Research Assistant

at  Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

Berkeley Lab’s (LBNL) Joint Genome Institute (JGI) has an opening for a Research Assistant to join the NewLeaf Symbiotics Strategic Partnership, a new microbiome strategic partnership project. The research will characterize methanotrophic bacteria and their beneficial interactions with rice plants in reducing methane emissions and promoting plant growth.
In this exciting role, you will assist with running established protocols that will enable microbiome sequencing, metabolic analysis, and maintain plant and bacterial cultures in plant-microbe experiments within a laboratory and greenhouse setting. You will perform routine laboratory techniques including plant-microbe bioassays and extracting DNA for sequencing.
The JGI’s mission is to provide the global research community with access to the most advanced integrative genome science capabilities in support of the DOEs research mission to solve the world’s evolving energy and environmental challenges. The JGI supports projects in genome sequencing, synthesis, transcriptomics, metabolomics, and natural products in plants, fungi, algae, and microorganisms.
This position has an anticipated start date of September 1, 2024.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• A Bachelor’s Degree (or equivalent knowledge/training) in Biology, Microbiology, Biochemistry, Bioinformatics, or a related field.
• Experience with standard bioinformatics tools and databases.
• Effective interpersonal skills including the ability to work autonomously and as part of a diverse interdisciplinary collaborative team.

LEARN ABOUT US:

Berkeley Lab (LBNL) addresses the world’s most urgent scientific challenges by advancing sustainable energy, protecting human health, creating new materials, and revealing the origin and fate of the universe. Founded in 1931, Berkeley Lab’s scientific expertise has been recognized with 16 Nobel prizes. The University of California manages Berkeley Lab for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Science.
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• Culture bacteria using aseptic techniques.
• Prepare media and pour plates.
• Maintain plants in greenhouse or growth chambers.
• Assist with DNA extraction, PCR, and other basic molecular biology techniques.
• Assist with preparing samples for metabolomic analysis.
• Assist with plant-microbe experiments using developing protocols.
• Perform routine laboratory techniques including the collection and processing of data.
• Keep a detailed laboratory notebook and upload data in relevant databases.
• Participate in research group meetings.
• Support maintenance of laboratory working environment, including maintaining consumable supplies, chemical inventories, antibiotic stocks, and maintaining reusable glassware supplies.