Bioreactor Microbial Heterogeneity Postdoctoral Fellow

Berkeley Lab’s (LBNL ) Biological Systems and Engineering (BSE ) Division has an opening for a Postdoctoral Fellow to join the Department of Energy’s (DOE ) Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) funded by the Agile BioFoundry located at the Advanced Biofuels and Bioproducts Process Development Unit (ABPDU ).

 

In this exciting role, you will focus on studying media and process optimization in bioreactor cultivations to develop an understanding on their impact on microbial physiology. You will design experiments to quantify cell-to-cell heterogeneity in bioreactors and devise solutions to address the variability problem and prolong biocatalysis during fermentations, enabling more robust biomanufacturing processes. This is a highly collaborative project and you will have the opportunity to work with a number of different groups within and outside the Lab, including groups at other National Labs and universities. The learnings from these studies will not only be published but also tested with industrial collaborators at the ABPDU.

 

This position has an anticipated start date of December 1, 2023.

 

What You Will Do:

• Learn and execute bioreactor cultivations and perform a range of phenotypic and biochemical analyses.
• Develop single cell reporter assays to monitor key metabolic processes and potential roles in controlling strain productivity under varied experimental conditions.
• Collaborate with institutes, such as the Joint Genome Institute and Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory, to conduct large-scale whole-genomic next-generation sequencing and -omic analyses.
• Strategize and write grants to obtain additional funding on the topic of systems-level microbial heterogeneity occurring during bioreactor cultivation.
• Draft manuscripts describing experimental work.
• Attend group meetings and present results and discuss plans with funders.

 

What is Required:

• A recent Ph.D. (within the last 1-3 years) in Evolutionary Microbiology, Systems Biology, Environmental Microbiology, Ecology, Biochemical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a related field.
• Experience analyzing and interpreting -omic data using strong quantitative and computational skills.
• Familiarity with microbial imaging techniques.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills including the ability to organize technical/scientific information, publish in top journals, and present at conferences.
• Demonstrated interpersonal skills including the ability to collaborate with a diverse interdisciplinary research team.

 

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience contributing to publications in peer-reviewed journals.
• Experience employing imaging tools as a method to observe phenotypic changes, such as with fluorescence microscopy, confocal microscopy, FACS, or cryoEM techniques to help resolve subcellular localization.
• Experience in prokaryotic protein localization analysis. 
• Experience in applying machine learning based methods to media and process optimization. 

 

Notes:

·     For first consideration, please apply with a curriculum vitae (CV) or resume by November 6, 2023.

·     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.

·     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 Emeryville Station East Operations Center (ESE) — Bldg. 978, located at 5885 Hollis St., 4th floor, Emeryville, CA 94608.

 

Learn About Us:

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.

 

Berkeley Lab’s Postdoc Program is committed to providing Postdoctoral Researchers and Visiting scholars with a positive and impactful experience to jump-start their career through premium research and career development, networking opportunities, mentoring programs, and a strong community.  For more information, please visit our Berkeley Lab Postdoc Resources site and our Berkeley Lab Postdoc Association site.

 

Berkeley Lab is committed to Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accountability (IDEA) and strives to continue building community with these shared values and commitments.

 

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. 

 

Equal Opportunity and IDEA Information Links:

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