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:

We are seeking a Postdoctoral Appointee for the Sandia Applied Biosciences and Engineering group. You will join a multidisciplinary team using molecular biology, synthetic biology, and bioinformatics methods to develop new cell-free protein biosynthesis techniques and conduct fundamental research in protein translation mechanisms. The successful candidate will investigate uses of CRISPR technology for controlling protein translation, as well as the testing of diverse natural and synthetic tRNAs for controlling codon utilization. Applications include improving the productivity, safety, and biosecurity of cell-free biomanufacturing (CFB).

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

• Design, develop, and optimize cell-free systems for protein synthesis.
• Grow and develop microbial strains with altered codon utilization.
• Investigate mechanisms of translation and the role of diverse tRNAs and synthetases in protein synthesis, including engineering and characterizing codon tables and tRNAs.
• Conduct experiments to study the interactions between tRNAs, ribosomes, and other translational machinery as well as synthetic biology tools such as nucleases.
• Collaborate with an integrated multidisciplinary team that may include members from national labs, universities, and/or industry.
• Execute, track, and refine project plans.
• Present findings at internal and external meetings and scientific conferences and prepare manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed journals.
• Mentor and supervise student interns as needed.

Due to the nature of the work, the selected applicant must be able to work onsite. This position is located in Livermore, CA, and the annual salary is $110,000.

Qualifications We Require:

• PhD in Molecular Biology, Synthetic Biology, Biochemistry, Bioengineering, or other relevant, related field.
• Experience with molecular cloning, protein expression, and/or protein characterization and assay techniques.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills as evidenced by a track record of publications in peer-reviewed journals and/or presentations at scientific conferences.

Qualifications We Desire:

• Strong background in one or more of the following areas: cell-free systems, in-depth biochemistry of protein translation, or engineering of synthetic codon systems or tRNAs and synthetases.
• Experience with RNA-editing tools such as CRISPR-Cas13 systems or engineered RNases.
• Familiarity with computational tools for sequence analysis and protein engineering.
• Experience with high-throughput biochemical screening techniques and automated high-throughput platforms.
• Experience with next-generation DNA sequencing or third generation DNA and RNA sequencing

About Our Team:

The Applied Biosciences and Engineering group applies biological technologies towards important challenges in biotechnology, bioengineering, bioresources and environmental security, systems biology, biomaterials, and biomanufacturing and is supported by five departments with these thrusts.

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:

This position does not currently require a Department of Energy (DOE) security clearance.

Sandia will conduct a pre-employment drug test and background review that includes checks of personal references, credit, law enforcement records, and employment/education verifications. Furthermore, employees in New Mexico need to pass a U.S. Air Force background screen for access to Kirtland Air Force Base. Substance abuse or illegal drug use, falsification of information, criminal activity, serious misconduct or other indicators of untrustworthiness can cause access to be denied or terminated, resulting in the inability to perform the duties assigned and subsequent termination of employment.

If hired without a clearance and it subsequently becomes necessary to obtain and maintain one for the position, or you bid on positions that require a clearance, a pre-processing background review may be conducted prior to a required federal background investigation. Applicants for a DOE security clearance need to be U.S. citizens. 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.

Members of the workforce (MOWs) hired at Sandia who require uncleared access for greater than 179 days during their employment, are required to go through the Uncleared Personal Identity Verification (UPIV) process. Access includes physical and/or cyber (logical) access, as well as remote access to any NNSA information technology (IT) systems. UPIV requirements are not applicable to individuals who require a DOE personnel security clearance for the performance of their SNL employment or to foreign nationals. The UPIV process will include the completion of a USAccess Enrollment, SF-85 (Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions) and OF-306 (Declaration of for Federal Employment). An unfavorable UPIV determination will result in immediate retrieval of the SNL issued badge, removal of cyber (logical) access and/or removal from SNL subcontract. All MOWs may appeal the unfavorable UPIV determination to DOE/NNSA immediately. If the appeal is unsuccessful, the MOW may try to go through the UPIV process one year after the decision date.

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: 694115

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.