Biologist Postdoctoral Fellow

Berkeley Lab’s (LBNL) Biological Systems and Engineering (BSE) Division has an opening for a Postdoctoral Fellow to join the Mukhopadhyay Group and the Department of Energy (DOE) funded m-CAFEs project. 

In this exciting role, you will engineer key microbes involved in plant-root communities, to study plant–microbe interactions in engineered ecosystems, particularly those involving Sorghum. Using genetic, proteomic, and metabolomic and other functional genomics approaches, you will investigate microbial stress tolerance and resilience mechanisms, including biofilm formation, regulatory systems, stress responses, and horizontal gene transfer. You will also assess how microbial engineering affects community stability, root colonization, and persistence within plant microbiomes.

This position has an anticipated start date of January 1, 2027.

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 postdoctoral scholars by offering benefits and resources designed to support your well-being, professional growth, and life outside of work:

• Comprehensive health benefits, including medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Retirement savings through the UC Defined Contribution Safe Harbor Plan, with additional voluntary UC retirement savings options available
• Generous Paid Time off including 24 days of Personal Time Off (PTO) per fiscal year, plus accrued sick leave and paid holidays.
• Opportunities to connect, network, and grow through the Berkeley Lab Postdoc Association, including social events, professional development, and scientific exchange
• A collaborative and inclusive culture where you can grow your research career and belong.

What You Will Do:

• Engineer rhizosphere-colonizing microbes for use in monocultures and designed communities within laboratory systems, including EcoFABs and EcoPOD.
• Develop quantitative assays to assess microbial stress responses, nutrient availability, salt tolerance, iron sequestration, membrane integrity, and metabolic effects.
• Investigate plant–microbe interactions under varying environmental conditions.
• Optimize methods to isolate microbes, biofilms, extracellular matrices, and microbial DNA from complex rhizosphere samples.
• Use functional genomics tools, including RB-TnSeq libraries and transposon mutant collections, to identify and validate genetic fitness determinants.
• Analyze high-throughput, omics, and sequencing data using statistical methods such as PCA and correlation analysis.
• Participate in group meetings, project discussions, and seminars.
• Lead the preparation and authorship of peer-reviewed publications.
• Maintain detailed, reproducible experimental records.

• Collaborate with the m-CAFEs and EcoPOD teams to conduct research.
• Train research assistants and support lab members with experimental, computational, and data analysis methods.
• Contribute to research proposals, peer-reviewed publications, and invention disclosures.
• Oversee and maintain assigned laboratory equipment or areas.
• Maintain electronic lab notebooks, research data, and microbial strain and plasmid archives.
• Prepare detailed semiannual reports to support peer-reviewed publications.

What is Required:

• A recent Ph.D. (within the last 1-2 years) in Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Plant Biology or a related field.
• Relevant experience in plant-microbe interactions, examining microbes in soil, rhizosphere, and plant-microbe systems.
• Experience in large scale sequencing data analysis and bioinformatics tools (e.g., gene fitness profiling, PCA, and heat maps).
• Experience with using and developing genetics tools (e.g., transposon mutagenesis, targeted gene knockouts, and plasmid construction).
• Experience working with a range of microbial systems, specifically plant-associated rhizobacteria, such as Paraburkholderia and other bacterial species.
• Experience with mesocosms, microcosms, or controlled plant growth facilities.
• Strong track-record of publications in peer-reviewed journals.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including experience documenting research activities, analyzing results, and presenting findings for a variety of audiences. 
• Strong analytical skills, including the ability to identify problems, troubleshoot, and demonstrate good judgement in selecting methods and techniques for obtaining solutions.
• Demonstrated interpersonal skills, including experience collaborating with an interdisciplinary research team in a multi-disciplinary scientific or production environment.

Desired Qualifications:

• Direct experience operating mesocosms (e.g., lysimeters, EcoPODs) or controlled artificial ecosystem platforms.
• Experience working with non-model plant-associated bacteria, and grass host systems, such as Sorghum.
• Knowledge of microbial mechanisms involved in organic stress tolerance, tolerance mechanisms such as RND efflux pumps, membrane integrity, signaling networks, regulation and biofilm formation. 
• Demonstrated leadership capability in delegating tasks and mentoring early career research personnel.

Additional Information:

• Application Date: Priority consideration will be given to candidates who apply with a curriculum vitae (CV) or resume and a cover letter describing their interest in this position by November 2, 2026. Applications will be accepted until the job posting is removed.

• Appointment Type: This is a full time, exempt from overtime pay (monthly paid), 2 year (benefits eligible), Postdoctoral Fellow appointment with the possibility of renewal based upon satisfactory job performance, continuing availability of funds, and ongoing operational needs. You must have less than 3 years of paid postdoctoral experience. This position is represented by a union for collective bargaining purposes.
• Union Represented: This position is represented by a union for collective bargaining purposes.
• Salary Range: The salary range for this position is $6,048 - $6,743 monthly / $75,252 - $80,916 annually and is expected to start at $6,048 monthly / $75,252 annually or above. Postdoctoral positions are paid on a step schedule per union contract and salaries are predetermined based on postdoctoral step rates. Each step represents one full year of completed post-Ph.D. postdoctoral and/or related research experience.
• 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: Work will be performed onsite at the Emeryville Station East (ESE) Operations Center located in Building 978 at 5885 Hollis Street Emeryville, CA 94608. A REAL ID or other acceptable form of identification is required to access Berkeley Lab sites (for more information click here).
• Relocation: This position is eligible for relocation assistance.

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.

Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts an offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of substantiated misconduct with a previous employer. For additional information, click here.