Berkeley Lab’s (LBNL ) Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology (EGSB ) Division has an opening for a Postdoctoral Fellow to join the Phage Foundry 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 use high-throughput cultivation and screens to identify controls on phage host dynamics. This work will combine high-throughput cultivation, genetics, microbial physiology, genomics and high-throughput screens. You will work closely with computational and experimental members to develop a rational, mechanistic approach to design of phage-based countermeasures to combat drug-resistant pathogens.  In addition you will help lead the preparation of manuscripts, conference presentations, and annual reports.

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

What You Will Do:

• Perform growth media preparation and microbial cultivation of both pathogenic and non-pathogenic bacteria.

• Monitor microbial growth and metabolic activity in both low and high-throughput.

• Conduct large scale assessments of phage-antibiotic, phage-metal, antibiotic-metal synergies and antagonisms.

• Assess conditional epistasis and mechanistic insights of epistasis.

• Perform laboratory automation and high-throughput screen design.

• Conduct extraction of nucleic acid in low and high-throughput.

• Develop approaches for rational design of antimicrobial cocktails composed of phage or phage plus small molecules (e.g. antibiotics).

• Collaborate with wet-lab and computational scientists.

• Analyze systems biology datasets and develop mechanistic understanding of phage-microbe interactions.

• Write scientific articles and publish in peer-reviewed journals.

• Keep a detailed laboratory notebook and upload well-documented data to relevant databases.

• Keep abreast of current scientific literature.

• Prepare reports and standard operating procedures.

• Participate and report in research group meetings and present at conferences.

What is Required:

• A recent Ph.D. (within the last 1-2 years) in Biochemistry, Microbiology, or related fields.

• Experience with analysis of high-throughput screening, genomics, and other systems biology datasets.

• Experience with cultivation of pathogenic and non-pathogenic microorganisms and phage.

• Experience with large scale cultivation, quality control, and data analysis.

• Demonstrated ability to learn and implement new experimentation techniques.

• Strong analytical skills including the ability to troubleshoot issues and recommend solutions.

• 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 microbial cultivation including a background in phage and microbial physiology and/or biochemistry.

• Experience making Illumina sequencing libraries.  

• Experience with analytic instrumentation including GC-MS, LC-MS, ion chromatography, spectroscopy, protein purification, laboratory automation, Illumina or nanopore sequencing.

Notes:

• For first consideration, please apply with a curriculum vitae (CV) or resume by October 16, 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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