The Joint BioEnergy Institute (JBEI) is a new multi-organizational research center comprising world-class resources and expertise located in one facility at Emeryville, California. The goal of JBEI is to use rapidly advancing scientific techniques, such as systems and synthetic biology, to accelerate development of the nation's biofuels industry.  JBEI is a U.S. Department of Energy funded Bioenergy Research Center, managed by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) with partners from 5 internationally recognized scientific institutions:  Sandia National Laboratories (SNL), Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), University of California-Davis (UCD), University of California-Berkeley (UCB), and the Carnegie Institution for Science.

JBEI is designed to be an engine of ingenuity, dynamically organized with all the scientific teams working together in a single location to enable researchers to share ideas and address cellulosic biomass problems at a systems level. Within 60 miles of JBEI, we have available some of the world’s foremost authorities on energy, plant biology, systems and synthetic biology, imaging, nanoscience, and computation, plus the highest concentration of national laboratories and research universities in the nation.

This postdoctoral position shall be responsible for developing new methods and using existing methods for investigating enzymes involved in biosynthesis of plant cell walls and characterizing plants with mutations in the genes encoding these enzymes. The candidate will have experience with biochemistry and molecular biology. The candidates should also have experience in one or more of the following areas and techniques:
•    HPLC
•    NMR
•    Phenolic polymerization
•    Peroxidase characterization
•    Plant genetics
•    Heterologous expression of proteins and yeast experience

Essential:
80%
•    Develop methods to analyze monolignol polymerization and cell wall peroxidases
•    Use of yeast and Ecoli for protein heterologous expression/production
•    Reverse genetics in Arabidopsis
•    Bioimaging
•    Collect and analyze data and prepare results for publication in scientific journals and presentations at seminars.
•    Assist with the development of funding proposals.
•    Assist PI with training and managing the workflow of technical staff and students.
20%
•    Participate in group meetings and seminars.
•    Maintain an accurate and detailed scientific logbook of all experiments performed.  Ensure that others could duplicate results.

Essential:
•    PhD in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology or related areas.
•    Knowledge of biological systems
•    Experience with HPLC
•    Demonstrated ability to conduct experiments independently, maintain appropriate records and manage data.
•    Strong collaborative skills and ability to work in a team environment.
•    Good verbal and written communication skills
•    Experience with writing submissions for scientific journals
•    Experience with enzyme assays

Marginal:
•    Experience with chromatography
•    Experience with NMR
•    Experience with Arabidopsis or other model plants
•    Experience with heterologous expression system
•    Experience with characterization of complex carbohydrates
•    Experience with confocal microscopy
•    Experience with characterization or purification of membrane proteins

To apply: This is a full-time one-year Term appointment, renewable under the same conditions, contingent upon the continued availability of funding and work. For consideration apply online at: http://jobs.lbl.gov, select "Search Jobs", and enter jobnumber 21818 in the keyword search field. For more information about JBEI go to: www.jbei.org













This is a one year Term appointment, renewable under the same conditions, contingent upon the continued availability of funding and work. For immediate consideration please apply at: http://jobs.lbl.gov/LBNLCareers/details.asp?jid=21615&p=1.















Berkeley Lab is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer committed to the development of a diverse workforce. For more information about LBNL and its programs, visit www.lbl.gov. Information about JBEI can be found at http://jbei.org.