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Postdoctoral Researcher - Computational - The California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences

Position overview

Position title: Postdoc Employee
Salary range: The UC academic salary scales set the minimum pay determined by rank and step at appointment. See the following table(s) for the current salary scale(s) for this position https://www.ucop.edu/academic-personnel-programs/_files/2024-25/oct-2024-scales/t23.pdf. A reasonable estimate for this position is $66,737 - $71,769.

Percent time: 100%

Anticipated start: Winter 2025

Review timeline: 2 years with the possibility of extension based on performance and availability of funding.

Application Window
Open date: November 1, 2024

Most recent review date: Friday, Nov 15, 2024 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Applications received after this date will be reviewed by the search committee if the position has not yet been filled.

Final date: Sunday, Dec 1, 2024 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Applications will continue to be accepted until this date, but those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled.

Position description

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: 

• Annotate, phylogenomically classify, and functionally analyze sequence data from microbial isolates from CF patients.
• Apply pangenomic approaches to study the genetic diversity within and between pathogenic and commensal species.
• Develop and implement adaptive learning models to predict microbial community compositions that inhibit pathogen growth.
• Collaborate with wet-lab researchers to validate computational predictions through experimental assays.
• Construct and refine metabolic models of key microbial species and communities.
• Collaborate with a computer scientist to create a public database for all data generated during this project.
• Manage computational workflows and maintain detailed records of analytical procedures and results.
• Prepare manuscripts for publication in high-impact scientific journals.
• Present research findings at national and international conferences and symposia.
• Mentor and train junior lab members, including graduate and undergraduate students.

Qualifications
Basic qualifications (required at time of application)
PhD (or equivalent international degree) or enrolled in a PhD (or equivalent international degree) program

Additional qualifications (required at time of start)

• A PhD or equivalent international degree.
• No more than 3 years of post-degree research experience by start date.

Preferred qualifications

• Ph.D. in Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, Microbiology, Systems Biology, or a related field.
• Experience with microbiome research, particularly in the context of cystic fibrosis or other chronic or lung inflammatory diseases.
• Familiarity with high-performance computing and cloud-based computational resources.
• Experience in database management.
• Knowledge of host-microbe interactions and immunology.
• Wet-lab experience in microbiology, genetics, and molecular biology.

Application Requirements

Document requirements

• Curriculum Vitae - Your most recent C.V. includes a list of publications, each accompanied by a brief 2-3 sentence summary detailing your contributions to the published work.
• Cover Letter
• Statement of Research (Optional)
• Statement on Contributions to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging - Statement on your contributions to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in research, teaching, and service, including information about your record of activities to date, and plans for contributing if hired at UC Berkeley. More Information and guidelines.

Reference requirements

• 3-5 required (contact information only)

Apply link: https://aprecruit.berkeley.edu/JPF04683

Help contact: gaterry@berkeley.edu

About UC Berkeley

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.

Job location
Berkeley, CA


To apply, visit https://aprecruit.berkeley.edu/JPF04683