Post Doctorate RA - HTP-Strain Engineering and Phenotyping
About The Position
The Functional and Systems Biology Group in the Environmental Molecular Sciences Division at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is seeking a motivated researcher to advance high-throughput strain engineering and phenotyping using genome editing tools, biosensors, and automated cultivation systems. The goal is to develop robust microbial, fungal, and algal platforms for biofuels and bioproducts through genetic and phenotypic optimization. The candidate will focus on engineering strains to enhance desired traits using automated phenotyping workflows and applying biosensors to detect phenotypic signatures for rapid strain optimization. Key responsibilities include designing, developing, and implementing high-throughput automated workflows for the EMSL User Program and DOE BER-sponsored projects. These workflows will integrate high-resolution, single-cell phenotyping with multi-modal techniques (e.g., transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics) to uncover genetic drivers of phenotypic traits, elucidate protein function, and guide strain improvement. The candidate will collaborate within a multi-researcher team to integrate experimental data using bioinformatics and molecular tools, refine strain engineering strategies, and contribute to scientific publications. Collaboration with interdisciplinary and multi-institutional teams will be essential to achieving research goals. The candidate will ensure adherence to laboratory safety and compliance standards. This role offers a dynamic opportunity to innovate high-throughput phenotyping approaches, advance strain optimization, and contribute to the development of sustainable solutions for the bioeconomy. ONSITE ONLY Position is ONSITE work only in Richland, WA.
Requirements
- Candidates must have received a PhD within the past five years (60 months) or within the next 8 months from an accredited college or university.
- Ph.D. in microbiology, bioengineering, microbial genetics, chemical engineering, or a related field.
- Demonstrated expertise in strain development, lab automation, and genetic engineering.
- Strong written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills are essential for independently carrying out initial analysis of experimental data and presenting summaries to project managers and staff.
Nice To Haves
- Expertise in strain engineering, genome editing tools (e.g., CRISPR/Cas, CRISPRa/i), and high-throughput phenotyping workflows.
- Proficiency in using automated systems and applying multi-modal phenotyping techniques (e.g., transcriptomics, metabolomics) to link genetic drivers to phenotypic traits is highly desirable.
- Experience integrating experimental data using bioinformatics tools, contributing to peer-reviewed publications, and collaborating within interdisciplinary and multi-institutional teams.
Responsibilities
- Designing, developing, and implementing high-throughput automated workflows for the EMSL User Program and DOE BER-sponsored projects.
- Integrating high-resolution, single-cell phenotyping with multi-modal techniques (e.g., transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics) to uncover genetic drivers of phenotypic traits, elucidate protein function, and guide strain improvement.
- Collaborating within a multi-researcher team to integrate experimental data using bioinformatics and molecular tools, refine strain engineering strategies, and contribute to scientific publications.
- Collaborating with interdisciplinary and multi-institutional teams to achieve research goals.
- Ensuring adherence to laboratory safety and compliance standards.
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
Education Level
Ph.D. or professional degree
Number of Employees
1,001-5,000 employees
