Plant Transformation Scientist

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory • Berkeley, CA

6d • $82,860 - $132,588 • Onsite

About The Position

Berkeley Lab’s (LBNL) Joint Genome Institute (JGI) has an opening for a Plant Transformation Scientist!
In this exciting role, you will serve in multiple roles supporting the potential future of the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Plant Transformation Capability (PTC). First, you will conduct R&D in plant transformation, including the development of novel virus-mediated delivery methods that could reduce genotype specificity, a major topic of interest for the PTC. Second, you will serve as the technical point of contact, providing oversight and biological materials to support a plant transformation automation emerging technologies opportunity program (ETOP) that has just been released for competition. Third, you will provide technical analyses to DOE leadership as part of the Analysis of Alternatives required to advance the PTC to CD-1, including evaluations of the state of the art, potential partners, and operational models. Finally, you will explore potential collaboration with the Advanced Plant Phenotyping Laboratory (APPL) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) and develop a relevant pilot project if appropriate.
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).
This position has an anticipated start date of June 1, 2026.
We’re here for the same mission, to bring science solutions to the world. Join our team and YOU will play a supporting role in our goal to address global challenges! Have a high level of impact and work for an organization associated with 17 Nobel Prizes!
Why join Berkeley Lab?
We invest in our employees by offering a total rewards package you can count on:
● Exceptional health and retirement benefits, including pension or 401K-style plans
● A culture where you’ll belong - we are invested in our teams!
● In addition to accruing vacation and sick time, we also have a Winter Holiday Shutdown every year.
● Parental bonding leave (for both mothers and fathers)
● Pet insurance

Requirements

• A Ph.D. (or equivalent knowledge/training) in Plant Science or a related field and a minimum of 2 years of relevant research experience in designing and constructing DNA constructs for plant transformation, including constructs for gene editing, overexpression, and reporter constructs or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience with grass transformation.
• A strong background in molecular biology and plant biology research.
• Experience supervising teams, including recruiting/hiring, delegating tasks, and managing team performance.
• Strong analytical skills including experience identifying issues, troubleshooting complex problems, and recommending appropriate solutions.
• Demonstrated oral and written communication skills including experience documenting and summarizing research results for reports, presentations, and publications, with a proven record of publications in peer-reviewed journals.
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills including experience conducting independent, data-driven research and collaborating with an interdisciplinary research team.

Responsibilities

• Conduct research focused on advancing plant transformation technology.
• Serve as the point of contact for the ETOP awardee, providing project oversight, monitoring progress, and offering technical guidance on plant transformation.
• Review and synthesize existing literature on plant transformation technologies, evaluate potential PTC partners, and prepare written reports for DOE management to support the Analysis of Alternatives required to advance the PTC to CD-1.
• Collaborate with a multi-institutional project team to ensure effective communication and timely completion of analysis projects.
• Summarize research findings and publish in peer-reviewed journals.
• Contribute to scientific research papers and technical reports.
• Provide professional development and support to a research team, including direct daily work, manage projects, and provide performance feedback and set clear expectations.

Benefits

• Exceptional health and retirement benefits, including pension or 401K-style plans
• A culture where you’ll belong - we are invested in our teams!
• In addition to accruing vacation and sick time, we also have a Winter Holiday Shutdown every year.
• Parental bonding leave (for both mothers and fathers)
• Pet insurance

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree
• Number of Employees: 11-50 employees