Postdoctoral Researcher – AI for Biomanufacturing, Hybrid

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Sandia/California’s Biomaterials and Biomanufacturing Department is seeking a dedicated and motivated Postdoctoral Scientist (job title: JBEI Postdoctoral Bio/Chem) to work within the Agile BioFoundry (ABF; agilebiofoundry.org), focusing on the development and Application of computational tools for engineering non-model fungi toward biofuel and biochemical production. The goal of the ABF is to cultivate the bioeconomy by developing advanced biomanufacturing capabilities based on a Design, Build, Test, Learn cycle that are accessible to industry and academic partners. Professional scientists and engineers are developing non-model fungal conversion hosts and have engineered pathways for a wide range of bioproducts into them, including terpenes, lipid-derived products, and organic acids. We are seeking an individual with expertise in computational biology to join us to use advance AI tools, Agentic AI, and other computational biology approaches to help develop valuable bioproducts and optimize their titers, rates and yields to industrially relevant levels.

On any given day, you may be called on to:

• Build and deploy AI/ML models to predict phenotypes, pathway yields, or gene targets for optimization.
• Analyze multi-omics datasets (transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, lipidomics) to inform strain engineering hypotheses.
• Develop AI agents to simplify and standardize science workflows.
• Leverage genome-scale metabolic models (GEMs) to identify metabolic bottlenecks and design strategies for improved strain performance.
• Collaborate closely with experimental biologists to translate computational predictions into testable strain designs within the design-build-test-learn (DBTL) framework.
• Apply retrobiosynthesis and pathway design tools to identify novel biosynthetic routes for target molecules.
• Participate in laboratory management and mentoring student interns.
• Present results at project meetings and conferences.

The selected applicant can work a combination of onsite and offsite work. The selected applicant must live within a reasonable distance for commuting to the assigned work location when necessary.

• PhD in Bioengineering, Computational Biology, Systems Biology, Biotechnology, Chemical Engineering, or other relevant, closely related field.
• Ability to conduct and communicate creative, independent research as proven through a record of technical accomplishment (e.g., publications in high-impact scientific journals, presentations at national/international conferences, etc.)

• Familiarity with AI-based tools for deep research and hypothesis generation and their application to the biosciences
• experience with Agentic AI
• Proficiency in machine learning or statistical modeling applied to biological datasets (e.g., model-guided strain optimization, feature selection for phenotype prediction)
• Strong background in metabolic engineering, systems biology, or computational biology
• Experience in proteomic, transcriptomic and metabolomic data analysis
• Experience with genome-scale metabolic models (GEMs), including model curation, constraint-based modeling, and flux balance analysis (FBA)
• Familiarity with pathway and retrobiosynthesis design tools
• Knowledge of synthetic biology design principles and experience interfacing computational predictions with experimental implementation

The Biomanufacturing and Biomaterials department is dedicated to developing and advancing innovative technologies for producing the next generation of biofuels and biomaterials. Our multidisciplinary staff represents a diverse range of backgrounds and skill sets: molecular biology, chemistry, chemical and biochemical engineering, biophysics, computational science, and biochemistry. We partner broadly with other Sandia departments as well as other national laboratories, industry, and universities to develop practical, science-based solutions to national energy goals. Our group is primarily located at the Emery Station East facility in Emeryville CA, operated by Lawrence Berkeley Lab and home to projects such as the Joint BioEnergy Institute (jbei.org) and Agile Biofoundry (agilebiofoundry.org).

This posting will be open for application submissions for a minimum of seven (7) calendar days, including the ‘posting date’. Sandia reserves the right to extend the posting date at any time.

This position does not currently require a Department of Energy (DOE) security clearance.

Sandia will conduct a pre-employment drug test and background review that includes checks of personal references, credit, law enforcement records, and employment/education verifications. Furthermore, employees in New Mexico need to pass a U.S. Air Force background screen for access to Kirtland Air Force Base. Substance abuse or illegal drug use, falsification of information, criminal activity, serious misconduct or other indicators of untrustworthiness can cause access to be denied or terminated, resulting in the inability to perform the duties assigned and subsequent termination of employment. Under federal law, citizens and agents of the People’s Republic of China, the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Democratic People’s Republic of North Korea, and the Russian Federation are generally prohibited from accessing Sandia National Laboratories. Accordingly, such individuals will not be considered for employment unless they are also a citizen of the United States.

If hired without a clearance and it subsequently becomes necessary to obtain and maintain one for the position, or you bid on positions that require a clearance, a pre-processing background review may be conducted prior to a required federal background investigation. Applicants for a DOE security clearance need to be U.S. citizens. If you hold more than one citizenship (i.e., of the U.S. and another country), your ability to obtain a security clearance may be impacted.

Members of the workforce (MOWs) hired at Sandia who require uncleared access for greater than 179 days during their employment, are required to go through the Uncleared Personal Identity Verification (UPIV) process. Access includes physical and/or cyber (logical) access, as well as remote access to any NNSA information technology (IT) systems. UPIV requirements are not applicable to individuals who require a DOE personnel security clearance for the performance of their SNL employment or to foreign nationals. The UPIV process will include the completion of a USAccess Enrollment, SF-85 (Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions) and OF-306 (Declaration of for Federal Employment). An unfavorable UPIV determination will result in immediate retrieval of the SNL issued badge, removal of cyber (logical) access and/or removal from SNL subcontract. All MOWs may appeal the unfavorable UPIV determination to DOE/NNSA immediately. If the appeal is unsuccessful, the MOW may try to go through the UPIV process one year after the decision date.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status and any other protected class under state or federal law.

If you have a Medical Portable Electronic Device (MedPED), such as a pacemaker, defibrillator, drug-releasing pump, hearing aids, or diagnostic equipment and other equipment for measuring, monitoring, and recording body functions such as heartbeat and brain waves, if employed by Sandia National Laboratories you may be required to comply with NNSA security requirements for MedPEDs.

If you have a MedPED and you are selected for an on-site interview at Sandia National Laboratories, there may be additional steps necessary to ensure compliance with NNSA security requirements prior to the interview date.

This postdoctoral position is a temporary position for up to one year, which may be renewed at Sandia’s discretion up to five additional years. The PhD must have been conferred within five years prior to employment.

Individuals in postdoctoral positions may bid on regular Sandia positions as internal candidates, and in some cases may be converted to regular career positions during their term if warranted by ongoing operational needs, continuing availability of funds, and satisfactory job performance.