Scientific Engineering Associate (ABPDU)

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory • Berkeley, CA

3d • $84,552 - $105,720 • Onsite

About The Position

Berkeley Lab’s (LBNL) Biological Systems and Engineering (BSE) Division has an opening for a Scientific Engineering Associate (ABPDU) to join the Advanced Biofuels and Bioproducts Process Development Unit (ABPDU)!
In this exciting role, you will support projects related to efficient conversion of gaseous and electrochemical feedstocks into value-added bioproducts. You will perform research activities including project management, experimental design, execution of batch and continuous bioconversion experiments, metabolic characterization of non-canonical bacterial strains, and execution of associated analytical methods.
This position has an anticipated start date of May 1, 2026.
Note: This position is open to internal Berkeley Lab employees only. If you are a current Berkeley Lab employee experiencing technical difficulties submitting your application, please contact [email protected].
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
● Opportunities to grow in your career
● 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 Bachelor’s Degree (or equivalent knowledge/training) in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Biochemistry, or related areas and a minimum of 2 years of relevant experience in bioelectrochemistry and/or gas fermentation, including experience working with a variety of substrates, microorganisms, and bioreactor configurations, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience handling, maintaining, and growing a variety of microorganisms during bioconversion and recovery/analysis of their products.
• Experience with basic electrochemical unit operations, including cyclic voltammetry, operation of potentiostats, and operation of bioelectrochemical cells.
• Knowledge of analytical techniques required for biomanufacturing research and development, including offgas analysis, photometric analysis, GC, and HPLC.
• Strong analytical skills including the ability to identify problems, troubleshoot, and demonstrate good judgement in selecting methods and techniques for obtaining solutions.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including experience organizing and presenting technical information to varying audiences.
• Demonstrated interpersonal skills including experience collaborating with an interdisciplinary research team in a multi-disciplinary scientific or production environment.

Nice To Haves

• An Advanced Degree (or equivalent knowledge/training) Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Biochemistry, or a related area.

Responsibilities

• Plan and execute bioelectrochemical and gas fermentation experiments at bench scale, including preparing media, batching bioreactors, calibrating equipment, and operating real time sampling and in-line and off-line analytical equipment including HPLC, offgas MS, etc.
• Characterize non-canonical microbial strains, including development of cultivation protocols, assessment of media toxicity thresholds, and evaluation of metabolic flexibility.
• Perform electrochemistry experiments, including development and operation of potentiostat reactors and optimization of electrode composition and electrode geometry.
• Execute associated analytical chemistry tasks, including GC, HPLC, gas analysis, and photometric analysis.
• Perform data analysis and prepare presentations to report findings to collaborators and the larger ABPDU team.
• Prepare and submit manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed journals.
• Maintain exemplary ethical conduct of integrity, honesty, and mutual respect, both intellectually and in interpersonal workplace interactions.
• Contribute to laboratory organization and maintenance of a strong safety culture at the ABPDU.

Benefits

• Exceptional health and retirement benefits, including pension or 401K-style plans
• Opportunities to grow in your career
• 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
• Number of Employees: 11-50 employees