Berkeley Lab’s (LBNL ) Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology (EGSB ) Division has an opening for a Postdoctoral Fellow to join in the Deutschbauer Lab as part of the Department of Energy’s (DOE ) Biopreparedness Research Virtual Environment (BRaVE) initiative.

The BRaVE Phage Foundry is a high-throughput platform for rapid design and development of countermeasures to combat emerging drug-resistant pathogens. This collaborative effort is meant to rapidly develop novel countermeasures against emerging bacterial pathogens.
In this role, you will develop and apply molecular genetic tools (including barcoded transposon mutagenesis and CRISPR-Cas tools) in bacterial pathogens and bacteriophages. You will analyze these datasets to gain new insights into antibiotic resistance, metabolism, phage host range, and phage/antibiotic interactions. 

Collaborating with team members, you will implement machine learning approaches to predict the efficacy of phage/antibiotic combinations against specific pathogens and test these predictions under in-vitro conditions and in animal and plant models. To meet these goals, you will collaborate closely with the BRaVE Phage Foundry experimental and computational teams.

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

What You Will Do:

• Develop genetic tools (including barcoded transposon mutagenesis, barcoded gene overexpression, targeted gene knockouts, CRISPR-Cas mediated gene editing) in pathogenic bacteria.

• Perform investigations into microbial gene functions related to phage-bacteria interactions, metabolism, and antibiotic resistance using high-throughput genetic tools.

• Collaborate with BRaVE Phage Foundry experimental and computational team members to design experiments so the data developed can be used to predict phage modifications, phage cocktail compositions, and to test the effectiveness of these compositions. 

• Present data at meetings and conferences

• Keep abreast of current scientific literature.

• Publish results in peer-reviewed journals. 

• Participate and provide periodic updates in lab group meetings. 

• Upon request, report findings to the funding agency.

• Ensure all data and models are FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Reusable) and well-documented. 

• Maintain a comprehensible and trackable laboratory/computational notebook so that the provenance of data and analysis can be tracked. 

• Ensure accessibility of reports, protocols, presentations, and manuscripts for the larger program.

What is Required:

• A recent Ph.D. (within the last 1-2 years) in Molecular Biology, Microbiology, Genetics, or a related field.

• Advanced Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, and Microbiology skills.

• Experience designing and cloning DNA constructs.

• Experience with functional genomic techniques including whole-genome DNA sequencing, transcriptomics, and analysis of Tn-seq data.

• Experience analyzing large datasets.

• 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:

• Experience with programming and using liquid handling robots.

• Demonstrated ability to analyze Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) DNA data.

• Working knowledge of R or Python.

• Experience culturing bacteria under anaerobic conditions.

Notes:

• For first consideration, please apply with a curriculum vitae (CV) or resume by October 11, 2023.

• This is a full time, exempt from overtime pay (monthly paid), 3 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 2 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 either the West Berkeley Biocenter (Potter St.) — Bldg. 977, 717 Potter St., Berkeley, CA 94710.

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. 

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