Biologist Postdoctoral Fellow - 76108
 

The Earth Sciences division has an opening for a postdoctoral scholar with experience in molecular environmental microbiology and microbial physiology to engage in state-of-the-art research on biogeochemical cycling of carbon and related elements (especially N, S, and Fe) mediated by subsurface microbial communities. The successful candidate will lead experiments using laboratory flow-through columns to observe the responses of suboxic aquifer microbial communities to perturbations such as the introduction of dissolved oxygen or different carbon sources; these studies will entail synoptic metagenomic, metatranscriptomic, metaproteomic, and geochemical characterization (including key organic and inorganic metabolites). In addition, physiological studies will be conducted with pure and mixed cultures to determine kinetic parameters (in high throughput with fluorogenic substrates) and to validate functional predictions based on gene annotation. This project will be part of a large multidisciplinary effort at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.

Responsibilities:
• Set up and oversee flow-through column experiments with aquifer material that will entail extraction and purification of community DNA and RNA, construction of DNA and cDNA libraries for Illumina sequencing, as well as measurement of substrates and metabolites.
• Participate in physiological experiments with pure and mixed microbial cultures of anaerobic environmental bacteria.
• Assist in the analysis of omic and geochemical data using cutting-edge metagenomic analysis techniques.
• Assist in the preparation of manuscripts for high-impact journals.

Qualifications:
• Recent Ph.D. in Microbiology, Molecular and Cell Biology, Environmental Engineering & Science, or a related field of science.
• Experience performing laboratory research using standard techniques of molecular biology, including extraction and manipulation of RNA and genomic and plasmid DNA, gel electrophoresis, and PCR (Including qPCR and RT-qPCR and primer design).
• Experience in culturing environmental bacteria (preferably anaerobic bacteria).
• Experience with microbial physiology, preferably under anaerobic conditions.
• Familiarity with bioinformatics.
• Ability to work with guidance from a principal investigator and collaborators as well as to conduct experiments independently, maintain appropriate records, and manage data.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills along with good organizational and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work in a team environment and effectively interact with a broad range of colleagues.

Preferred additional experience:
• Experience with ion chromatography, gas chromatography, and other analytical techniques.
• Experience with next-generation genome sequencing.
• Experience in interpretation of metagenomic and metatranscriptomic data.
• Knowledge of metabolic biochemistry.

How To Apply
Apply directly online at http://bit.ly/lbl76108AEESP and follow the on-line instructions to complete the application process.

Equal Employment Opportunity: Berkeley Lab is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer committed to the development of a diverse workforce.