Purpose:

The Biosciences Division (BSD) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) is focused on advancing science and technology to better understand complex biological systems and their relationship with the environment. BSD has expertise and special facilities in genomics, computational biology, microbiology, microbial ecology, biophysics and structural biology, and plant sciences. Research experiments include large-scale laboratory, greenhouse and field experimental data acquisition, management, organization, and analysis to derive insight and hypotheses suitable for further experimental validation and to improve researchers’ ability to further advance understanding of biological systems.

The Biosciences Division at Oak Ridge National Laboratory is seeking a biochemical engineer with expertise in the engineering and expression of diverse enzymes and enzyme libraries. The ideal candidate will take responsibility for protein expression to support a diverse group of projects, including construct design, site-directed or site-saturation mutagenesis, cloning, cell-free protein expression, and/or protein purification. The candidate will collaborate with a broad range of researchers, including computational scientists, microbiologists, and analytical experts. Technical professionals provide essential experimental expertise to independently solve a variety of technical challenges and support multiple research projects needs. These multi-disciplinary and multi-institutional projects require a team-oriented, collaborative spirit.

Major Duties

and Responsibilities

• Design and execute experiments to meet the goals of multiple scientific projects
• Use expertise to develop and implement approaches for engineering and expressing diverse enzymes and enzyme libraries
• Set-up and operate laboratory automation systems for processing various biological materials
• Interface directly with internal and external partners in various disciplines
• Participate in project planning and execution
• Maintain detailed and accurate records
• Acquire and process results in keeping with project scheduling
• Assist with data management, visualization, and interpretation
• Assist with project management activities
• Mentor less experienced staff members, students, or interns
• Maintain a culture of continued learning
• Take a position of leadership for day-to-day laboratory operations while addressing ORNL’s environmental health and safety requirements
• Maintain strong dedication to the implementation and perpetuation of values and ethics

Qualifications

Required qualifications:

• An undergraduate or graduate degree in chemical engineering, biochemical engineering, chemistry, biochemistry, biology, or a related field

• Expertise with cloning and protein library construction
• Expertise with protein expression and purification
• Experience with laboratory automation, particularly liquid handling instruments
• Ability to independently solve a variety of technical challenges related to automating the expression and characterization of proteins
• Excellent written and oral communication skills and the ability to communicate in English to a scientific audience.
• Desire to work both independently and collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary team.

Preferred qualifications:

• Experience with enzyme engineering/directed evolution
• Experience with cell-free expression systems
• Experience designing and executing analytical experiments (e.g., LC-MS, GC-MS, NMR)
• Experience working simultaneously on multiple scientific projects

This position is a permanent, full-time appointment, contingent on successful performance and continued funding. 

For additional information please see: 
-Biosciences at ORNL: http://www.ornl.gov/sci/ees/bsd/ 
-Or contact Josh Michener, michenerjk@ornl.gov

This position will remain open for a minimum of 5 days after which it will close when a qualified candidate is identified and/or hired.

We accept Word (.doc, .docx), Adobe (unsecured .pdf), Rich Text Format (.rtf), and HTML (.htm, .html) up to 5MB in size. Resumes from third party vendors will not be accepted; these resumes will be deleted and the candidates submitted will not be considered for employment.

If you have trouble applying for a position, please email ORNLRecruiting@ornl.gov.