Postdoctoral Fellow (Quantitative Modeling Group)

Berkeley Lab’s (LBNL) Biological Systems and Engineering (BSE) Division has an opening for a Postdoctoral Fellow to join the Quantitative Modeling Group led by Héctor García Martín to develop machine learning algorithms, mechanistic models, data science pipelines, and automated workflows to design cells to produce renewable products and combat climate change. You will have the opportunity to design cells to a specification, bring synthetic biology to its full potential, and enable self-driving labs.  

In this exciting role, you will work as part of a collaborative team to integrate microbial phenotypic data (e.g. fluxomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics) into quantitative computational models able to predict and explain the outcomes of bioengineering interventions. You will work closely with an interdisciplinary team of bench scientists, automation engineers, and software developers in devising methods for high-throughput data collection and analysis for feedback into experimental design, as part of the Agile BioFoundry and the Joint BioEnergy Institute.

This position has an anticipated start date of March 3, 2025.

What You Will Do:

• Integrate and analyze data. 
• Develop quantitative predictive models of cell metabolism.
• Integrate transcriptomic, proteomic, and metabolomic data into quantitative models.
• Use Monte Carlo approaches to model biological system behavior.
• Use machine-learning and data-mining approaches to guide the synthetic biology process.
• Develop new machine-learning algorithms. 
• Combine machine learning and mechanistic approaches.
• Develop and optimize code and algorithms for predictive models.
• Combine algorithms and automation to enable self-driving labs and automate the scientific process. 
• Interact continuously with experimentalists and automation scientists to guide and propose new experiments and use available data to its full potential.
• Interact continuously with software engineers to provide code using best practices. 
• Resolve problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines. 
• Prepare research results for publication and present at scientific and internal meetings.

What is Required:

• A recent PhD (within the last 1-2 years) in Systems Biology, Bioengineering, Computational Biology, Bioinformatics, Applied Mathematics, Physics, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a closely related discipline.
• Demonstrated experience in Python or other major programming languages.
• Proven experience in Linux including file systems, shell, hardware/software monitoring, etc.
• Strong mathematical background and analytical skills.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to organize technical/scientific information, publish in top journals as a first author, and present at conferences.
• Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with a diverse, interdisciplinary research team.

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience in metabolic flux analysis.
• Experience on experimental lab work. 
• Knowledge of microbiology and microbial metabolism.
• Strong interest in microbiology and bacterial metabolism.

Notes:

• For full consideration, please apply with a curriculum vitae (CV) or resume and a cover letter describing your interest by February 15, 2025.
• 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 $7,828 - $8,742 and is expected to start at $7,828 or above. Postdoctoral positions are paid on a step schedule per union contract and salaries will be predetermined based on postdoctoral step rates. Each step represents one full year of completed post-Ph.D. postdoctoral experience.
• 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.
• 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 (ESE) Operations Center located in Building 978 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. To view information about the many rewards that are offered at Berkeley Lab- Click Here.

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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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