Postdoctoral Fellow (BioDesign Group - Joint Genome Institute)

Berkeley Lab’s (LBNL) Joint Genome Institute (JGI) has an opening for a Postdoctoral Fellow to join the BioDesign Group!

In this exciting role, you will develop a high-throughput platform to discover and screen Critical minerals and materials (CMMs) transporters. This platform will enable functional screening of large transporter libraries across multiple metals, generating sequence-to-function datasets to advance transporter discovery and engineering for domestic CMM recovery. CMMs, including cobalt, nickel, rare earth elements, zinc, manganese, and copper, are essential for modern technologies and clean energy. Microbes naturally extract and concentrate these metals using specialized membrane transporters, offering a promising strategy for CMM biorecovery. However, most candidate transporters remain uncharacterized, limiting their application. You will join a collaborative, multidisciplinary team with expertise in DNA synthesis, metal biology, high-throughput sequencing, and data science, while leading independent experimental design and execution.

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 October 1, 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:

• Collaborate with project team members to design, develop, and validate a high-throughput sequencing-based platform for screening metal transporters.
• Apply the platform to large-scale transporter discovery by performing gene mining, constructing and screening transporter libraries, engineering microbial hosts, and analyzing pooled sequencing data to identify transporter function.
• Interpret and present research findings at group meetings and project team discussions.
• Maintain accurate laboratory records and manage project resources, including vectors, strains, and digital datasets.
• Organize results for publications and presentations shared with JGI staff, collaborators, and the broader scientific community.
• Communicate research progress and contribute effectively within a multidisciplinary team.
• Disseminate findings through peer-reviewed publications and presentations at national conferences.

What is Required:

• A recent Ph.D. (within the last 1-2 years) in Molecular Biology, Microbiology, Synthetic Biology or a related field.
• Demonstrated hands-on experience in bacterial genetics, molecular cloning, plasmid design, and strain engineering.
• Working knowledge of bioinformatics principles and sequencing analysis.
• 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 Skills/Knowledge:

• Experience with gene circuits or metal biology.
• Documented knowledge of high throughput method design and/or barcode-based screening.

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 August 11, 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.

• Salary Range: The salary range for this position is $5,929 - $7,108 monthly / $71,148 - $85,296 annually and is expected to start at $5,929 monthly / $71,148 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 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.