Postdoctoral Researcher - The California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences

The California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences at the University of California, Berkeley seeks applications for a Postdoc in the Arkin Lab, in the area of Microbiology, Bioengineering, Chemical Engineering, Genetics, Molecular Biology, or a related field.

The Arkin Lab at UC-Berkeley is seeking a highly motivated, curious, and skilled Postdoctoral Researcher interested in human microbiome characterization and probiotic engineering to join our team. The Arkin Lab uses systems and synthetic biology approaches to understand and engineer bacteria and their consortia in a range of environments and applications. This position will be focused on experimentally characterizing the microbiome of cystic fibrosis (CF) patients and engineering probiotics to prevent infections by major pathogenic species in patients experiencing CF and other chronic, inflammatory lung diseases. This position offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge research in microbial genomics, genetic engineering, and synthetic biology.

Responsibilities:

* Phenotyping and sequencing pathogenic and commensal bacterial isolates from the microbiomes of CF patients.

* Engineering reporter strains for use in high-throughput assays.

* Developing high-throughput methods for engineering synthetic microbial communities that inhibit growth of target pathogens in vitro.

* Collaborate with computational team members to analyze and predict results of probiotic formulation experiments.

* Collaborate within an interdisciplinary team to use these probiotic formulations in tissue culture and mouse model systems.

* Translational formulation and scale-up work.

* Management of experimental workflows and maintaining detailed records of experimental procedures and results.

* Preparing manuscripts for publication in high-impact scientific journals.

* Presenting research findings at national and international conferences and symposia.

* Mentor and train junior lab members, including graduate and undergraduate students.

PhD (or equivalent international degree) or enrolled in a PhD (or equivalent international degree) program

* A PhD or equivalent international degree.

* No more than 3 years of post-degree research experience by start date.

* Ph.D. in Microbiology, Bioengineering, Chemical Engineering, Genetics, Molecular Biology, or a related field.

* Extensive experience in microbial growth, isolation, phenotyping, sequencing, and genetic engineering.

* Strong background in molecular cloning and synthetic biology approaches.

* Demonstrated ability to conduct independent research and contribute to collaborative projects.

* Excellent written and oral communication skills.

* Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.

* Proficiency in bioinformatics (R, python) and statistical analysis of microbiome data.

* Experience engineering microbial communities.

* Experience with microbiome research, particularly in the context of cystic fibrosis or other chronic or lung inflammatory diseases.

* Familiarity with high-throughput screening techniques and automation.

* Knowledge of host-microbe interactions and immunology.

• 3-5 required (contact information only)

UC Berkeley is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. The excellence of the institution requires an environment in which the diverse community of faculty, students, and staff are welcome and included. Successful candidates will demonstrate knowledge and skill related to ensuring equity and inclusion in the activities of their academic position (e.g., teaching, research, and service, as applicable).

The University of California, Berkeley is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or protected veteran status.

Please refer to the University of California's Affirmative Action Policy and the University of California's Anti-Discrimination Policy.

In searches when letters of reference are required all letters will be treated as confidential per University of California policy and California state law. Please refer potential referees, including when letters are provided via a third party (i.e., dossier service or career center), to the UC Berkeley statement of confidentiality prior to submitting their letter.

As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.