Bioinformaticist Research Scientist (Joint Genome Institute)

Berkeley Lab’s (LBNL) Joint Genome Institute (JGI) has an opening for a Bioinformatics Research Scientist to join the BioMolecular Materials Group!

In this exciting role, you will provide bioinformatics expertise for the joint JGI-TMF user program. You will have the opportunity to collaborate with users on project development and awarded research, advancing external partnerships. This aligns with the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Biological and Environmental Research (BER) mission to develop computational approaches to support research in critical minerals and materials, programmable living materials, and quantum genomics. You will build scalable bioinformatics workflows and help advance research integrating genomics with AI/ML, materials science, and emerging national priorities.

The JGI is a global leader in genome science, helping shape the future of biological discovery through advanced genomic capabilities, expert support, and large-scale, AI-ready data resources. As a Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science user facility supported by the Biological and Environmental Research (BER) program, JGI advances BER’s mission to achieve a predictive understanding of complex biological, Earth, and environmental systems in support of the nation’s energy and infrastructure security. Through world-class capabilities in genome sequencing, synthesis, transcriptomics, metabolomics, natural products, and data science, JGI supports cutting-edge research on plants, fungi, algae, microorganisms, and microbiomes. JGI is headquartered in Berkeley, CA at Berkeley Lab’s Integrative Genomics Building (IGB).

This position has an anticipated start date of September 1, 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 benefits.
• Generous paid time off, sick time off, and holidays.
• A culture where you’ll belong - we are invested in our teams!

What You Will Do:

• Develop and apply computational methods for cross-kingdom comparative analyses to support the identification and prediction of function across diverse organisms.
• Generate co-expression analyses using existing and newly generated data. 
• Lead the construction of community-accessible atlases of known and predicted processes and their regulatory factors, integrating genomic, structural, and functional data.
• Evaluate and benchmark AI agents for automated analyses and incorporate validated tools into scalable bioinformatics workflows supporting user and internal research projects.
• Contribute to the design, validation, and AI-enabled capabilities of the Data Lakehouse platform.
• Contribute to the preparation of JGI-led and community-led publications on topics arising from the JGI-TMF user program. 
• Perform large-scale data analysis, publish findings, and support high-impact scientific research.
• Develop strategies to understand the complex genome-based molecular mechanisms that are responsible for processes relevant to the JGI-TMF user program. 
• Collaborate with members of the BioMolecular Materials Group and users of the JGI-TMF partnership program.
• Present research findings at national scientific conferences, workshops, and group meetings.
• Provide training, mentorship, and guidance to junior members of the research group. 
• Identify, develop, and secure external funding through competitive grant proposals and other sponsored research opportunities.
• Support outreach to industry partners and other potential external partners in coordination with group leadership.

What We Are Looking For:

• A Ph.D. (or equivalent knowledge/training) in Microbiology, Bioinformatics, Biotechnology, or a related field and a minimum of 2 years of relevant research experience in bioinformatics tools, including phylogenetics and comparative genomics or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Demonstrated experience conducting large-scale analysis of microbial and plant genomes and metagenomes, supported by a strong record of recent publications or manuscripts in preparation.
• Experience developing scalable computational workflows for high-throughput genomic data analysis. 
• Proficiency in Python programming and experience developing scripts, tools, or pipelines to support biological data analysis.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively supervise staff, including assigning work, providing coaching and performance feedback, and supporting employee development.
• Strong publication record in peer-reviewed scientific journals, with experience in the preparation and handling of scientific manuscripts, reports, and research posters.
• Strong analytical skills including experience identifying issues, troubleshooting complex problems, and recommending appropriate solutions.
• Excellent organizational and record-keeping skills, including experience organizing and presenting technical reports to collaborators, staff, management, and sponsors.
• Demonstrated oral and written communication skills including experience preparing research results, publishing scientific research, delivering presentations, and preparing funding proposals.
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills including experience conducting independent, data-driven research and collaborating with an interdisciplinary research team.

Desired Qualifications:

• A Ph.D. in Microbiology, Bioinformatics, Biotechnology, or a related field. 

• Experience with plant and algal functional genomics.
• Experience with metals in biology.

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 August 3, 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), Career Track 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 $82,860 - $132,588 annually, which fits within the full salary range of $82,860 - $198,888 annually for job code S04.1. 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).

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 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.