Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

Berkeley Lab’s (LBNL) Molecular Biophysics and Integrated Bioimaging Division (MBIB) has an opening for a Postdoctoral Fellow to develop new computational methods for the structure determination and refinement of protein structures using the PHENIX software system.

In this exciting role, you will work under the direction of the Deputy Director for this project with primary responsibilities including the development and implementation of numerical methods and new computational protocols, including the application of machine learning methods. The goals of the role include the development of automated pipelines for data analysis, structure completion and model validation.

The Phenix software is used worldwide for the determination of atomic structures using X-ray and neutron crystallography and cryo-electron microscopy. The software is developed as part of an international collaboration supported by the National Institutes of Health and the Phenix Industrial Consortium. This will require the organization of results for presentation and viewing by project team members, the wider scientific community, and preparing results for publication in scientific journals.

This position has an earliest start date of February 3, 2025.

What You Will Do:

• Develop and implement computational algorithms for structure determination using crystallography and cryo-electron microscopy including:
• Improved methods for the optimization and completion of models
• Automated pipelines for data analysis, structure completion, and model validation
• Apply machine learning methods to problems in crystallography and cryo-electron microscopy.
• Develop and test new components of the PHENIX software system in collaboration with others.
• Document software developments.
• Collaborate with other researchers in the PHENIX program.
• Summarize research results, publish them in peer-reviewed journals, and contribute to scientific research papers and reports.
• Contribute to discussions on the determination of future directions.
• Attend group meetings or conferences/workshops, present status reports, and scientific findings as appropriate.
• Keep accurate and detailed research notes.

What is Required:

• A recent Ph.D. (within the last 1-2 years) in Computational Crystallography, Computational Cryo-Electron Microscopy, Computational Biology, Bioinformatics, Computational Chemistry or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated experience in developing computational algorithms for solving problems.
• Demonstrated experience with computational methods development.
• Publications in macromolecular crystallography, cryo-electron microscopy or closely related fields.
• Good programming and mathematical skills, including familiarity with Python and other software development tools.
• Strong organizational skills including experience maintaining detailed and accurate records of experiment results and analyzed data.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills including experience organizing/presenting technical reports.
• Demonstrated interpersonal skills including experience conducting experiments independently and collaborating with a diverse interdisciplinary research team.

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience with machine learning methods, programming with C++, or equivalent object-oriented programming languages.
• Experience with the practical aspects of crystallography and/or cryo-electron microscopy.
• Familiarity with macromolecular structure or computational chemistry.

Notes:

• For full consideration, please apply with a curriculum vitae (CV) or resume and a cover letter describing your interest by January 31, 2025.
• This is a full time, exempt from overtime pay (monthly paid), 2 year (benefits eligible), Postdoctoral Fellow appointment with the possibility of renewal based upon satisfactory job performance, continuing availability of funds, and ongoing operational needs. You must have less than 3 years of paid postdoctoral experience.
• The monthly salary range for this position is $7,828 - $8,742 and is expected to start at $7,828 or above. Postdoctoral positions are paid on a step schedule per union contract and salaries will be predetermined based on postdoctoral step rates. Each step represents one full year of completed post-Ph.D. postdoctoral experience.
• This position is represented by a union for collective bargaining purposes.
• 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.
• This position may be 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.
• This position will be performed onsite at Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA 94720.

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