
• Develop and optimize culture conditions and biodesign strategies in key microbial hosts to enhance strain capacity and sustain high productivity over time, particularly in acetogens. 
• Publish research findings in high-impact peer-review journals and contribute to scientific papers and reports. 
• Present research results at international conferences and meetings.

What is Required:

• A recent Ph.D. (within the last 1-2 years) in Environmental Biology, Biotechnology, Microbiology, Biochemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a related field.
• Experience with gas fermentation and/or working with acetogenic consortia.
• Experience with analytical techniques such as HPLC, GC, FACS, or cell attachment/immobilization methods.
• Strong computational analysis skills, including experience with genomics data, RNA sequencing, and other sequencing data.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, with a track record of organizing and presenting technical and scientific information, publishing  as a first author in top-tier journals, and presenting at conferences.
• Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with a diverse, interdisciplinary research team.

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience in Microbiology or Systems Biology research and development.
• Hands-on experience with bioreactors, such as AMBR250 and Sartorius.
• Expertise in microbial chain elongation processes.
• Excellent publication record.

Notes:

• For full consideration, please apply with a Curriculum Vitae (CV) or Resume by November 15, 2024.
• 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 for Postdoctoral positions depends on years of experience post-degree.
• The monthly salary range for this position is $5,841 - $7,003 and is expected to start at $5,841 or above. Postdoctoral Fellow positions are represented by a union for collective bargaining purposes and are paid on a step schedule per union contract. 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 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.
• This position will be performed onsite at the Emeryville Station East Operations Center (ESE) — Bldg. 978, located at 5885 Hollis Street, Emeryville, CA 94608.

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Berkeley Lab (LBNL) addresses the world’s most urgent scientific challenges by advancing sustainable energy, protecting human health, creating new materials, and revealing the origin and fate of the universe. Founded in 1931, Berkeley Lab’s scientific expertise has been recognized with 16 Nobel prizes. The University of California manages Berkeley Lab for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Science.

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