Postdoctoral Appointee - Molecular and Microbiology

The Data Science and Learning Division (DSL) at Argonne National Laboratory is seeking a postdoctoral researcher to conduct cutting edge molecular and microbiology work to enhance non-proliferation. The primary focus of this role will be in developing laboratory methods to improve recovery of microbial genomes from complex samples. Secondary focus of this role will be in maintaining cultures of Cyanobacteria and carrying out experiments with those bacteria, as well as flow cytometric analysis.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and optimize extraction methods for recovering ultra-long, high molecular weight DNA from soils
• Carry out library preparation for long read sequencing
• Use CRISPR-Cas to edit genomes of common soil bacteria
• Establish and maintain cultures of common freshwater Cyanobacteria

This role will require working on-site in Lemont, Illinois, 5 days a week

Position Requirements

Required skills, knowledge and experience:

• A recent or soon to be completed PhD within the last 0-5 years
• Molecular Biology - Experience with common molecular biology tasks as well as especially with NGS and TGS library preparation
• Microbiology – Experience maintaining culture of phototrophic cyanobacteria
• Synthetic Biology – Experience using CRISPR/Cas and similar systems such as CRISPRi or RB-TnSeq to deliver edits to bacteria in pursuit of interrogating metabolic function
• Flow Cytometry – Experience analyzing fluorometric profiles of cyanobacteria using devices such as the Beckman Coulter Cytoflex
• Bioinformatics – Basic scripting experience in languages such as Python, R or BASH to carry out rudimentary genomics analysis
• Interdisciplinary Collaboration - Experience working in cross functional teams including molecular biologists, chemists, radiation experts and computational biologists
• Core Values - Ability to model Argonne’s core values of impact, safety, respect, integrity, and teamwork

Preferred skills, knowledge and experience:

• Previous postdoctoral experience and demonstrated ability to work as an independent scientist
• Familiarity working in a National Laboratory setting and accompanying experience with safety protocols and working environment

Job Family

Postdoctoral

Job Profile

Postdoctoral Appointee

Worker Type

Long-Term (Fixed Term)

Time Type

Full time

The expected hiring range for this position is $72,879.00-$121,465.00.

Please note that the pay range information is a general guideline only. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as, but not limited to, the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, business considerations, internal equity, and external market pay for comparable jobs. Additionally, comprehensive benefits are part of the total rewards package.

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As an equal employment opportunity employer, and in accordance with our core values of impact, safety, respect, integrity and teamwork, Argonne National Laboratory is committed to a safe and welcoming workplace that fosters collaborative scientific discovery and innovation. Argonne encourages everyone to apply for employment. Argonne is committed to nondiscrimination and considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to any characteristic protected by law.