Lawrence Berkeley National Lab's (LBNL) Joint Genome Institute (JGI) Division has an opening for a Research Associate to join the team. The Research Associate will provide research and production support for liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS) instrument operation and sample preparation for metabolomics tasks within a high-throughput sample environment in support of DOE mission areas in clean energy generation, climate, and environmental sciences.
This position will support a twelve-month project starting in 2021 with JGI metabolomics workflows that require basic analytical chemistry and biochemistry knowledge and skills. The Research Associate will be responsible for understanding the latest mass spectrometry technologies, support new technology development, and implement new protocols for the JGI Metabolomics Platform. The Research Associate will also troubleshoot process failures and participate in optimization of protocols with emphasis placed on meeting metabolomics production metrics goals.
What You Will Do:
Perform standard procedures using ESI mass spectrometers (Thermo QExactive and ID-X), automated liquid handling systems, UHPLC, lyophilizer, SpeedVac, centrifuge, and water bath sonicator.
Perform mass spectrometry data analysis workflows.
Prepare sets of metabolite standard solutions for LC-MS method development.
Perform and troubleshoot sample extractions using robotic automation equipment and manual methods following standardized operating procedures involving the safe handling of multiple types of solvents and work with a wide range of samples types. (soils, fungi, microbes, environmental water, etc.)
Participate in group and team meetings.
Routinely perform basic lab support duties, including equipment maintenance, purchase of consumables, lab and freezer organization, requisitioning of waste, etc.
Maintain a detailed lab notebook as well as instrumentation and sample logs.
Follow EH&S guidelines to ensure the safety of one's self and others in the lab and office spaces.
What is Required:
B.S. degree in biology, microbiology, biochemistry, analytical chemistry, engineering, or a related field preferred and up to a few years related experience.
Previous experience working in a laboratory environment and performing experiments.
Proficiency with basic office software. (Google docs, Excel, etc.)
Detail-oriented with excellent communication and writing skills.
Excellent troubleshooting skills.
Demonstrated ability to perform routine data analysis workflows.
Hard-working, self-motivated, proactive individual, with critical thinking and independent working skills, as well as ability to work with others in a collaborative research environment and with rapidly developing goals and timelines.
Desired Qualifications:
Experience performing sample extractions for mass spectrometry and automated liquid extraction procedures.
Experience with sample analysis of small metabolites by mass spectrometry. (ex. amino acids, sugars, organic acids)
Familiarity or hands-on experience with Thermo Orbitraps (or other mass spectrometers), Hamilton Vantage liquid handlers and Agilent 1290 UHPLC instruments.
Experience running (and modifying or writing) code written in scientific programming languages. (ex. Python, MATLAB, R)
For full consideration, please apply by January 19, 2021.
Notes:
This is a full time, 1-year, term appointment with the possibility of extension or conversion to Career appointment based upon satisfactory job performance, continuing availability of funds and ongoing operational needs.
This position is represented by a union for collective bargaining purposes.
Salary will be determined based on range by collective bargaining agreement.
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 primarily performed at: Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA.
Learn About Us:
JGI & Berkeley Lab: A View to Fuel Innovative Science in the Public Interest
They say it's all about location and Berkeley Lab has it all: a view above the San Francisco Bay, cool breezes, and world-class multidisciplinary science within a diverse and respectful research ecosystem of 5,000 people. Nearly 90 years ago, Ernest Orlando Lawrence, the inventor of the cyclotron, brought physicists, biologists, engineers and mathematicians together in Berkeley above the University of California campus to tackle the most urgent scientific challenges. Today, after garnering 13 Nobel Prizes, Berkeley Lab has sustained and grown that tradition of open, interdisciplinary team science, exemplified by how the U.S. Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute (JGI) addresses the most pressing energy and environmental challenges using integrative genome science approaches. JGI takes up residence in the new, state-of-the-art Integrative Genomics Building (IGB) along with the U.S. Department of Energy Systems Biology Knowledgebase (KBase) to expand the frontiers of energy and environmental science in partnership with the worldwide community of researchers. Will you join us and be a critical part of our next ground-breaking discoveries?
Berkeley Lab (LBNL) addresses the world's most urgent scientific challenges by advancing sustainable energy, protecting human health, creating new materials, and revealing the origin and fate of the universe. Founded in 1931, Berkeley Lab's scientific expertise has been recognized with 13 Nobel prizes. The University of California manages Berkeley Lab for the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Science.
Working at Berkeley Lab has many rewards including a competitive compensation program, excellent health and welfare programs, a retirement program that is second to none, and outstanding development opportunities. To view information about the many rewards that are offered at Berkeley Lab- Click Here.
Equal Employment Opportunity: Berkeley Lab is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or protected veteran status. Berkeley Lab is in compliance with the Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision under 41 CFR 60-1.4. Click here to view the poster and supplement: "Equal Employment Opportunity is the Law.
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory encourages applications from women, minorities, veterans, and other underrepresented groups presently considering scientific research careers.
Internal Number: 91779
About Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
In the world of science, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) is synonymous with excellence. Thirteen scientists associated with Berkeley Lab have won the Nobel Prize. Fifty-seven Lab scientists are members of the National Academy of Sciences (NAS), one of the highest honors for a scientist in the United States. Thirteen of our scientists have won the National Medal of Science, our nation's highest award for lifetime achievement in fields of scientific research. Eighteen of our engineers have been elected to the National Academy of Engineering, and three of our scientists have been elected into the Institute of Medicine. In addition, Berkeley Lab has trained thousands of university science and engineering students who are advancing technological innovations across the nation and around the world. Berkeley Lab is a member of the national laboratory system supported by the U.S. Department of Energy through its Office of Science. It is managed by the University of California (UC) and is charged with conducting unclassified research across a wide range of scientific disciplines. Located on a 200-acre site in the hills above the UC Berkeley campus that offers spectacular... views of the San Francisco Bay, Berkeley Lab employs approximately 4,200 scientists, engineers, support staff and students. Its budget for 2011 is $735 million, with an additional $101 million in funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, for a total of $836 million. A recent study estimates the Laboratory's overall economic impact through direct, indirect and induced spending on the nine counties that make up the San Francisco Bay Area to be nearly $700 million annually. The Lab was also responsible for creating 5,600 jobs locally and 12,000 nationally. The overall economic impact on the national economy is estimated at $1.6 billion a year. Technologies developed at Berkeley Lab have generated billions of dollars in revenues, and thousands of jobs. Savings as a result of Berkeley Lab developments in lighting and windows, and other energy-efficient technologies, have also been in the billions of dollars. Berkeley Lab was founded in 1931 by Ernest Orlando Lawrence, a UC Berkeley physicist who won the 1939 Nobel Prize in physics for his invention of the cyclotron, a circular particle accelerator that opened the door to high-energy physics. It was Lawrence's belief that scientific research is best done through teams of individuals with different fields of expertise, working together. His teamwork concept is a Berkeley Lab legacy that continues today.
