Directorate: Energy and Environment Directorate
Division: Energy Processes & Materials
Group: Chemical & Biological Process Development
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Job Description
We are seeking an independent, energetic scientist who will join our team in using state-of-the-art mycology and molecular biology techniques to develop fungal expression systems amenable to industrial-scale production of enzymes relevant to biofuel production. The candidate will have opportunities to collaborate with a large team of leading scientists and engineers in a state-of-the-art facility within the Joint BioEnergy Institute (JBEI) Deconstruction Division who are developing advanced plant biomass deconstruction technologies for biofuel production.
Improving the heterologous expression of cellulose and lignin deconstruction enzymes in fungal hosts and understanding the fundamental science underlying those improvements will be the core thrust of the candidates work. Assisting in the bioinformatic analysis of the genomes, transcriptomes and proteomes of random mutants and rationally engineered fungi and designing new strategies for further increasing glycoside hydrolase expression based on those results will be an important duty. Designing improved heterologous expression systems including vectors, selection of genes, etc. will be one aspect of this work. The candidate will perform fungal transformations, strain screening and selection, preparation of DNA and RNA for genomic and transcriptomic analysis, performance and analysis of enzyme assays, bioinformatics analysis of large ‘omics data sets, etc.
Essential:
- Experience with filamentous fungi, including transformation, heterologous expression, gene knockouts, DNA, RNA and protein purification, and mutagenesis screening.
- Design, conduct and supervise genetic engineering experiments focused on improving heterologous expression of enzymes in fungi.
- Perform mutagenesis and selection experiments to isolate improved strains for reseqeuencing and gene identification
- Perform research in a collaborative manner in the context of processes upstream and downstream of saccharification, including pretreatment of modified feedstocks, enzymatic digestion of pretreated biomass and fermentation of biomass-derived sugars.
- Maintain an accurate and detailed laboratory notebook (e-notebooks will be used) of all work performed and submit this information into an electronic database. Ensure that others can duplicate results. Work in a safe and considerate manner.
- Periodically provide written reports and give oral presentations to discuss results and issues.
Environment, Health and Safety: Describe duties and responsibilities associated with both classification level and specific position.
EH&S: Employees must perform work in a manner that protects the health and safety of themselves, other employees, and the public, and preserves the quality of the environment by:
- Completing required EH&S courses (identified by the Job Hazards Questionnaire or equivalent)
- Analyzing workplace and environmental hazards
- Implementing controls to reduce or eliminate hazards
- Striving for continuous EH&S improvement
Supervisors have the additional responsibility to ensure all employees they supervise meet this expectation.
Workplace Environment:
Diversity: Employees at all levels of the organization are expected to work effectively within our diverse culture by promoting and supporting an environment in which all employees are valued, respected, and included. Managers and Supervisors have the additional responsibility to enhance this development by modeling and sustaining the commitment among team members and staff.
Minimum Requirements
Candidates must have received a PhD within the past five years from an accredited college or university. All staff at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory must be able to demonstrate the legal right to work in the United States.
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Qualifications
Required
- Recent PhD in Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Mycology, Cell Biology, Biochemical Engineering, Plant Pathology, Enzymology, or related disciplines
- Experience with molecular biology and construction of protein expression systems.
- Demonstrated ability to conduct experiments independently, maintain appropriate records and manage data.
- Strong personal, verbal and written communication skills.
- Demonstrated track record of publishing in the peer-reviewed scientific literature.
- Ability to work in a team environment and effectively interact with a broad range of colleagues.
Strongly Desired
- Experience with fungal molecular biology or genetics
- Experience in bioinformatics
- Experience with performance and analysis of enzyme assays
- Knowledge of enzymatic polysaccharide saccharification and/or lignin degradation
- Familiarity with systems biology tools; genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, etc.
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Equal Employment Opportunity
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is an Affirmative Action / Equal Opportunity Employer and supports diversity in the workplace. All employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital or family status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or genetic information. All staff at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory must be able to demonstrate the legal right to work in the United States.
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