C-1 Bioconversion Research Scientist

Berkeley Lab’s (LBNL) Biological Systems and Engineering (BSE) Division is looking for a C-1 Bioconversion Research Scientist to join the C-1 Biomanufacturing Research Team led by Dr. Blake Simmons located in Emeryville, CA.In this exciting role, you will work on developing multiple biotechnology relevant hosts related to the conversion of CO2, CH4, and other C-1 inputs into biofuels and bioproducts.Specifically, the project has two main goals:Generating strains that have been engineered to be capable of converting C-1 into biofuels and bioproducts. Engineered and modified strains will be examined under a variety of cultivation modes and scales using multi-omics methods. The resulting systems biology data will be used to develop biodesign approaches to build host chassis that can maintain production phenotype in a stable and reliable manner for longer periods of time in cultivation regimes required for industrial scale-up and production. This includes the development of microbes that can be integrated within an electrocatalytic process for the tandem abiotic-biotic conversion of gaseous inputs.Generating strains that show high productivity in industrially relevant conditions – such as pressurized gas fermenters and electrochemical reactors.This position has an anticipated start date of November 15, 2024.What You Will Do:Omics-guided selection of environmental microbiome for C1 bioconversion.Isolation of marine organisms and metabolic analysis (HPLC, GC).Establish metabolic engineering and pathway activity assays.Apply omics tools (metabolomics, proteomics), coupled with advanced genomics to engineer strains.Identify genetic modifications required to improve strain performance and stability during scale-up and using industrially relevant carbon sources at pressure.Examine engineered strains in a range of cultivation modes and regimes to collect growth and production data, and samples for multi-omics experiments (RNAseq, resequencing, protein and metabolite analysis).Collaborate with analytical and computational teams at Berkeley Lab to develop quantitative metabolic and stress response models that impact production levels and production phenotype stability.Develop tools to deploy genetic modifications and biodesign strategies in key microbial hosts, including methanotrophs and betaproteobacteria.Participate in group meetings and seminars.Lead the development and authorship of peer-reviewed publications.Lead the development and submission of proposals to internal and external funding opportunities.Maintain an accurate and detailed scientific logbook of all experiments performed. Ensure that others could reproduce results.Train Research Assistants and assist others in the lab who require guidance with computational methods and data analysis.Serve as a work lead and mentor to postdoctoral fellows, research associates, and research assistants in the project.Assist with writing research proposals, peer-reviewed publications and records of inventions.Take responsibility for a key piece of equipment or lab area.Maintain an electronic lab notebook, maintain appropriate records and manage data, archive strains and plasmids.Provide detailed six-monthly reports that can be used as part of manuscript for peer reviewed journals.What is Required:A Ph.D. (or equivalent knowledge/training) in Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Chemical Engineering, Applied Microbiology, Biotechnology, or a related field and minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in biotechnology applications that use Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Systems Biology research and development in the study of microbiomes and microbial systems.Experience working with microbes capable of converting C-1 inputs.Experience with gas fermentation.Experience with bioreactors such as AMBR250 and Sartorius.Experience undertaking a mechanistic evaluation of regulation and transcription in biological systems.Experience working in collaboration with user-facilities and other computations/analytical teams.Demonstrated record of publication and a successful record of grant writing.Excellent oral and written communication skills including experience promoting and presenting scientific projects to a variety of audiences.Demonstrated interpersonal skills including experience collaborating with diverse teams of scientific, operations, and technical staff.Desired Qualifications:Ph.D. in Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Chemical Engineering, Applied Microbiology, Biotechnology, or a related field.Experience serving as Postdoctoral Fellow.Experience training and directing the work of early career, technical support staff, and/or students.Experience working in a national lab environment.Notes:For full consideration, please apply with a curriculum vitae (CV) or resume by October 25, 2024.This is a full-time career appointment, exempt (monthly paid) from overtime pay.This position is expected to pay $101,216 - $161,931 per year for job code S05.2. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary for this position will be commensurate with the final candidate’s qualification and experience, including skills, knowledge, relevant education, certifications, and aligned with the internal peer group.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.This position will be performed onsite at the Emeryville Station East Operations Center (ESE) — Bldg. 978, located at 5885 Hollis Street, Emeryville, CA 94608.Learn About Us: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 16 Nobel prizes. The University of California manages Berkeley Lab for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Science.Working at Berkeley Lab has many rewards including a competitive compensation program, excellent health and welfare programs, a retirement program that is second to none, and outstanding development opportunities.Berkeley Lab is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer. We heartily welcome applications from women, minorities, veterans, and all who would contribute to the Lab’s mission of leading scientific discovery, inclusion, and professionalism.

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