Berkeley Lab's Biological Systems and Engineering (BE ) Division is looking for a Director of Catalytic Lignin Depolymerization to join the leadership team at the Joint BioEnergy Institute (JBEI ) within their Depolymerization group at the Emery Station Operations Center in Emeryville, CA.

In this exciting role, you will be responsible for leading the effort in developing innovative strategies to depolymerize and valorize lignin with an emphasis on developing relatively milder processes using combinations of catalysts and advanced solvents, such as ionic liquids and deep eutectic solvents that solubilize lignin, and depolymerization of that lignin into bioavailable intermediates. You will develop and demonstrate oxidative processes that will generate more bioavailable depolymerized lignin streams for further upgrading using JBEI’s engineered microbial hosts. In addition, milder processes must be explored to further enhance product selectivity using multifunctional photocatalysts (redox chemistries using oxynitrides and oxysulfides) that mitigate band gap energy and facilitate cleavage of C-O and C-C bonds in lignin into functionalized aromatics under visible light, while keeping holocellulose intact.

As a thought leader in the BE Division, you will lead a team of scientists, engineers, and technicians to carry out experiments and simulations. Project work is a key component of the position beyond JBEI, and the expectation is that you will be a leader in identifying and securing funding to further enhance the ability of the Division to conduct work in support of the bioeconomy. You will have the opportunity to establish a culture of excellence and inclusion by developing and recruiting a diverse team of outstanding scientists and staff, enthusiastically supporting, and promoting their career development.

What You Will Do: 

• Provide scientific and program leadership for JBEI research programs in biomass deconstruction and lignin depolymerization that includes supervising employees, including scientists, postdoctoral fellows, professional staff, affiliates, and students. 
• Actively track and report progress made on JBEI research objectives.
• Develop new initiatives advancing a long-term research vision and strategic plan aligned with the Department of Energy (DOE ) and national goals, in collaboration with the BE Division and Berkeley Lab leadership.
• Play a leadership role in planning, managing, and performing forefront investigations in developing new routes for lignin depolymerization and valorization.
• Foster strong relationships with partner divisions, laboratories, and institutions, and effectively generate and manage project roles.
• Address management and resource challenges of a complex program.
• Maintain a safe working environment, engaging staff and ensuring the proper safety processes and disposition of waste materials.
• Foster a culture of diversity, inclusion, equity, and accountability by following best practices including engaging with staff at all levels.
• Participate strongly in community planning and review activities.
• Disseminate personal and program experimental and research results via publications in refereed journals and presentations.
• Exercise independent judgment and contribute in an original manner at the program level.
• Independently solve complex problems using ingenuity, creativity, and advanced scientific principles.
• Participate in Division planning with program heads, Deputies and Director, and develop relationships and interact with staff in the Division, Laboratory and externally.

What is Required:

• A minimum of 15 years of relevant experience beyond the highest customary degree appropriate in a related discipline.
• Recognized as an expert in an area of biomass deconstruction, biomass pretreatment, and/or lignin catalysis.
• A successful track record of developing multi-partner initiatives and programs, obtaining funding to support staff, and the ability to develop and maintain an independent research program.
• Demonstrated experience serving as a technical leader in the management of scientific projects and collaborative science with multidisciplinary research teams.
• Demonstrated ability to manage a research group, prepare results for publication, and present them at seminars and scientific meetings.
• Demonstrated oral and written communication skills including a strong record of research accomplishments, as evidenced by scholarly publications, patents, development and release of software products, and/or funded research grants.
• Excellent interpersonal skills including experience engaging with all levels of management and building relationships with collaborators both internal and external to the organization.
• Demonstrated commitment to Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accountability (IDEA ).

What We Prefer:

• Ph.D. in Biophysics, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Biochemical Engineering, or a related field. 
• Demonstrated ability to design, guide and carry through an experimental project from initiation to meaningful conclusion.
• Knowledge of the challenges and opportunities in the bioenergy enterprise.

Notes:

• For full consideration, please apply with a resume by January 5, 2023. 
• This is a full-time career appointment, exempt (monthly paid) from overtime pay.
• 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 onsite at: Emeryville Station East (ESE) — Bldg. 978, 5885 Hollis St., 4th floor, Emeryville, CA.

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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.

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