Microbial Genomics Postdoctoral Fellow

Berkeley Lab’s (LBNL) Joint Genome Institute (JGI) has an opening for a Microbial Genomics Postdoctoral Fellow to join our Microbial Program! 

In this exciting role, you will develop and implement community standards for genome sequences and metadata from single-cell microeukaryotes, microbial symbioses, and co-cultures. Working with the Genomic Standards Consortium, JGI scientists, and community stakeholders, you will establish reporting standards for genome quality, sample provenance, organismal associations, and linked genomes. In this role, you will translate community requirements into metadata specifications, validate criteria, document, and provide example records. Additionally, you will evaluate standards using JGI datasets, coordinate stakeholder feedback, and support implementation across JGI workflows and public data repositories. The position focuses on community standards development, consensus-building, data interoperability, reproducible validation, peer-reviewed publications, and broad adoption.

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). To learn about more opportunities within JGI, click here.

This position has an anticipated start date of January 25, 2027.

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 Postdoctoral Fellow by offering benefits and resources designed to support your well-being, professional growth, and life outside of work:

• Comprehensive health benefits, including medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Retirement savings through the UC Defined Contribution Safe Harbor Plan, with additional voluntary UC retirement savings options available.
• Personal Time Off (PTO) of 24 days per fiscal year, plus sick leave and paid holidays.
• Opportunities to connect, network, and grow through the Berkeley Lab Postdoc Association, including social events, professional development, and scientific exchange.
• A collaborative and inclusive culture where you can grow your research career and belong

What You Will Do:

• Develop community genome and metadata standards for single-cell microeukaryotes, symbioses, and co-cultures.
• Collaborate with the Genomic Standards Consortium, JGI researchers, and external stakeholders to define reporting requirements for genome quality, provenance, organismal associations, and partner-genome linkage.
• Conduct targeted genome quality and metadata assessments to evaluate and refine standards.
• Create controlled vocabularies, metadata templates, reporting checklists, and submission guidelines.
• Identify reporting gaps and improve validation using representative JGI datasets.
• Develop reproducible computational workflows for genome analysis, metadata integration, and standards validation.
• Integrate genomic, functional, phylogenetic, environmental, and association data for cross-project comparisons and Data Lakehouse applications.
• Publish findings, present at scientific meetings, and share reusable workflows and resources with the research community.
• Support automation of data curation, metadata validation, and computational analyses for single-cell and co-culture genomic datasets. 

• Prepare and present project updates, technical documentation, and reports at group and collaborator meetings.
• Contribute to user-facing documentation and approaches for discovering, comparing, and reusing association-aware genomic datasets in the JGI Data Lakehouse.

What We Are Looking For:

• A recent Ph.D. (within the last 1-2 years) in Computational Biology, Bioinformatics, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, or a related discipline. 
• Strong experience in analysis of microbial genomes and metagenomes, with a proven track record in this area reflected in recent or pending publications.
• Strong programming experience in Python, C/C++, R, or related scientific computing languages.
• Experience with statistical modeling, algorithm development, or large-scale data analytics.
• Strong experience with UNIX utilities and filesystems.
• Strong experience with using standard bioinformatics tools and databases.
• Strong knowledge of Biology/Biochemistry and understanding of key and complex biological concepts (e.g., genes, pathways, microbial phylogeny, and genome evolution).
• Strong organizational skills including experience maintaining detailed and accurate records of results and analyzed data.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills including experience presenting at group meetings and conferences, and publishing research findings.
• Demonstrated interpersonal communication skills including experience conducting independent, data-driven research and collaborating with an interdisciplinary research team.

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience with single-cell genomics, microbial eukaryotes, co-cultures, symbioses, or genome-resolved metagenomics. 
• Familiarity with Genomic Standards Consortium initiatives, community metadata standards, FAIR data principles, or data infrastructure. 
• Machine learning/ AI expertise.
• Demonstrated ability to accurately and eloquently represent and promote scientific projects to audiences of diverse technical backgrounds.

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 December 4, 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), 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 3 years of paid postdoctoral experience. This position is represented by a union for collective bargaining purposes.

• Union Represented: This position is represented by a union for collective bargaining purposes.
• Salary Range: The salary range for this position is $6,048 - $6,743 monthly / $72,576 - $80,916 annually and is expected to start at $6,048 monthly / $72,576 annually 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.
• 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 is eligible for a hybrid work schedule - a combination of teleworking and performing work onsite at Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, located at 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA 94720. A minimum of 2 onsite days per week is required. Work schedules are dependent on business needs. Individuals working a hybrid schedule must reside within 150 miles of Berkeley Lab. 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 final candidate who accepts an offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of substantiated misconduct with a previous employer. For additional information, click here.