Postdoctoral Appointee - Automation for Biomanufacturing, Onsite

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Sandia/California's Biomaterials and Biomanufacturing Department is seeking a dedicated and motivated Postdoctoral Scientist (job title: JBEI Postdoctoral Bio/chem) to work within the Agile BioFoundry (ABF; agilebiofoundry.org), focusing on lab automation and high-throughput experimentation for engineering non-model fungi for biofuel and biochemical production. The goal of the ABF is to accelerate the bioeconomy by developing advanced biomanufacturing capabilities based on a Design, Build, Test, Learn cycle that are accessible to industry and academic partners. The successful candidate will work as part of a multidisciplinary team to design, implement, and optimize automated workflows supporting ABF's mission.

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

• Develop, automate, and optimize laboratory protocols for microbial engineering and phenotyping, such as transformation and strain construction workflows, high-throughput strain screening for growth and production phenotypes.
• Leverage automation and high-throughput experimentation to achieve improved strain performance, enabling rapid design-build-test-learn cycles.
• Collaborate with strain engineers, computational biologists, and data scientists to enable data-driven and machine-learning guided high-throughput experimental design and execution.
• Contribute to the development of standardized, robust workflows and documented protocols that can be disseminated across projects.
• Participate in laboratory management and mentoring student interns.

Present results at project meetings and conferences.

Due to the nature of the work, the selected applicant must be able to work onsite.

• PhD in Bioengineering, Biotechnology, Chemical Engineering, or other relevant, closely related field
• Ability to conduct and communicate creative, independent research as proven through a record of technical accomplishment (e.g., publication in high-impact scientific journals, presentations at national/international conferences, etc.)

• Demonstrated ability to develop and troubleshoot automated biological protocols.
• Familiarity with microbial (particularly the yeast Rhodotorula toruloides) cultivation and molecular biology techniques.
• Knowledge and experience in applying metabolic engineering and biomanufacturing principles to microbial strain development and process optimization.
• Hands-on experience with liquid handling robots (e.g., Hamilton, Beckman, Tecan, Opentrons, or similar).
• Experience integrating automation with laboratory information management systems (LIMS) or data capture frameworks.

The Biomanufacturing and Biomaterials department is dedicated to developing and advancing innovative technologies for producing the next generation of biofuels and biomaterials. Our multidisciplinary staff represents a diverse range of backgrounds and skill sets: molecular biology, chemistry, chemical and biochemical engineering, biophysics, computational science, and biochemistry. We partner broadly with other Sandia departments as well as other national laboratories, industry, and universities to develop practical, science-based solutions to national energy goals.

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.

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. Under federal law, citizens and agents of the People's Republic of China, the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Democratic People's Republic of North Korea, and the Russian Federation are generally prohibited from accessing Sandia National Laboratories. Accordingly, such individuals will not be considered for employment unless they are also a citizen of the United States.

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.

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.

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.

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.