What You Will Do The B-IOME group within the Bioscience Division at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) leads diverse research projects in microbial and community engineering for applications across biomanufacturing, biomining, environmental remediation, and human health. As a Postdoctoral Research Associate in our group, you will collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to develop and apply cutting-edge tools for computational protein design and high-throughput screening. Your primary focus will be generating robust, high-quality experimental datasets to power machine learning models and accelerate the Design-Build-Test-Learn (DBTL) cycle. Specifically, you will: Design and engineer proteins with tailored catalytic efficiency, enhanced thermal/chemical stability, or targeted ligand and metal-binding selectivities. Express and characterize engineered proteins in non-model microbial hosts to evaluate their functional performance in biological systems. Work collaboratively with computational biologists, molecular biologists, and strain engineers to advance national security and bioeconomy missions.

What You Need Minimum Job Requirements:

Protein Engineering & Biochemistry:

In-depth knowledge of protein biochemistry, including recombinant expression, purification, structural biophysics, and biochemical characterization.

Enzymology & Structure-Function Relationships:

Demonstrated understanding of enzyme kinetics, ligand/metal-binding mechanisms, protein stability determinants, and sequence-structure-function relationships.

Tool Deployment & Experimental Design:

Hands-on experience developing or applying computational protein design tools and/or high-throughput assay frameworks (e.g., cell-free systems, biosensors, or display technologies) to generate structured datasets.

Communication & Collaboration:

A strong record of scientific productivity (e.g., peer-reviewed publications, conference talks) and the ability to work effectively in an interdisciplinary team environment.

Training/Certifications:

N/A Education/Experience:

Ph.D. in Biological Sciences, Bioengineering, Structural Biology, Synthetic Biology, Biochemistry, Biophysics, or a closely related discipline, awarded within the last 5 years (or completed prior to start date).

Desired Qualifications:

Two or more qualifications as described below is highly recommended.

Computational Protein Design & AI/ML:

Experience with computational protein design suites (e.g., Rosetta, ProteinMPNN, RFdiffusion), molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, and the application or development of AI/deep learning tools (e.g., protein language models, AlphaFold) for structure prediction and protein engineering.

Library Generation & High-Throughput Screening:

Hands-on experience constructing combinatorial protein or strain libraries and deploying high-throughput screening technologies (e.g., yeast or bacterial display, FACS, or microfluidics/droplet-based assays).

Genotype-Phenotype Mapping & Data Science:

Demonstrated proficiency in quantitative genotype-to-phenotype mapping, high-throughput sequence-activity analysis, and preparing structured experimental datasets for training machine learning models.

Biosensor Engineering & Directed Evolution:

Background in engineering allosteric or chimeric biosensors (e.g., transcription-factor- or fluorescent-protein-based) for high-throughput enzyme evolution, strain screening, or environmental monitoring.

Publication Track Record:

Proven scientific productivity as evidenced by at least two first-authored research articles in peer-reviewed journals, along with significant contributions to a review article or a book chapter.

Work Environment:

Work Location:

The work location for this position is onsite and located in Los Alamos, NM. All work locations are at the discretion of management.

Work Schedule:

On site 40 hr a week, either under 5/40 or 9/80 schedule Note to

Applicants:

To receive full consideration, applicants must submit the following materials:

Cover Letter:

A 1- to 2-page letter detailing your research background, specific expertise, and alignment with the position's requirements. The letter should clearly articulate how your technical skills and scientific interests fit within the B-IOME group's mission. Curriculum Vitae (CV): A comprehensive CV highlighting your educational background, research experience, technical skills, publication and patent record, honors/awards, and evidence of leadership or mentoring activities. References (added at the end of CV): Contact information (name, title, institution, email, and phone number) for three professional referees who can speak to your scientific capabilities and collaborative skills. Due to federal restrictions contained in the current National Defense Authorization Act, citizens of the People's Republic of China-including the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau-as well as citizens of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea), and the Russian Federation, who are not Lawful Permanent Residents ("green card" holders) are prohibited from accessing facilities that support the mission, functions, and operations of national security laboratories and nuclear weapons production facilities, which includes Los Alamos National Laboratory. Where You Will Work Located in beautiful northern New Mexico, Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is a multidisciplinary research institution engaged in strategic science on behalf of national security.

Our generous benefits package includes:

PPO or High Deductible medical insurance with the same large nationwide network Dental and vision insurance Free basic life and disability insurance Paid childbirth and parental leave Award-winning 401(k) (6% matching plus 3.5% annually) Learning opportunities and tuition assistance Flexible schedules and time off (PTO and holidays) Onsite gyms and wellness programs Extensive relocation packages (outside a 50 mile radius) Additional Details Directive 206.2 - Employment with Triad requires a favorable decision by NNSA indicating employee is suitable under NNSA Supplemental Directive 206.2. Please note that this requirement applies only to citizens of the United States. Foreign nationals are subject to a similar requirement under DOE Order 142.3A.

No Clearance :

Position does not require a security clearance. Selected candidates will be subject to drug testing and other pre-employment background checks.

New-Employment Drug Test:

The Laboratory requires successful applicants to complete a new-employment drug test and maintains a substance abuse policy that includes random drug testing. Although New Mexico and other states have legalized the use of marijuana, use and possession of marijuana remain illegal under federal law. A positive drug test for marijuana will result in termination of employment, even if the use was pre-offer.

Internal Applicants :

Regular appointment employees who have served the required period of continuous service in their current position are eligible to apply for posted jobs throughout the Laboratory. If an employee has not served the required period of continuous service, they may only apply for Laboratory jobs with the documented approval of their Division Leader. Please refer to Policy Policy P701 for applicant eligibility requirements.

Equal Opportunity :

Los Alamos National Laboratory is an equal opportunity employer. All employment practices are based on qualification and merit, without regard to protected categories such as race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status or spousal affiliation, physical or mental disability, medical conditions, pregnancy, status as a protected veteran, genetic information, or citizenship within the limits imposed by federal, state, and local laws and regulations. The Laboratory is also committed to making our workplace accessible to individuals with disabilities and will provide reasonable accommodations, upon request, for individuals to participate in the application and hiring process. To request such an accommodation, please send an email to applyhelp@lanl.gov or call (505)-664-6947. Instructions on How to Activate/ Create a

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