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About Sandia

Sandia National Laboratories is the nation's premier science and engineering lab for national security and technology innovation. We are a world-class team of scientists, engineers, technologists, post docs, and visiting researchers all focused on cutting-edge technology, ranging from homeland defense, global security, biotechnology, and environmental preservation to energy and combustion research, computer security, and nuclear defense.

Department Description

The Biomass Science and Conversion Technology department, located in Livermore, California, performs biological and bioengineering research with applications in advanced biofuels and renewable energy. Our department contains a multidisciplinary team of approximately 30 people, including staff scientists, postdocs and technologists with expertise in chemical engineering, biochemical engineering, biophysics, analytical chemistry, advanced spectroscopy, microbiology, computational biology, and molecular biology.

The basic research activities in the department are focused on developing a fundamental understanding of chemical and biological conversion of biomass to fuels and chemicals. The department is also developing a focus on systems and synthetic biology as they relate to biofuel production. Applied research activities are focused on enzyme and microbial engineering for biofuel production, advanced biomass pretreatment, synthetic biology, algal biofuels, and advanced imaging techniques. Key sponsors include the DOE Office of Science, DOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, the Department of Defense, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Sandia LDRD Program.

The department also plays an essential role at the DOE Joint BioEnergy Institute (JBEI), a multi-organizational research center comprising world-class resources and expertise located at a facility in Emeryville, California. The goal of JBEI is to use rapidly advancing scientific techniques, such as systems and synthetic biology, to accelerate development of the nation's biofuels industry.

TO APPLY :

In Advanced Job Search, and type the Job Number "649623" into the Keywords box. Click on the Search button to access this job opening, and complete an online application.

Job Summary 
The Post-Doctoral Appointee Program is designed to recruit outstanding Ph.D. applicants to assist a line organization in meeting its mission objectives and to provide a professional technical work environment for the employee. The Ph.D. must have been conferred within one to five years prior to employment. These assignments are for a one-year period, with the option at management's discretion to serve no more than five additional one-year assignments.

Primary Job Duties 
We are seeking an independent, energetic scientist who will join the Deconstruction Team at JBEI in using state-of-the-art microbiology and molecular biology techniques to engineer bacteria to produce bioproducts from ionic liquid pretreated lignocellulose. The candidate will have opportunities to collaborate with leading scientists and engineers at Sandia and JBEI. The project will focus on modification of native and introduction of non-native biosynthetic pathways into model and non-model bacteria and fungi for the production of several bioproducts relevant to an ionic liquid-based lignocellulosic biorefinery, and subsequent metabolic engineering to enhance flux of lignocellulose-derived carbon to bioproducts. The individual will have the opportunity to work closely with the Microbial Communities, Fungal Biotechnology, Pretreatment and Enzyme Engineering teams to build an integrated bioprocess from biomass to product.

Minimum Qualifications

Recent PhD in Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Biochemical Engineering, Enzymology, or related fields.
Between 3-5 years of experience with genetic engineering of bacteria, including skills such as transformation, heterologous gene expression, gene knockouts, DNA, RNA and protein purification.
Background in molecular biology, including the ability to design and construct multi-gene expression systems, screen clone libraries, and familiarity with analytical techniques used to quantify levels of enzymes and metabolites.
Demonstrated track record of publishing in the peer-reviewed scientific literature.
Demonstrated ability to conduct experiments independently, maintain appropriate records and manage data.

Desired Qualifications
Strong personal, verbal and written communication skills
Familiarity with microbial deconstruction and metabolism of lignocellulose.
Experience using bioinformatics tools to analyze genomic, transcriptomic, metabolomic and proteomic datasets and use them to generate detailed metabolic maps.
Background in sugar or aromatic metabolism and knowledge of analytical tools that utilize GC, LC, and mass spectrometry.
Familiarity and working knowledge of DOE biofuel programs.

Security Clearance 
No clearance required.

This position does not currently require a Department of Energy (DOE)-granted security clearance.

Sandia will conduct a pre-employment background review that includes personal reference checks, law enforcement record checks, and employment and education verifications. Further, employees in New Mexico must pass a U.S. Air Force background screen for access to the work site. Substance abuse or illegal drug use, falsification of information, criminal activity, serious misconduct or other indicators of untrustworthiness can cause access to be denied or terminated, rendering the inability to perform the duties assigned and resulting in termination of employment.

If hired without a clearance, and one subsequently becomes required or you bid on positions that require aDOE-granted security clearance, a pre-processing background review that includes personal reference checks, law enforcement record and credit checks, and employment and education verifications may be conducted prior to a required federal background investigation. Applicants for DOE-granted security clearances must be U.S. citizens and be able to obtain and maintain the appropriate DOE security clearance as required for the position.

Benefits 
At Sandia you will receive many benefits as a valued employee of a premier national multi-program engineering and science research laboratory. In our Total Rewards package you will enjoy competitive pay, great benefits, a stimulating, positive environment and learning opportunities that will help build your career. More information may be found on our Careers website.