Academic Graduate Appointee - Translational Immunology

Company Description
Join us and make YOUR mark on the World!
Are you interested in joining some of the brightest talent in the world to strengthen the United States’ security? Come join Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) where our employees apply their expertise to create solutions for BIG ideas that make our world a better place.
We are committed to a diverse and equitable workforce with an inclusive culture that values and celebrates the diversity of our people, talents, ideas, experiences, and perspectives. This is essential to innovation and creativity for continued success of the Laboratory’s mission.
Pay Range
$5,380 - $7,372 Monthly
Please note that the pay range information is a general guideline only. Many factors are taken into consideration when setting starting pay including education, experience, the external labor market, and internal equity.
Job Description
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 Appointeeparticipating 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.

Qualifications

• 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.

Additional Information
All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.
Position Information
This is a one-year Academic Graduate Appointee, open to those who have been awarded a degree at the time of the employment offer.
Why Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory?

• Included in 2024 Best Places to Work by Glassdoor!
• Flexible Benefits Package
• 401(k)
• Relocation Assistance
• Education Reimbursement Program
• Flexible schedules (*depending on project needs)
• Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accountability (IDEA) - visit https://www.llnl.gov/diversity
• Our core beliefs - visit https://www.llnl.gov/diversity/our-values
• Employee engagement - visit https://www.llnl.gov/diversity/employee-engagement

Security Clearance
None required. However, if your assignment is longer than 179 days cumulatively within a calendar year, you must go through the Personal Identity Verification process. This process includes completing an online background investigation form and receiving approval of the background check. (This process does not apply to foreign nationals.)
Pre-Employment Drug Test
External applicant(s) selected for this position must pass a post-offer, pre-employment drug test. This includes testing for use of marijuana as Federal Law applies to us as a Federal Contractor.
How to identify fake job advertisements
Please be aware of recruitment scams where people or entities are misusing the name of Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) to post fake job advertisements. LLNL never extends an offer without a personal interview and will never charge a fee for joining our company. All current job openings are displayed on the Career Page under “Find Your Job” of our website. If you have encountered a job posting or have been approached with a job offer that you suspect may be fraudulent, we strongly recommend you do not respond.
To learn more about recruitment scams: https://www.llnl.gov/sites/www/files/2023-05/LLNL-Job-Fraud-Statement-Updated-4.26.23.pdf
Equal Employment Opportunity
We are an equal opportunity employer that is committed to providing all with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, marital status, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, medical condition, pregnancy, protected veteran status, age, citizenship, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws.
We invite you to review the Equal Employment Opportunity posters which include EEO is the Law and Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision.
Reasonable Accommodation
Our goal is to create an accessible and inclusive experience for all candidates applying and interviewing at the Laboratory. If you need a reasonable accommodation during the application or the recruiting process, please use our online form to submit a request.
California Privacy Notice
The California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) grants privacy rights to all California residents. The law also entitles job applicants, employees, and non-employee workers to be notified of what personal information LLNL collects and for what purpose. The Employee Privacy Notice can be accessed here.