Chemical Engineering Postdoctoral Scholar
Berkeley Lab’s Biological Systems and Engineering Division has an opening for a Chemical Engineering Postdoctoral Scholar. You will be part of the Biofuels and Bioproducts Division of JBEI that focuses on metabolic engineering of microbial biofuel production. Specifically, this position will be involved in using genetically engineered bacteria (E. coli and/or P. putida) and/or yeast (S. cerevisiae and/or R. toruloides) host and metabolic pathways to achieve improved isoprenoid biofuel production both in small and large scale and improved host properties such as enhanced resistance to toxic byproducts. You will also use a variety of tools such as synthetic biology, advanced cloning technology, product analysis (LC/MS, GC/MS), protein engineering, and fermentation.
What You Will Do:
Perform and analyze metabolic engineering experiments for biofuel production.
Develop an improved biofuel producing strain – host engineering, transcription and translation engineering, fuel-tolerant strain engineering.
Perform biofuel production experiments both in small flask scale to 1-L fermenter scale.
Develop methods to assay for the increase in the specific production of fuel.
Assist with the development of funding proposals and preparation of manuscripts for publication.
Additional Responsibilities as needed:
Prepare and assist with the development of funding proposals and patents.
Participate in group meetings and seminars.
Maintain an accurate and detailed scientific logbook of all experiments performed and ensure that others can duplicate results.
What Is Required:
Recent Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, or related areas.
Experience with model organisms such as E. coli and/or yeast.
Experience with analytical tools such as HPLC and GC.
Experience with bioreactors.
Experience with protein engineering and enzyme kinetics.
Ability to work with the guidance of the principal investigator and collaborators.
Ability to conduct experiments independently, maintain appropriate records and manage data.
Experience with scientific journal writing submissions and ability to write above average reviews and articles for submission.
Additional Desired Qualifications:
Experience in a chemistry lab with extraction, column purification.
Genome-scale informatics.
Chemical lab technique (extraction/purification)
Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to write grant proposals and establish independent funding.
The posting shall remain open until the position is filled.
Notes:
This is a full time, 1 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 4 years of paid postdoctoral experience. Salary for Postdoctoral positions depends on years of experience post-degree.
Full-time, M-F, exempt (monthly paid) from overtime pay.
This position is represented by a union for collective bargaining purposes.
Salary will be predetermined based on postdoctoral step rates.
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 Joint BioEnergy Institute (JBEI) — Bldg. 978, 5885 Hollis St., 4th floor, Emeryville, CA.
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 13 Nobel prizes. The University of California manages Berkeley Lab for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Science.
Equal Employment Opportunity: Berkeley Lab is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or protected veteran status. Berkeley Lab is in compliance with the Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision under 41 CFR 60-1.4. Click here to view the poster and supplement: "Equal Employment Opportunity is the Law."