Job Description

About Sandia: Sandia National Laboratories is the nation’s premier science and engineering lab for national security and technology innovation, with teams of specialists focused on cutting-edge work in a broad array of areas. Some of the main reasons we love our jobs: + Challenging work with amazing impact that contributes to security, peace, and freedom worldwide + Extraordinary co-workers + Some of the best tools, equipment, and research facilities in the world + Career advancement and enrichment opportunities + Flexible work arrangements for many positions include 9/80 (work 80 hours every two weeks, with every other Friday off) and 4/10 (work 4 ten-hour days each week) compressed workweeks, part-time work, and telecommuting (a mix of onsite work and working from home) + Generous vacations, strong medical and other benefits, competitive 401k, learning opportunities, relocation assistance and amenities aimed at creating a solid work/life balance* World-changing technologies. Life-changing careers. Learn more about Sandia at: http://www.sandia.gov*These benefits vary by job classification. What Your Job Will Be Like: Are you looking to do creative and meaningful research at the intersection of biology and computational science? Do you want to engage in research that supports the development of bioscience and engineering? Sandia’s Biotechnology and Bioengineering Department is seeking a highly dedicated and innovative Postdoctoral Appointee to join the Bioscience team in Livermore, California. The selected candidate will develop and evaluate machine learning algorithms for a variety of tasks, which may include associating sequence variation with downstream detection success. They will work on multi-disciplinary teams with a wide range of experts to conduct state-of-the-art research in biology, computational science, and engineering. The chosen individual will have the opportunity to be on the leading edge of computational science and biotechnology research and development to better prepare for emerging, evolving, and engineered biothreats. On any given day, you may be called on to: + Work with physics- and chemistry-based modeling experts to develop strategies for extracting and engineering features + Develop data science tools for analyzing and interpreting biological data + Devise innovative computational or machine learning approaches for predictive biology applications + Mentor technologists and interns + Work collaboratively to execute, track, and refine project goals with a multidisciplinary team that may include members from other national labs, universities, and industry + Communicate research by publishing scientific papers in peer-reviewed journals and presenting findings at seminars and conferences + Contribute to new research proposals The Postdoctoral Appointee works onsite in California. The salary is set for this position at $104,900 annually. Qualifications We Require: + PhD in computational biology, bioinformatics, computer science, machine learning, artificial intelligence, bioengineering, or related field with an emphasis on building, evaluating, or applying predictive models + Programming knowledge, including scripting in a widely-used languages (e.g., Python, R, C++, MySQL) + Record of technical accomplishments, strong written and verbal communication skills, and data synthesis skills as evidenced by publication in high impact scientific journals and/or scientific conference presentations Qualifications We Desire: + Familiarity with machine learning and bioinformatics tools + Experience using statistics and data science for biological applications + Molecular biology/microbiology skills (e.g., PCR, nucleic acid extraction, immunoassays, bacteria culture) About Our Team: The Biotechnology and Bioengineering Department, located in Livermore, CA, performs both basic and applied biological and bioengineering research with broad applications in national security, biodefense, health security, climate, and energy security. Our research in virology, microbiology, immunology and bioinformatics, is addressed by advanced technology development including CRISPR/Cas technologies, antibody engineering, advanced omics, synthetic biology, and advanced materials, and nanotechnology. Our department is integrated into the highly multidisciplinary Applied Biosciences and Engineering Group, comprised of researchers with expertise in many disciplines of biology (molecular biology, microbiology, virology, immunology, biochemistry), chemistry (analytical, organic, physical), computational science (bioinformatics, machine learning, computational chemistry), and engineering (chemical, mechanical, biomedical). Posting Duration: This posting will be open for application submissions for a minimum of seven (7) calendar days, including the ‘posting date’. Sandia reserves the right to extend the posting date at any time. Security Clearance: This position does not currently require a Department of Energy (DOE) security clearance. Sandia will conduct a pre-employment drug test and background review that includes checks of personal references, credit, law enforcement records, and employment/education verifications. Furthermore, employees in New Mexico need to pass a U.S. Air Force background screen for access to Kirtland Air Force Base. Substance abuse or illegal drug use, falsification of information, criminal activity, serious misconduct or other indicators of untrustworthiness can cause access to be denied or terminated, resulting in the inability to perform the duties assigned and subsequent termination of employment. If hired without a clearance and it subsequently becomes necessary to obtain and maintain one for the position, or you bid on positions that require a clearance, a pre-processing background review may be conducted prior to a required federal background investigation. Applicants for a DOE security clearance need to be U.S. citizens. If you hold more than one citizenship (i.e., of the U.S. and another country), your ability to obtain a security clearance may be impacted. Members of the workforce (MOWs) hired at Sandia who require uncleared access for greater than 179 days during their employment, are required to go through the Uncleared Personal Identity Verification (UPIV) process. Access includes physical and/or cyber (logical) access, as well as remote access to any NNSA information technology (IT) systems. UPIV requirements are not applicable to individuals who require a DOE personnel security clearance for the performance of their SNL employment or to foreign nationals. The UPIV process will include the completion of a USAccess Enrollment, SF-85 (Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions) and OF-306 (Declaration of for Federal Employment). An unfavorable UPIV determination will result in immediate retrieval of the SNL issued badge, removal of cyber (logical) access and/or removal from SNL subcontract. All MOWs may appeal the unfavorable UPIV determination to DOE/NNSA immediately. If the appeal is unsuccessful, the MOW may try to go through the UPIV process one year after the decision date. EEO: All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status and any other protected class under state or federal law. NNSA Requirements for MedPEDs: If you have a Medical Portable Electronic Device (MedPED), such as a pacemaker, defibrillator, drug-releasing pump, hearing aids, or diagnostic equipment and other equipment for measuring, monitoring, and recording body functions such as heartbeat and brain waves, if employed by Sandia National Laboratories you may be required to comply with NNSA security requirements for MedPEDs. If you have a MedPED and you are selected for an on-site interview at Sandia National Laboratories, there may be additional steps necessary to ensure compliance with NNSA security requirements prior to the interview date. Position Information: This postdoctoral position is a temporary position for up to one year, which may be renewed at Sandia's discretion up to five additional years. The PhD must have been conferred within five years prior to employment. Individuals in postdoctoral positions may bid on regular Sandia positions as internal candidates, and in some cases may be converted to regular career positions during their term if warranted by ongoing operational needs, continuing availability of funds, and satisfactory job performance. Job ID: 692382

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.