Career Center

Berkeley Lab's Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology (EGSB) Division has an opening for a Postdoctoral Fellow to join a new Systems biology and microbiome project.The research will focus on the use of methanotrophic bacteria in reducing methane emissions in rice fields and wetlands.

In this exciting role, you will have the opportunity to develop new genetic tools for non-model bacteria, including those from the plant rhizosphere and field soil and apply these tools to characterize microbial gene function on a massive scale. A recent example of tools developed by the team includes random barcode transposon site sequencing (RB-TnSeq; PMID 2596844), dual barcoded shotgun expression library screening (Dub-seq; PMID 30659179), and magic pools for parallel testing of genetic systems in bacteria (PMID 29359196).

Additionally, you will have the opportunity to work on novel microbial isolates from rice fields and be responsible for the establishment of methodologies that will enable the genome engineering using RB-TnSeq to generate gene mutant libraries, sequencing, and analysis of mutant libraries in plant-microbe experiments in a high throughput manner. Performing plant-microbe bioassays and analyzing sequencing data, you will be expected to present your findings in conferences and in peer-reviewed journals.

Lastly, you will have the opportunity to work with a diverse team based at Berkeley Lab in addition to external collaborators, including those in the ENIGMA and m-CAFEs Scientific Focus Areas (SFAs).

What You Will Do:

• Culture and genetically engineer diverse bacteria.
• Generate and analyze large-scale genetic datasets.
• Design and construction of DNA plasmids.
• Create, design, and execute plant-microbe experiments using barcoded libraries of transposon mutants in diverse microorganisms to investigate metabolism and gene regulation.
• Perform fluorescence microscopy.
• Isolate novel microbes from field soil. Apply bioinformatics tools for the analysis of large-scale genomic/metagenomic data.
• Infer the functions of previously uncharacterized genes and pathways in diverse bacteria using high-throughput genetics data.
• Publish in peer review journals and deliver scientific presentations at scientific meetings.
• Effectively communicate and collaborate with a team of experimental and computational scientists on experimental design, data analysis, and long-term project planning.
• Keep a detailed laboratory notebook and upload data in relevant databases.
• Participation and reporting in research group meetings.

What is Required:

• A recent PhD in Molecular Biology, Microbiology, Biochemistry, Genetics, or a related discipline.
• Experience with microbiology techniques including culturing bacteria.
• Knowledge of molecular biology techniques such as PCR, qPCR, cloning, whole genome amplification.
• Knowledge in microbial ecology, physiology, biochemistry, biogeochemistry, molecular biology and understanding of key and complex biological concepts (genes, pathways, microbial phylogeny).
• Experience with UNIX utilities and filesystems, R statistical analysis platform, and standard bioinformatics tools and databases.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills including the ability to organize/present technical reports and provide a proven track record of recent or pending scientific publications.
• Demonstrated interpersonal skills including experience collaborating with a diverse interdisciplinary research team.

What We Prefer:

• Experience in any of the following areas: microbial genomics, metagenomics, including data processing/ analysis.
• Experience with next generation sequencing platforms (Illumina, PacBio, ONT).
• Familiarity with command line sequence analysis tools (e.g., Last, Hmmer, Megahit, MetaSpades, etc.).

Notes:

• For full consideration, please apply by February 15, 2023 with a Curriculum Vitae (CV) or Resume.
• This is a full-time 2 year, 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.
• The monthly salary range for this position is $4636 - $5995 and is expected to start at $5011 or above. Postdoctoral positions are paid on a step schedule per union contract and salaries will be 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.
• Work will be primarily performed at: West Berkeley Biocenter (Potter St.) -- Bldg. 977, 717 Potter St., Berkeley, CA.

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.

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