Biophysics Postdoctoral Fellow at a Synchrotron

Berkeley Lab's (LBNL) Molecular Biophysics and Integrated Bioimaging Division (MBIB) has an opening for a Postdoctoral Fellow to help us tackle our national challenges in bioenergy, bioremediation, and in disease using synchrotron-based imaging technologies. This work will be centered around an X-ray scattering beamline, "SIBYLS". Much of the work done by the SIBYLS team starts with Small Angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) experiments.

In this exciting role, you will be part of a team that helps with a major upgrade of the SIBYLS synchrotron beamline. Over the last decade, as a national user facility, data from the SIBYLS beamline has been part of hundreds of publications. Users of the beamline are part of a worldwide community dedicated to structural biology. Significant funding for the upgrade stems from improving pandemic response and accelerating therapeutic, diagnostic and vaccine development. You will develop and apply upgrades that improve the existing technologies or help innovate new approaches using SAXS to understand pathogens. Having the opportunity to learn X-ray optics and synchrotron associated engineering. Participating with other members of the SIBYLS team in designing and implementing instrumentation and methodology that will maximize efficient and productive data analysis from the SIBYLS SAXS beamline.

Additionally, you will have the opportunity to manipulate samples (typically macromolecular complexes or cells) provided by an extensive network of collaborators who have applied to the National Lab for support in applying synchrotron imaging techniques. The team will develop novel tools or approaches, such as unique sample environments, sample handling procedures, new computational algorithms for analyzing results, or adapting a preexisting instrument for a new purpose. While centered at the Advanced Light Source synchrotron, you will develop ties to other LBNL institutions, like the Joint BioEnergy Institute (JBEI), Joint Genome Institute (JGI), Molecular Foundry (MF), and National Energy Research Scientific Computing Center (NERSC). The close University of California Berkeley campus also makes possible collaborations in non-synchrotron imaging modalities. By applying integrated approaches, utilizing advanced technologies and through team science you will help tackle some of the nation's most pressing challenges that are difficult using a single lab approach, common in university settings, opening up a career in imaging or those fields to which the imaging has been applied.

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

What You Will Do:

• Participate with other members of the scientific team in the application of unique LBNL infrastructure to address disease, bioremediation and bioenergy through synchrotron imaging.
• Plan and execute the collection of SAXS data on core mission samples.
• Duties as part of the team will include beamline maintenance and user support.
• Publish scientific papers in peer-reviewed journals and present findings at seminars and conferences.
• Participate in development of grant proposals for new research directions and preparation of competing renewals of current research grants.
• Maintain an accurate and detailed online laboratory notebook of all experiments performed and provide sufficient details to ensure methods and results can be duplicated by others.
• Collaborate with program projects that utilize synchrotron beamlines for research and develop new collaborations as appropriate to further the scientific goals of the programs (https://sibyls.als.lbl.gov/).
• Partner with other members of the SIBYLS beamline and the Advanced Light Source Division.
• Occasional weekend or off-time work in coordination with the operating schedule of the synchrotron.

What is Required:

• A recent Ph.D. (within the last 1-2 years) in Biophysics, Chemistry, Physics, Biology or a related discipline.
• Experience working at a synchrotron with a basic understanding of small-angle x-ray scattering (SAXS).
• Strong computational programming skills in any major programming language (C, Python, etc.).
• In-depth understanding of protein, DNA, and RNA structure.
• Demonstrated analytical skills including solving problems, developing scientific ideas, and meeting research goals.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills including experience organizing/presenting technical reports, successful record of first-author publications, and presenting at conferences.
• Demonstrated interpersonal skills including experience conducting experiments independently and collaborating with an interdisciplinary research team.

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience with computational tools in protein engineering.
• Experience working with antibodies, DNA, and/or RNA binding proteins.
• Experience in interdisciplinary research.
• Knowledge of national user facility operations.

Notes:

• For full consideration, please apply with a curriculum vitae (CV) or resume by February 9, 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 $5,562 - $7,003 and is expected to start at $5,841 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 Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA 94720.

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