Post-Bachelors Research Associate, Synthetic Biology
About The Position
The Synthetic Biology team of the Biological Sciences Division at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is seeking to hire an enthusiastic and skilled Post-Bachelor Research Associate. Applicants with research experience in experimental synthetic biology are especially encouraged to apply. The selected candidate will join a dynamic, multi-disciplinary team developing genetic strategies to control the environmental persistence of engineering microbial functions in the rhizosphere. This work will require both strain engineering acumen and the assessment of microbial fitness across expanding environmental complexity: liquid broth; cultivation with synthetic microbial communities; and plant rhizospheres in structured matrices. This role requires significant planning, organization, coordination, and communication. This is a full-time, limited-term position anticipated to last 12-24 months, contingent on performance and funding availability starting in January or February 2026.
Requirements
- Candidates must have received a Bachelor’s degree within the past 24 months or within the next 8 months from an accredited college or university.
- Minimum qualifications are a high school diploma plus two years relevant work experience, graduate of a technical institute, or a relevant Associate’s degree and 1+ years of relevant work experience.
Nice To Haves
- Bachelor’s degree in a life science or engineering field in the last 24 months from an accredited college or university and 1+ years research experience in molecular biology, microbiology, or engineering.
- Degrees of interest include molecular biology, biochemistry, bioengineering, chemical engineering, or a related field.
- Some combination of the following skills or experience are preferred: bacterial culture (soil isolates or other), molecular cloning (Restriction/Ligation, Gibson Assembly, Golden Gate Assembly), genome engineering (lambda Red, CRISPR-Cas9, CRISPRi), and cell density and fluorescence assays via microtiter plate reader or cytometer.
- Attention to detail, ability to work in a collaborative environment, and strong communication, organization, and documentation skills are expected.
Responsibilities
- perform high-throughput experiments
- independently analyze and communicate research results to the principal investigator
- contribute to scientific manuscripts
- work closely with PNNL staff and external collaborators in a multi-disciplinary environment
Benefits
- Employees and their families are offered medical insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, robust telehealth care options, several mental health benefits, free wellness coaching, health savings account, flexible spending accounts, basic life insurance, disability insurance, employee assistance program, business travel insurance, tuition assistance, relocation, backup childcare, legal benefits, supplemental parental bonding leave, surrogacy and adoption assistance, and fertility support.
- Employees are automatically enrolled in our company-funded pension plan and may enroll in our 401 (k) savings plan with company match.
- Employees may accrue up to 120 vacation hours per year and may receive ten paid holidays per year.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Number of Employees
1,001-5,000 employees
