Postdoctoral Fellow - Microbial Genomics and Engineered Living Materials

Lawrence Berkeley National Lab's (LBNL) Molecular Foundry Division has an opening for a Postdoctoral Fellow - Microbial Genomics and Engineered Living Materials to join the team in collaboration with the Joint Genome Institute (JGI), as part of the Genome-encoded BioNanoMaterials group.

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).

Want to learn more about working at Berkeley Lab? Please visit: careers.lbl.gov

Equal Employment Opportunity Employer: The foundation of Berkeley Lab is our Stewardship Values: Team Science, Service, Trust, Innovation, and Respect; and we strive to build community with these shared values and commitments. Berkeley Lab is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We heartily welcome applications from all who could contribute to the Lab's mission of leading scientific discovery, excellence, and professionalism. In support of our rich 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, protected veteran status, or other protected categories under State and Federal law.

Berkeley Lab is a University of California employer. It is the policy of the University of California to undertake affirmative action and anti-discrimination efforts, consistent with its obligations as a Federal and State contractor.

Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct, are currently being investigated for misconduct, left a position during an investigation for alleged misconduct, or have filed an appeal with a previous employer.