Job Description
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. Employees must remain in their current position for one year before applying for a new position, with the exception of student interns. Application of this requirement will not supersede collective bargaining agreements. See collective bargaining labor agreements for represented bidder eligibility requirements for represented employees. : 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. : Sandia demonstrates its commitment to public safety in the national interest by requiring that all new hires attest to their vaccination status before commencing employment. The requirement also applies to those who are telecommuting and working virtually. Any concerns about the ability to meet this requirement should be directed to HR Solutions at (505) 284-4700. : Are you looking to do creative and worthwhile research and to perform innovative research in bioinformatics and data science? Do you want to increase your engagement with research that protects the population from emerging infectious diseases and prepares us to respond to future threats? Sandia’s Computational Biology and Biophysics department is seeking a highly dedicated and hardworking postdoctoral appointee in Computational Biology/Bioinformatics to develop machine learning and mathematical models of viral evolution in an effort to facilitate development of new assays and powerful antiviral therapies against epidemic/pandemic viruses such as Ebola and SARS-CoV-2. The selected applicant will develop and implement computational approaches to predicting and characterizing viral mutations that alter host-pathogen interactions and influence transmission, virulence, and immune evasion. On any given day, you may be called on to: + Participate in the national response to pandemic and emerging biothreats + Develop and implement machine learning and mathematical models to predict outcomes of viral sequence mutations + Help inform assay development to characterize host-pathogen interactions to test against multiple virus models + Mentor technologists and interns + Work to implement, monitor and refine project plans with a coordinated multidisciplinary team that may include bioinformaticians, mathematicians, computer scientists and virologists from national labs, universities and industry + Publish scientific papers in peer-reviewed journals and present findings at seminars and conferences
Required:
+ PhD in bioinformatics, mathematics, computer science, machine learning and artificial intelligence, biology with an emphasis on computation and predictive biology, or related field + Bioinformatics or computational biology skills and familiarity with related software tools for analysis of next-generation sequencing data + Proven ability to conduct and communicate creative, independent research and a record of high technical accomplishment as evidenced by publication in high-impact scientific journals and presentations at national/international conferences
Desired:
+ Experience analyzing DNA and protein sequence data using machine learning and/or artificial intelligence and/or mathematical modeling approaches + Experience with natural language processing + Some background and strong interest in virology, microbiology, epidemiology and related fields + Experience in statistical experimental design, particularly in designing experiments to fill in missing data to improve machine learning models + Experience in mathematical modeling of complex biological systems + Experience in high-throughput assay development and next generation sequencing
Department Description:
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 advance computational methods, to solve national security problems in biology. We conduct research in advanced RAMAN spectroscopy, hyperspectral imaging, enzymatic lignin valorization, biomimetic membrane design, the design of synthetic microbial consortia for biological breakdown and conversion of biological materials to valuable chemicals and fuels, and machine learning for the development of algal pond consortia. 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.
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: www.sandia.gov*These benefits vary by job classification.
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 Statement:
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.
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.
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