Bioinformatics Engineer (Genomics Analysis Team)

Berkeley Lab’s (LBNL) Joint Genome Institute (JGI) has an opening for a Bioinformatics Engineer to join the Genomics Analysis Team!

In this exciting role, you will support the development of production-level quality control for DNA sequence data to meet the Department of Energy (DOE) metrics. This will include the development, maintenance, and improvement of quality analysis pipelines, genomic assembly workflows, and bioinformatics tools for processing data from multiple sequencing platforms (PacBio, Illumina, Oxford Nanopore). You will have the opportunity to work closely with sequencing teams, software engineers, biologists, and other members of the Genomic Technologies Department to analyze and summarize genomic datasets, from raw sequencing reads to final genome assemblies. You will collaborate with internal groups, external staff, and members of the JGI's user community to develop high-throughput software tools for sequencing data processing, delivering high-quality datasets accompanied by clear and concise professional reports.

The JGI’s mission is to provide the global research community with access to the most advanced integrative genome science capabilities in support of the DOEs research mission to solve the world’s evolving energy and environmental challenges. The JGI supports projects in genome sequencing, synthesis, transcriptomics, metabolomics, and natural products in plants, fungi, algae, and microorganisms. This position is headquartered on the Lab’s main site at the Integrative Genomics Building (IGB) (Virtual Tour).

This position has an anticipated start date of January 15, 2026.

We’re here for the same mission, to bring science solutions to the world. Join our team and YOU will play a supporting role in our goal to address global challenges! Have a high level of impact and work for an organization associated with 17 Nobel Prizes!

Why join Berkeley Lab?

We invest in our employees by offering a total rewards package you can count on:

• Exceptional health and retirement benefits, including pension or 401K-style plans
• A culture where you’ll belong - we are invested in our teams! 
• In addition to accruing vacation and sick time, we also have a Winter Holiday Shutdown every year.
• Parental bonding leave (for both mothers and fathers)
• Pet insurance

What You Will Do:

• Learn, utilize, develop, and refine new tools for analyzing raw sequencing data. 
• Analyze the impact of the process, hardware, and software changes on production line performance.
• Collaborate with scientists and production staff to improve production line quality. 
• Troubleshoot complex systems and data analysis. 
• Provide feedback to enhance library construction and sequencing procedures.
• Use, design, and develop new tools to analyze assembled sequences of various research projects. 
• Quantitatively evaluate assembly results and use them to improve genome assembly methods and performance.
• Provide technical input to implement new sequence analysis pipelines.
• Produce high-quality documentation for newly developed software and analytical approaches.
• Contribute to scientific and technical publications.

What is Required:

• A Bachelor’s Degree (or equivalent knowledge/training) in Physics, Statistics, Computer Science or a related discipline and a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in Bioinformatics or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Demonstrated experience with standard bioinformatics methods and tools (sequencing databases, assemblers, aligners).
• Experience with distributed computing and high-volume DNA sequencing.
• Demonstrated proficiency with programming languages including Python, R, C/C++, Java, in a Unix environment.
• Strong analytical skills including the ability to identify problems, troubleshoot, and demonstrate good judgement in selecting methods and techniques for obtaining solutions.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including experience organizing and presenting technical information to varying audiences.
• Demonstrated interpersonal skills including experience collaborating with an interdisciplinary research team.

Desired Qualifications:

• A Master’s Degree (or equivalent knowledge/training) in Physics, Statistics, Computer Science or a related discipline and a minimum of 3 years of relevant experience in Bioinformatics or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience with Jupiter Notebooks, including database structure and management.
• Experience applying machine learning, pattern recognition, or modeling techniques to scientific problems.
• Experience working in a multi-disciplinary scientific or production environment.

Additional Information:

• Application Deadline: For full consideration, please apply with a resume and cover letter describing your interest in this position by December 8, 2025.
• Appointment Type: This is a full time, exempt from overtime pay (monthly paid), 2 year (benefits eligible), 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.
• Salary Information: This position has a budgeted salary range of $117,132 - $146,400 annually, which fits within the full salary range of $117,132 - $197,676 annually for job code C70.2. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary will be commensurate with the final candidate’s qualification and experience, including skills, knowledge, relevant education, certifications, and aligned with the internal peer group.
• Background Check: This position is 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 Modality: This position will be performed onsite at Lawrence Berkeley National Lab located at 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA 94720. Work schedules are dependent on business needs. A REAL ID or other acceptable form of identification is required to access Berkeley Lab sites (for more information click here).
• Relocation Assistance: This position is eligible for relocation assistance.
• Work Authorization: Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Berkeley Lab does not provide visa sponsorship for this position.

Want to learn more about working at Berkeley Lab? Please visit: careers.lbl.gov

Equal Employment Opportunity Employer: The foundation of Berkeley Lab is our Stewardship Values: Team Science, Service, Trust, Innovation, and Respect; and we strive to build community with these shared values and commitments. Berkeley Lab is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We heartily welcome applications from all who could contribute to the Lab's mission of leading scientific discovery, excellence, and professionalism. In support of our rich global community, all qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories under State and Federal law.

Berkeley Lab is a University of California employer. It is the policy of the University of California to undertake affirmative action and anti-discrimination efforts, consistent with its obligations as a Federal and State contractor.

Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct, are currently being investigated for misconduct, left a position during an investigation for alleged misconduct, or have filed an appeal with a previous employer.