Berkeley Lab’s (LBNL ) Joint Genome Institute (JGI ) has an opening for a Metabolomics Postdoctoral Fellow to join the team.

In this exciting role, you will join a cross-functional team to discover new secondary metabolites produced by soil microbes and plants using mass spectrometry-based metabolomics and fabricated ecosystems to understand their functions especially in mediating interactions within the rhizosphere.

Microbial communities comprise the dominant life form on earth and are critical to promoting plant growth. Increasingly we are turning to beneficial microbes for sustainable agriculture and production of bioproducts. Secondary metabolites enable critical environmental adaptations and communication within the rhizosphere. Unfortunately, the biosynthesis and functions of these incredibly diverse metabolites are often poorly understood.

The JGI ’s mission is to provide the global research community with access to the most advanced integrative genome science capabilities in support of the DOEs research mission to solve the world’s evolving energy and environmental challenges. The JGI supports projects in genome sequencing, synthesis, transcriptomics, metabolomics, and natural products in plants, fungi, algae, and microorganisms. This position is headquartered on the Lab’s main site at the Integrative Genomics Building (IGB) (Virtual Tour ).

What You Will Do:

• Work within a multi-functional team to perform LC-MS/MS based metabolomic analyses to characterize secondary metabolites.

• Fractionate secondary metabolites for characterization of their biological activities.

• Use fabricated ecosystems (https://eco-fab.org/ to understand how secondary metabolites mediate activities within the rhizosphere.

• Analyze and integrate results.

• Publish scientific papers in peer-reviewed journals and present findings at seminars and conferences.

• Collaborate with other members of the program project research team.

What is Required:

• A recent Ph.D. (within the last 1-3 years) in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Chemical Biology, Environmental Microbiology, Plant Biology, Chemical Engineering, Bioengineering, or a related field.

• Extensive experience characterizing secondary metabolites from microbes, plants, and/or soils using mass spectrometry data.

• Experience culturing microorganisms, plants, and studying their interactions.

• Experience performing bioactivity assays.

• Demonstrated experience using HPLC to fractionate secondary metabolites.

• Experience performing statistical analysis.

• Excellent oral and written communication skills including the ability to organize/present technical reports and provide a proven track record of recent or pending scientific publications.

• Demonstrated interpersonal skills including experience collaborating with a diverse interdisciplinary research team.

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience in Molecular Biology, Microbial Physiology, and/or Metabolomics.

• Experience working with both microbes and plants.

• Training in natural product chemistry or related fields.

• Strong knowledge of natural product biosynthetic pathways and biosynthetic gene clusters.

• Experience with LC-MS/MS and/or NMR.

• Strong background in analytical instrumentation.

• Strong knowledge of natural product biosynthetic pathways and biosynthetic gene clusters. 

• Strong background in microbial physiology and metabolism.

Notes:

• For first consideration, please apply with a curriculum vitae (CV) or resume by October 23, 2023.

• 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.

• The monthly salary range for this position is $5,643 - $6,766 and is expected to start at $5,643 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.

• This position is represented by a union for collective bargaining purposes.

• 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 is eligible for onsite, hybrid, full time telework, or remote work. Remote workers are defined as individuals that reside within the United States, but 150 miles away from Berkeley Lab. There may be an expectation to intermittently conduct work, attend meetings, and train on site at Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA.  Work schedules are dependent on business needs.

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.

Berkeley Lab’s Postdoc Program is committed to providing Postdoctoral Researchers and Visiting scholars with a positive and impactful experience to jump-start their career through premium research and career development, networking opportunities, mentoring programs, and a strong community.  For more information, please visit our Berkeley Lab Postdoc Resources site and our Berkeley Lab Postdoc Association site.

Berkeley Lab is committed to Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accountability (IDEA) and strives to continue building community with these shared values and commitments.

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. In support of our diverse 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, or protected veteran status. 

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