NOTE: This is a one-year Academic Graduate Appointee with the possibility of extension to a maximum of two years. For important information about LLNL appointments refer to the FAQs above.
We have up to two openings for an Academic Graduate Appointee participating in developing novel approaches and platforms in support of synthetic biology research emphasizing cell-free protein production methodologies and vaccine development. The candidate will work in a highly integrated environment as part of a multi-disciplinary team to develop, optimize, characterize, and validate cell-free protein synthesis (CFPS) methods for protein production and encapsulation. Proteins will be used for high throughput functional and biophysical characterization in support of vaccine development. This position is in the Biology and Biotechnology Division, Translational Immunology Group.
In this role you will:
- Produce, characterize, and test CFPS lysates.
- Design, perform, and analyze cell-free protein expression experiments to test and develop protocols and procedures for producing and characterizing novel membrane bound proteins.
- Encapsulate CFPS lysates in a variety of polymers and characterize protein production in capsules as well as capsule stability.
- Contribute to the design of and carry out experiments involving molecular biology techniques, including biochemical tests using fluorescence-based techniques to characterize proteins of interest.
- Troubleshoot initial results and perform protein assay development using molecular biological techniques as needed.
- Keep an accurate and detailed laboratory notebook and maintain complete records of experiments and contribute to general lab maintenance.
- Compile data and protocols in Microsoft Office programs (Excel, Word, Powerpoint)
- Perform all assignments in accordance with ES&H, security, and business practice requirements and policies.
- Perform duties as assigned.
- B.S. in biological sciences or equivalent course work (within two years of application).
- Experience working with gel electrophoresis, western blot, and other common molecular biology techniques.
- Experience with aseptic technique, microbial cultures, and protein purification.
- Interpersonal and communication skills to effectively work in a team environment with a diverse technical staff.
- Strong attention to detail and ability to follow standard laboratory protocols and ES&H safety procedures.
- Experience using personal computers, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint applications.
Qualifications we desire:
- Design genes and constructs for molecular cloning using PCR, restriction enzymes, plasmids, and common bacterial chassis
- Experience with DNA extraction including minipreps, maxipreps, gel extraction, and PCR purification.
- Experience with cell-free protein production approaches.
- Experience with culturing bacteria and other microorganisms.
- Experience with purifying and handling proteins.