Biophysicist Research Scientist

Berkeley Lab’s (LBNL) Molecular Biophysics and Integrated Bioimaging Division (MBIB) has an opening for a Biophysicist Research Scientist to join the Bioenergetics Department.

In this exciting role, you will develop and apply novel data analysis methods for time resolved diffraction studies of photosynthetic proteins as well as several other enzyme systems that are relevant to the mission of the Laboratory and to the Basic Energy Sciences (BES) program of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). You will have the opportunity to be instrumental in these ongoing efforts, using both synchrotron- and X-ray Free Electrons Laser (XFEL)-based data, within the Photosynthetic Systems program at MBIB, utilizing high-performance computing approaches and novel machine learning-based algorithms especially focused on the water splitting reaction in photosystem II. 

This position has an anticipated start date of January 1, 2025.

What You Will Do:

• Approach challenging complex problems at the intersection of structural biology and bioenergetics in a highly innovative and cross-disciplinary way, enabling best possible utilization of data obtained by state-of-the-art experimental approaches and connecting them with theory-based approaches.
• Develop new approaches in analyzing and interpreting time resolved protein crystallography data obtained by XFEL experiments, especially in conjunction with spectroscopic studies, molecular dynamics simulations, quantum mechanics guided structure refinement, and machine learning approaches.
• Develop software solutions (including utilizing high-performance computing) to implement these approaches and make them user-friendly and accessible.
• Propose, execute, and manage synchrotron, XFEL, and related experiments on different enzymes and model systems with relevance to the DOE BES and National Institutes of Health (NIH) funded research in the lab and support data collection and processing for various beam times per year at national and international facilities.
• Analyze experimental data relevant to the Photosynthetic Systems program and lead in collaborations with external researchers in the analysis of other experimental data.
• Play an active role in maintaining and establishing collaborations with relevant experimental and computational scientists (internal/external/international) related to the focus area as established in consultation with the Principal Investigators (PIs).
• Play an active role in the preparation of publications, project management and reporting, and grant writing for existing projects in close interaction with the PIs.   
• Provide guidance and training to junior members in new data analysis approaches. Mentor undergraduate and graduate students.
• Develop new project directions and related funding proposals in close collaboration with the supervisor/PIs to strengthen and widen the physical biosciences and photosynthetic systems footprint in the MBIB Division. 

What is Required:

• A Ph.D. (or equivalent knowledge/training) in Biophysics, Chemistry, or a related field and a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Demonstrated programming experience in Python/C++ and other relevant languages including the ability to program and debug Python code as related to the analyses of experimental data, deploy software leveraging high-performance computational resources.
• Experience in large-scale data analyses at synchrotron and XFEL user facilities.
• Sound knowledge of the theoretical basis of a variety of structural/computational biology approaches, including protein crystal diffraction, molecular dynamics simulations, and DFT calculations.
• Broad knowledge of photosynthetic protein structures and energy relevant metalloenzymes.
• Knowledge of the water splitting system in photosystem II, photosynthetic systems, and metalloenzymes of relevance to energy.
• Good understanding of bioenergetics, protein dynamics, and bioinorganic chemistry.
• Basic skills and understanding of applied mathematics, statistics, and machine learning methods.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and record keeping skills including experience recording experiment results and analyzing data.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills including experience presenting findings at group meetings, conferences, and publishing results. 
• Demonstrated interpersonal skills including experience collaborating with diverse teams of scientific, operations, and technical staff.

Desired Qualifications:

• A Ph.D. in Biophysics, Chemistry, or a related field
• Experience in experimental synchrotron and XFEL sciences.
• Demonstrated ability to write proposals for access to user facilities (i.e., experimental time, computing time, etc.) and strongly contribute to/lead proposal writing for new funding sources and project directions. 
• Demonstrated ability to identify fundamental limitations in current data analysis practices and identify approaches that can overcome these problems.
• Demonstrated ability to connect physical principles and simulations with experimental data.

Notes:

• For full consideration, please apply with a curriculum vitae (CV) or resume by November 26, 2024.
• This is a full-time career appointment, exempt (monthly paid) from overtime pay.
• This position is expected to pay $101,216 - $134,947 per year for job code S07.2. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary for this position will be commensurate with the final candidate’s qualification and experience, including skills, knowledge, relevant education, certifications, and aligned with the internal peer group.
• 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.
• This position will be performed on site at Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA 94760.

Learn About Us:

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 16 Nobel prizes. The University of California manages Berkeley Lab for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Science.

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