Postdoctoral Scholar – Protein-Nanoparticle Probes for Cellular Force Microscopy

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory • Berkeley, CA

4h • Onsite

About The Position

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory is hiring a Postdoctoral Scholar – Protein-Nanoparticle Probes for Cellular Force Microscopy within the Molecular Foundry Division. This position will work at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), primarily at the Molecular Foundry, in collaboration with the Joint Genome Institute (JGI). As part of a multidisciplinary team, the postdoc will help design, build, and demonstrate an Infrared Force Microscope (IFM) capable of sensing and imaging biological forces within and between living systems with unprecedented sensitivity and spatial resolution.
The IFM employs our Avalanching Nanoparticles (ANPs, described in Nature 637, 70 and Nature 589, 230) to measure intracellular and extracellular forces in microbial systems, including hydrostatic pressures and forces within biofilms. This position will lead in biofunctionalization of ANPs for initial measurements of live-cell biological forces of the instrument. The postdoc will also optimize ANP surfaces and delivery methods to introduce ANP probes into microbial systems.

Requirements

• Ph.D. degree in Biophysics, Chemical Biology, Molecular Biology, Microbiology, or relevant fields.
• Experience with molecular cloning, protein expression, structural biology, and strain engineering.
• Knowledge and demonstrated experience handling and cultivating microbial cultures.
• Knowledge in optical probes, biofunctionalization, and bioimaging.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Demonstrated ability to successfully work in a dynamic, inclusive, team environment
• Demonstrated strong written and oral communication skills as documented by seminars/presentations.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in the use of microscopy, such as live-cell imaging and optical microscopy.
• Experience in the design and implementation of imaging-based experiments to answer molecular-level and systems-wide biological questions.
• Experience imaging biofilms.
• Experience with nanoparticle delivery.
• Experience with bioconjugation systems.

Responsibilities

• Design and express proteins for synthesizing ANP-protein hybrids.
• Design and generate microbial strains for bioconjugation and ANP-based imaging.
• Design ANP surfaces for live-cell conjugation and delivery methods.
• Perform data analysis, interpret experimental results, and generate figures that convey data and results.
• Stay current on recent research in the field by reading published literature.
• Prepare manuscripts and reports for publication in high-impact d journals.
• Collaborate and interact effectively with other team members, researchers, and scientists.
• Present work at national meetings and at regular group meetings.
• Perform work in accordance with EH&S guidelines and regulations.
• Support and contribute to the Berkeley Lab Stewardship culture.
• Provide assistance to maintain laboratory equipment and instruments.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree
• Number of Employees: 101-250 employees