Bioinformaticist Research Scientist (Microbiome Data Science Group - Joint Genome Institute)

Berkeley Lab’s (LBNL) Joint Genome Institute (JGI) has an opening for a Bioinformatics Research Scientist to join the Microbiome Data Science Group!

In this exciting role, you will lead the development of next-generation tools for longitudinal, population-scale microbiome analysis and focus on creating methods to track microbial and viral coevolution over time, enabling dynamic analyses of evolutionary processes rather than static snapshots. You will develop computational frameworks to analyze strain turnover, selective sweeps, viral escape, CRISPR-mediated immunity, and host–virus interactions by integrating genomic, ecological, and environmental data. You will have an opportunity to help drive JGI’s transition from static genome catalogs to predictive microbiome science by building scalable workflows for longitudinal genomics, collaborating with JGI programs and external researchers, and contributing to research that advances the mission of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) in understanding ecosystem function, resilience, and environmental change.

The JGI is a global leader in genome science, helping shape the future of biological discovery through advanced genomic capabilities, expert support, and large-scale, AI-ready data resources. As a Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science user facility supported by the Biological and Environmental Research (BER) program, JGI advances BER’s mission to achieve a predictive understanding of complex biological, Earth, and environmental systems in support of the nation’s energy and infrastructure security. Through world-class capabilities in genome sequencing, synthesis, transcriptomics, metabolomics, natural products, and data science, JGI supports cutting-edge research on plants, fungi, algae, microorganisms, and microbiomes. JGI is headquartered in Berkeley, CA at Berkeley Lab’s Integrative Genomics Building (IGB).

This position has an anticipated start date of August 3, 2026.

We’re here for the same mission, to bring science solutions to the world. Join our team and YOU will play a supporting role in our goal to address global challenges! Have a high level of impact and work for an organization associated with 17 Nobel Prizes!

Why join Berkeley Lab?

We invest in our employees by offering a total rewards package you can count on:

• Exceptional health benefits.
• Generous paid time off, sick time off, and holidays.
• A culture where you’ll belong - we are invested in our teams!

What You Will Do:

• Lead the development of computational frameworks for longitudinal, population-scale microbial and viral genomics analysis.
• Create methods to track evolutionary dynamics, including SNVs, strain turnover, selective sweeps, viral adaptation, and CRISPR-mediated host responses.
• Build scalable, standardized workflows integrating genomic, host–virus, and environmental data within the JGI Data Lakehouse.
• Enable time-resolved analysis of microbial–viral coevolution and its ecological impacts.
• Collaborate with JGI scientists, external researchers, and DOE stakeholders on ecosystem-focused genomics projects.
• Contribute to the design, validation, and AI-enabled capabilities of the Data Lakehouse platform.
• Develop reproducible computational methods linking genomic variation to ecological and system-level processes.
• Perform large-scale data analysis, publish findings, and support high-impact scientific research.
• Mentor junior scientists and work across interdisciplinary teams to advance JGI research goals.

• Present project updates, progress reports, and scientific findings at group meetings.
• Maintain accurate research records, including laboratory notebooks and project tracking documentation.

What We Are Looking For:

• A Ph.D. (or equivalent knowledge/training) in Microbiology, Bioinformatics, Biotechnology, or a related field and a minimum of 2 years of relevant research experience in Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) methodologies and bioinformatics tools, including metagenomics and genome binning or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Demonstrated experience with large-scale analysis of microbial genomes and metagenomes, supported by a strong record of recent or forthcoming publications.
• Experience with viral genomics and host-viral interaction analysis.
• Experience working with longitudinal or time-resolved datasets in microbiome research or related systems. 
• Experience developing scalable computational workflows for high-throughput genomic data analysis. 
• Demonstrated experience with Perl and Python scripting languages, along with experience using Unix tools, relational databases, and R.
• Experience analyzing genomic variation and evolutionary dynamics in microbial populations. 
• Experience with large-scale microbial and/or viral population genomics, including variant-level analysis (e.g., SNVs) and time-series datasets.
• Strong analytical skills including experience identifying issues, troubleshooting complex problems, and recommending appropriate solutions.
• Excellent organizational and record-keeping skills, including experience organizing and presenting technical reports to collaborators, staff, management, and sponsors.
• Demonstrated oral and written communication skills including experience preparing research results, publishing scientific research, delivering presentations, and preparing funding proposals.
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills including experience conducting independent, data-driven research and collaborating with an interdisciplinary research team.

Desired Qualifications:

• A Ph.D. in Microbiology, Bioinformatics, Biotechnology, or a related field. 
• General experience in synthetic biology.
• A strong understanding of microbial population genetics, viral evolution, and host–virus interactions.
• Demonstrated ability to develop scalable, reproducible computational pipelines in distributed or cloud-based environments (e.g., data lakehouse architectures).
• Broad knowledge and understanding of bioinformatics tools for sequence similarity searches, multiple sequence alignment, profile search, clustering, and phylogenetic analysis.

Additional Information:

• Application Date: Priority consideration will be given to candidates who apply with a curriculum vitae (CV) or resume and a cover letter describing their interest in this position by June 23, 2026. Applications will be accepted until the job posting is removed.
• Appointment Type: This is a full time, exempt from overtime pay (monthly paid), 2 year (benefits eligible), Career Track Term appointment with the possibility of extension or conversion to Career appointment based upon satisfactory job performance, continuing availability of funds, and ongoing operational needs.
• Salary Information: This position has a budgeted salary range of $82,860 - $132,588 annually, which fits within the full salary range of $82,860 - $198,888 annually for job code S04.1. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary will be commensurate with the final candidate’s qualification and experience, including skills, knowledge, relevant education, certifications, and aligned with the internal peer group.
• Background Check: This position is 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: This position will be performed onsite at Lawrence Berkeley National Lab located at 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA 94720. Work schedules are dependent on business needs. 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.

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.