Job Description

About Sandia:

Sandia National Laboratories is the nation’s premier science and engineering lab for national security and technology innovation, with teams of specialists focused on cutting-edge work in a broad array of areas. Some of the main reasons we love our jobs:

• Challenging work with amazing impact that contributes to security, peace, and freedom worldwide
• Extraordinary co-workers
• Some of the best tools, equipment, and research facilities in the world
• Career advancement and enrichment opportunities
• Flexible work arrangements for many positions include 9/80 (work 80 hours every two weeks, with every other Friday off) and 4/10 (work 4 ten-hour days each week) compressed workweeks, part-time work, and telecommuting (a mix of onsite work and working from home)
• Generous vacations, strong medical and other benefits, competitive 401k, learning opportunities, relocation assistance and amenities aimed at creating a solid work/life balance*

World-changing technologies. Life-changing careers. Learn more about Sandia at: http://www.sandia.gov*These benefits vary by job classification.

What Your Job Will Be Like:

Are you looking to do creative research that addresses major challenges such as biosecurity and biodefense? We are seeking a molecular biology postdoctoral appointee to join our multidisciplinary team. The team uses mammalian cell culture, molecular biology, ‘omics methods and machine learning to investigate factors that affect the functionality of CRISPR tools. The selected applicant will generate and analyze large genomics data sets from mammalian cell cultures as well as be involved in building new capabilities to complement our growing predictive biology research program.

On any given day, you may be called on to:

• Generate and maintain mammalian cell lines, extract nucleic acids, and generate sequencing libraries.
• Design, execute and analyze genome editing surveys by CRISPR.
• Mentor and work with technologists and interns.
• Work collaboratively to execute, track and refine project plans with an integrated multidisciplinary team that may include members from national labs, universities, and industry.
• Communicate your research through writing scientific papers, publishing in peer-reviewed journals, and presenting findings at seminars and conferences.
• Contribute to the creation and development of new scientific research proposals.

Due to the nature of the work, the selected applicant must be able to work onsite in Albuquerque, NM. The annual salary for this position is $98,500.

Qualifications We Require:

• PhD in Biology, Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, or other relevant, related field
• Proven record of high technical accomplishment and written communication (e.g., as evidenced by publication in high-impact scientific journals) and strong verbal communication and data presentation skills (e.g., as demonstrated through scientific conference presentations)
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DOE Q-level security clearance

Qualifications We Desire:

• Baseline understanding of genomics, both experimental and computational
• Strong background in cell biology, particularly in mammalian cell biology and culture
• Experience with sequencing technologies (such as Illumina, Oxford Nanopore, PacBio, etc.)
• Molecular Biology/Synthetic Biology skills (e.g., prior CRISPR experience, cloning, plasmid design, etc.)
• Bioinformatics skills and familiarity with related software tools for genomic analysis
• Programming knowledge, including scripting in a widely-used language (e.g., Python, R) and usage of the command line

About Our Team:

The Molecular and Microbiology Department is within the Biological, Radiation, and Signature Science, Technology, and Engineering Center. The Center performs exploratory science and develops technology to address pressing national needs in energy security, homeland security, and national defense. Our work is focused on understanding and countering natural, traditional and engineered biological threats, as well as on developing biofuels and biomaterials. We employ synthetic biology to solve important issues for the Department of Energy, Department of Defense, Defense Threat Reduction Agency, Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity, and Joint Program Executive Office.

Posting Duration:

This posting will be open for application submissions for a minimum of seven (7) calendar days, including the ‘posting date’. Sandia reserves the right to extend the posting date at any time.

Security Clearance:

Sandia is required by DOE to conduct a pre-employment drug test and background review that includes checks of personal references, credit, law enforcement records, and employment/education verifications. Applicants for employment need to be able to obtain and maintain a DOE Q-level security clearance, which requires U.S. citizenship. If you hold more than one citizenship (i.e., of the U.S. and another country), your ability to obtain a security clearance may be impacted.

Applicants offered employment with Sandia are subject to a federal background investigation to meet the requirements for access to classified information or matter if the duties of the position require a DOE security clearance. Substance abuse or illegal drug use, falsification of information, criminal activity, serious misconduct or other indicators of untrustworthiness can cause a clearance to be denied or terminated by DOE, resulting in the inability to perform the duties assigned and subsequent termination of employment.

EEO:

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status and any other protected class under state or federal law.

NNSA Requirements for MedPEDs:

If you have a Medical Portable Electronic Device (MedPED), such as a pacemaker, defibrillator, drug-releasing pump, hearing aids, or diagnostic equipment and other equipment for measuring, monitoring, and recording body functions such as heartbeat and brain waves, if employed by Sandia National Laboratories you may be required to comply with NNSA security requirements for MedPEDs.

If you have a MedPED and you are selected for an on-site interview at Sandia National Laboratories, there may be additional steps necessary to ensure compliance with NNSA security requirements prior to the interview date.

Position Information:

This postdoctoral position is a temporary position for up to one year, which may be renewed at Sandia's discretion up to five additional years. The PhD must have been conferred within five years prior to employment.

Individuals in postdoctoral positions may bid on regular Sandia positions as internal candidates, and in some cases may be converted to regular career positions during their term if warranted by ongoing operational needs, continuing availability of funds, and satisfactory job performance.

Job ID: 693975

Job Family: 92

Regular/Temporary Position: T

Full/Part-Time Status: F

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.