Soil Microbiome Postdoctoral Fellow

Berkeley Lab’s (LBNL ) Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology (EGSB ) Division has an opening for a Postdoctoral Fellow to join the Tringe Lab as part of the Microbial Systems Group. 

 

In this exciting role, you will apply multi-omics methods to understand nutrient cycling in soil, particularly as it relates to soil carbon accumulation and storage. This work will be done in the context of the Center for the Restoration of Soil Carbon by Precision Biological Strategies (RESTOR-C), whose goal is to harness plants and microbes to increase carbon flux into soil carbon storage pools to form persistent carbon. 

 

You will work with a collaborative team to obtain sequence data, such as amplicon sequences, isolated genomes, metagenomes and metatranscriptomes, as well as metabolite and biogeochemical data. You will then analyze, integrate, and interpret the information with a variety of standard or custom tools to identify microbial features associated with soil carbon stability. This position may also include planning and executing lab work such as nucleic acid extraction, microbial characterization, plant cultivation and molecular biology experiments. You will store and organize results for presentation and viewing by internal and external project team members and the wider scientific community and prepare results for publication in scientific journals.

 

This position has an anticipated start date of May 6, 2024.

 

What You Will Do:

• Work with Berkeley Lab staff and collaborators to generate microbial community data including ribosomal and internal transcribed spacer amplicon sequences, shotgun metagenome and metatranscriptome sequence data, and isolate genome sequences using Illumina, Pacific Biosciences, and possibly other sequencing technologies. 
• Work with internal and external collaborators to obtain soil biogeochemical data and relevant metadata. 
• Employ off-the-shelf and custom software and web-based analysis tools for processing and analyzing collected data, interpreting results, and communicating conclusions. 
• Plan and execute plant-soil-microbial community research projects in collaboration with internal and external partners. 
• Store and organize results for presentation and viewing by collaborators and the wider scientific community. 
• Interact with internal and external collaborators to ensure efficient communication and completion of analysis projects. 
• Document group analysis procedures and methods for reference. 
• Write results up and present data in figures for publication in peer-reviewed journals. 
• Present research at both internal and external forums.

 

What is Required:

• A recent Ph.D. (within the last 1-2 years) in Life Sciences or a related field with some relevant research experience in both Molecular Biology and Bioinformatics.
• A strong background in Bioinformatics, Molecular Biology, and Genomics.
• Experience with computational methods, databases of genomic information, and methods of analysis of biological sequence data including the Integrated Microbial Genomes database, the R software suite and QIIME analysis software.
• Experience using a PC, Mac and/or UNIX operating systems.
• Experience with basic laboratory techniques, including nucleic acid isolation, library prep, protocol optimization, bacterial growth assays, and sterile technique.
• Strong organizational skills including experience maintaining detailed and accurate records of experiment results and analyzed data.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills including experience organizing/presenting technical reports and demonstrated success in the publication of high-impact work in internationally recognized peer-reviewed journals.
• Demonstrated interpersonal skills including experience collaborating with a diverse interdisciplinary research team.

 

Desired Qualifications:

• Background in Soil Science or Plant Biology.
• Experience with metabolic modeling.

 

Notes:

• For first consideration, please apply with a curriculum vitae (CV) or resume by April 8, 2024.
• This is a full time, exempt from overtime pay (monthly paid), 2 year (benefits eligible), Postdoctoral 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 $5,643-$6,766 and is expected to start at $5,643 or above. Postdoctoral 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 is represented by a union for collective bargaining purposes.
• 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 West Berkeley Biocenter (Potter St.) — Bldg. 977, 717 Potter Street Berkeley, CA 94710.

 

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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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Berkeley Lab is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer. We heartily welcome applications from women, minorities, veterans, and all who would contribute to the Lab’s mission of leading scientific discovery, inclusion, and professionalism. In support of our diverse global community, all qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or protected veteran status. 

 

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