Synthetic Biology Postdoctoral Fellow
Berkeley Lab’s Environmental Genomics & Systems Biology (EGSB) Division is looking for a Synthetic Biology Postdoctoral Fellow to work on a project is based in the Kerfeld Lab (https://www.kerfeldlab.org/) that focuses on characterizing and disrupting shell permeability to provide a novel strategy for designing antimicrobials.
Bacterial microcompartments (BMCs) are organelles composed entirely of protein that enable bacteria to use diverse substrates in nutritionally poor environments, thereby contributing to the fitness of the pathogens in host tissues. They are composed of a selectively permeable protein shell that encapsulates catabolic enzymes. The shell is the defining feature of all types of bacterial microcompartments, providing the diffusion barrier that typically enables concentration of substrates in the vicinity of the encapsulated enzymes, sequesters toxic intermediates or protects oxygen sensitive enzymes from the bulk cytosol. How these shells, composed of multiple types of paralogs, self-assemble and the structural basis of the selective permeability of a protein shell are fundamental biological questions with important practical implications.
You will have the opportunity to carry out creative research with tenacity and of the highest quality standards. This includes experimental design, troubleshooting, interpretation of data, and the ability to situate results in the context of disarming pathogens by disabling BMC-based metabolism. Research will involve protein/enzyme biochemistry, specifically functional characterization of BMC shell permeability, with the long-term objective of using the findings in the development of therapeutics. Closely related projects are at various experimental stages. You will collaborate with other group members on a range of fundamental and applied studies of BMCs.
What You Will Do:
- Carry out creative research that includes experimental design, troubleshooting, interpretation of data, and the ability to situate results in the context of disarming pathogens by disabling BMC-based metabolism.
- Use and develop new strategies to directly measure shell permeability.
- Prepare manuscripts for publication and assist with the development of funding proposals and patents.
- Overexpression and purification and characterization of proteins/enzymes.
- Genetic manipulation of microorganisms.
- Conduct and perform collaborative research and effectively interact with a broad range of colleagues.
- Organize and present reports to collaborators and sponsors.
- Participate in group meetings and seminars.
- Analyze and interpret the results and write papers describing the results.
- Maintain an accurate and detailed scientific logbook of all experiments performed; ensure that others could duplicate results.
What is Required:
- A recent Ph.D. in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Biophysics, or related field.
- Experience in one or more of the following: synthetic biology or bioengineering, protein design, high-throughput approaches to cloning and imaging, enzymology, or biophysical characterization of macromolecular complexes.
- Experience in gene cloning, protein expression, purification, and characterization.
- Knowledge of bioinformatic approaches that complement the bench work.
- Skill in designing experiments and their controls including the ability to coach early career members of the group in developing their experimental plans.
- Strong oral and written communication skills including the ability to conduct original work that meets the milestones of a larger project and scientific program.
- Effective interpersonal skills including the ability to perform experiments independently while maintaining strong collaborative relationships within an interdisciplinary team environment.
This position is expected to begin immediately. This posting is expected will remain open until filled however for full consideration, please apply by July 11, 2022 with the following application materials:
- Cover Letter - Describe your interest in this position and the relevance of your background.
- Curriculum Vitae (CV) or Resume.
Notes:
- This is a full time, exempt from overtime pay (monthly paid), 1 year, postdoctoral appointment with the possibility of renewal based upon satisfactory job performance, continuing availability of funds, and ongoing operational needs. You must have less than 4 years of paid postdoctoral experience.
- This position is represented by a union for collective bargaining purposes with predetermined postdoctoral step rates dependent on years of experience post-degree.
- Salary is commensurate with experience.
- This position may be subject to a background check. Any convictions will be evaluated to determine if they directly relate to the responsibilities and requirements of the position. Having a conviction history will not automatically disqualify an applicant from being considered for employment.
- Work will be performed onsite at Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA.
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