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 in computational and mathematical biology, machine learning, cheminformatics and bioinformatics? Do you want to increase your engagement with researchers from a wide variety of backgrounds, including virology, mathematics, computer science and therapeutics? Sandia's Systems Biology Department is seeking highly dedicated and innovative Postdoctoral Appointee to join its Bioscience Division in Livermore, California. The Postdoctoral Appointee will develop algorithms for identifying interpretable patterns in data from genomes and proteomes and their associated interaction networks, protein structures and their complexes with other proteins and chemical compounds, protein evolution and engineering experiments and epidemiological studies. We seek an individual with proficiency in computational data analytics, and machine learning, mathematical modeling and structural biology. The chosen candidate will work on multi-disciplinary projects with a wide range of experts to conduct state-of-the-art R&D collaboratively in biology, bioinformatics, and engineering. Sandia has a dynamic biological research mission that addresses important national security challenges. Sandia’s research aims to provide biological solutions to critical challenges in energy and homeland security. On any given day, you may be called on to: + Devise innovative computational and bioinformatics approaches to analyze and interpret multi-omics data + Work with mathematicians and computer scientists to develop mathematical models of biological systems + Collaborate with experimental biologists and molecular modeling experts to generate physics-based models of biological systems, perform simulations of biological systems and develop strategies for extracting and engineering features for machine learning applications + Mentor technologists and interns + Work collaboratively to execute, track and refine project plans with an integrated multi-disciplinary team that may include members from national labs, universities, and industry + Communicate your research through writing scientific papers, publishing in peer-reviewed journals, and presenting findings at seminars and conferences + Work to execute, monitor, and refine project plans and proposals The Postdoctoral Appointee works onsite in California. The salary is set for this position at $104,900 annually. Qualifications We Require: + Ph.D. in computational biology, bioinformatics, cheminformatics, biophysics, computer science, machine learning, artificial intelligence, or related STEM field + Experience with omics in genetics, virology, epidemiology, structural biology and/or molecular biology + Programming and informatics skills and experience with machine learning software such as Scikit-Learn, Keras, TensorFlow or similar tools for developing predictive models + Proven record of high technical accomplishment and written communication (e.g., as evidenced by publication in high-impact scientific journals) and/or strong verbal communication and data presentation skills Qualifications We Desire: + Bioinformatics skills and familiarity with related software tools + Strong background in statistics, machine learning and data science with applications to biological data analysis (e.g., from next-generation sequencing or high-throughput screening methods, structural biology, cheminformatics) + Familiarity with protein structure prediction tools (e.g., AlphaFold, Rosetta) and physics-based molecular simulation tools + Strong programming and database skills (e.g., Python, R, Matlab, C++, MySQL) About Our Team: Sandia's Computational Biology and Biophysics Department supports biodefense, emerging infectious disease and biofuels mission areas. The department has core capabilities in bioinformatics, machine learning, bioimaging, molecular modeling and the cybersecurity of biological operations. The focus of the department is in developing innovative research, using advanced computational methods, to solve national security problems in biology. We conduct research in machine learning for material discovery, development of data-science tools for prediction for bio threats, machine learning for algal cultivation optimization, developing bioinformatics tools for NGS analysis, enzymatic lignin valorization, biomimetic membrane design and, the design of synthetic microbial consortia for biological breakdown and conversion of biological materials to valuable chemicals and fuels. This research is supported by the National Institutes of Health, Bioenergy Technologies Office, Biological and Environmental Research, Basic Energy Sciences, the Department of Defense, Defense Threat Reduction Agency, DOE Energy I-Corps, the Center for Integrated Nanotechnologies, Academia, Industry, Department of Health and Human Services and Sandia's Laboratory Directed Research and Development program. 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: 692398

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.