Synthetic Biologist Research Scientist

We have an opening for a Research Scientist to contribute to synthetic biology protein engineering and microbial biotechnology research within the Synthetic Biology group in the Biosciences and Biotechnology Division. The successful candidate will join a multidisciplinary team developing novel designed proteins and microbes for national security applications including critical material recovery under the direction of Dan Park and Sean Leonard.

Working under limited direction the successful candidate will perform moderately complex experimental assignments use independent judgment to select and adapt established methods analyze results troubleshoot experimental issues and recommend improvements to workflows Candidates should have an interest in learning new skills and techniques and applying them to solve real-world scientific problems that inform the use of these technologies for both government and commercial applications.

This position requires full-time on-site presence due to the nature of the work.

In this role you will:

• Perform library-scale molecular cloning plasmid preparation bacterial transformation and sequence verification in E. coli and non-model microbes.
• Execute and optimize high-throughput assays to evaluate protein or microbial performance.
• Express purify and characterize proteins using standard biochemical and chromatographic techniques.
• Contribute to general laboratory operations including media and reagent preparation equipment maintenance inventory management waste disposal and laboratory organization.
• Analyze and interpret experimental data to identify trends troubleshoot discrepancies and recommend refinements to subsequent experiments. Maintain accurate laboratory notebooks and electronic records prepare data summaries and effectively communicate experimental results with project team members.
• Contribute to the development revision and documentation of laboratory protocols and standard operating procedures as assigned.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications :

• Bachelors degree in Synthetic Biology Molecular Biology Microbiology Biochemistry Bioengineering Biological Sciences or a related field or an equivalent combination of education and related experience.
• Experience with standard molecular biology techniques including PCR gel electrophoresis DNA assembly/cloning plasmid preparation and bacterial transformation.
• Experience culturing and maintaining bacterial strains using sterile technique.
• Experience with recombinant protein expression and purification.
• Strong analytical organizational and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary research environment.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills necessary to document procedures present results and collaborate with technical staff.

Qualifications we desire:

• Experience with synthetic biology tools and workflows including Gibson Assembly Golden Gate Assembly or related DNA assembly methods.
• Experience with high-throughput screening laboratory automation or microbial strain engineering in E. coli or non-model microbes.
• Familiarity with protein characterization techniques chromatography or biochemical assays.
• Experience with fermentation microbial process development or bioprocess scale-up.
• Experience with preparing DNA libraries for short- and long- read sequencing.
• Experience with bioinformatic tools for DNA sequence analysis including experience working at the command line (Bash/ZSH) and/or a common scripting language (R/Python).

Pay Range

$146340 - $185544 annually

This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting; pay will not be below any applicable local minimum wage.  An employees position within the salary range will be based on several factors including but not limited to specific competencies relevant education qualifications certifications experience skills seniority geographic location performance and business or organizational needs.

Additional Information :

#LI-Onsite

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

Position Information

This is a Flexible Term appointment which is for a definite period not to exceed six years.  If final candidate is a Career Indefinite employee Career Indefinite status may be maintained (should funding allow).

Why Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

• Included in 2026 Best Places to Work by Glassdoor!
• Flexible Benefits Package
• 401(k)
• Relocation Assistance
• Education Reimbursement Program
• Flexible schedules (*depending on project needs)
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  Remote Work :

  No

  
  

  Employment Type :

  Full-time