Posting Title

Postdoctoral Researcher - Metabolic Engineering and Synthetic Biology

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Location

CO - Golden

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Position Type

Postdoc (Fixed Term)

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Hours Per Week

40

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Working at NRELThe National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), located at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains in Golden, Colorado is the nation's primary laboratory for research and development of renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies.

From day one at NREL, you’ll connect with coworkers driven by the same mission to save the planet. By joining an organization that values a supportive, inclusive, and flexible work environment, you’ll have the opportunity to engage through our eight employee resource groups, numerous employee-driven clubs, and learning and professional development classes.

NREL supports inclusive, diverse, and unbiased hiring practices that promote creativity and innovation. By collaborating with organizations that focus on diverse talent pools, reaching out to underrepresented demographics, and providing an inclusive application and interview process, our Talent Acquisition team aims to hear all voices equally. We strive to attract a highly diverse workforce and create a culture where every employee feels welcomed and respected and they can be their authentic selves.

Our planet needs us! Learn about NREL’s critical objectives, and see how NREL is focused on saving the planet.

Note: Research suggests that potential job seekers may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage anyone who is interested in this opportunity to apply. We seek dedicated people who believe they have the skills and ambition to succeed at NREL to apply for this role.

Job Description

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in Golden, Colorado , is the nation's primary laboratory for research, development, and deployment of renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies. The NREL mission is to develop renewable energy and energy efficient technologies and practices, advance related science and engineering, and transfer knowledge and innovation to address the nation's energy and environmental goals. The Renewable Resources and Enabling Sciences Center at NREL has an opening for a full time Postdoctoral Researcher within the Synthetic Biology and Bioconversion Group. The initial appointment is for one year, with possible renewal up to three years.

The successful candidate will work in the Agile BioFoundry (ABF) project to conduct metabolic engineering and synthetic biology to integrate, evolve, and improve new pathways and new genes in engineered strains for production
of renewable fuels and chemicals from various biomass-derived intermediates. Moreover, the successful candidate will work with bioprocess engineers for scale-up activities in bioreactor cultivations to improve strain performance in
an iterative fashion. This work will lead to industrially relevant strain performance.

Selected publications related to this work are listed below:

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-022-32296-y

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1096717619303994

The successful candidate will be able to:

work safely and independently in a laboratory settingplan and execute research in collaboration with other researcherscommunicate scientific results effectively, both in written and oral formatsauthor peer-reviewed publicationswork effectively in a large, multidisciplinary team of engineers, chemists, and biologists.

 

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Basic QualificationsMust be a recent PhD graduate within the last three years.

* Must meet educational requirements prior to employment start date.

Additional Required QualificationsResearch experience in metabolic engineering and synthetic biology in non -model bacteriaDevelopment and implementation of novel genetic toolsExperience with systems biology methodsTake initiative to set direction and goals for assigned tasksA skilled researcher who applies, on a broad basis, existing theories, principles, and concepts, and is fully competent in all conventional applications of knowledge common to metabolic engineering and synthetic biologyTroubleshooting and problem-solving skillsAbility to deliver high-quality results within aggressive timelinesStrong record of quality peer-reviewed publicationsStrong safety recordDemonstrated ability to follow complex standard operating procedures with attention to detail

Preferred Qualifications

Development and deployment of CRISPR-based applicationsExperience with engineering and cultivation of anaerobic microorganismsExperience in bioreactor cultivationBasic analytical skills including HPLC

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Annual Salary Range (based on full-time 40 hours per week)Job Profile: Postdoctoral Researcher / Annual Salary Range: $71,300 - $117,600

NREL takes into consideration a candidate’s education, training, and experience, expected quality and quantity of work, required travel (if any), external market and internal value, including seniority and merit systems, and internal pay alignment when determining the salary level for potential new employees. In compliance with the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act, a potential new employee’s salary history will not be used in compensation decisions.

Benefits SummaryBenefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance; short-term disability insurance*; pension benefits*; 403(b) Employee Savings Plan with employer match*; life and accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance; personal time off (PTO) and sick leave; and paid holidays. NREL employees may be eligible for, but are not guaranteed, performance-, merit-, and achievement- based awards that include a monetary component. Some positions may be eligible for relocation expense reimbursement.

* Based on eligibility rules

Submission Guidelines

Please note that in order to be considered an applicant for any position at NREL you must submit an application form for each position for which you believe you are qualified. Applications are not kept on file for future positions. Please include a cover letter and resume with each position application.

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EEO Policy

NREL is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard basis of age (40 and over), color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, domestic partner status, military or veteran status, national origin/ancestry, race, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding), sexual orientation, and any other applicable status protected by federal, state, or local laws.

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