Plant Biochemistry Postdoctoral Scholar

Berkeley Lab’s Environmental Genomics & Systems BiologyDivision has an opening for a Plant Biochemistry postdoc.   The postdoctoral fellow will be part of the Cell Wall Biology Group led by Henrik Scheller, and part of the Feedstocks Division at the Joint BioEnergy Institute (JBEI). Specifically,  this position will be involved in projects relating to cell wall biosynthesis: (1) engineer bioenergy crops with improved cell wall composition and determine their resilience to environmental stress, (2)identify and characterize enzymes involved in glycan biosynthesis in sorghum and other plants. 

What You Will Do:

• Make constructs for sorghum transformation and work with collaborators who do the transformation

• Characterize the biomass composition, growth, and resilience to abiotic stress of transgenic plants 

•  Identify candidate glycosyltransferases in sorghum and determine their substrate specificity and function by biochemical characterization of heterologously expressed proteins

• Characterize plant cell walls in mutant and transgenic plants

• Prepare manuscripts for publication and assist with the development of funding proposals and patents

• Participate in group meetings and seminars

• Maintain an accurate and detailed electronic scientific logbook of all experiments performed.  Store all data generated in an organized and secure way. Ensure that others could duplicate results. 

Additional Responsibilities as needed:

• Responsible for training research assistants and assisting others in the lab who require guidance with plant cell wall biochemistry and molecular biology 

What is Required: 

• Recent PhD in plant biology, biochemistry, or related field

• Experience with plant transformation and/or making constructs for plant transformation

• Experience with characterization of heterologously expressed enzymes

• Demonstrated ability to conduct experiments independently, maintain appropriate records and manage data

• Strong collaborative skills and ability to work in a team environment

• Good verbal and written communication skills

Additional Desired Qualifications:

• Experience with characterization of complex carbohydrates

• Experience with abiotic stress response in plants

• Experience with characterization or purification of membrane proteins

The posting shall remain open until the position is filled.

Notes: 

• This is a full time 2-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 3 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."