Berkeley Lab's (LBNL) Molecular Biophysics and Integrated Bioimaging Division (MBIB) has an opening for a Postdoctoral Fellow to develop computational methods and software for protein structure determination.

In this exciting role, you will develop new mathematical approaches and computational algorithms to investigate protein conformational states from cryo-electron microscopy (Cryo-EM) experiments, including single-particle imaging and cellular tomography. This work will involve research and development of new hybrid methods that combine deep generative modeling, traditional optimization-based methods, numerical linear algebra, and Fourier analysis.

The goals include writing a pipeline for automated atomic modeling of heterogeneous structures from cryo-EM data using Phenix model building tools and developing methods for dealing with incomplete data and structure completion. You will work with a data analysis team for image analysis and the Phenix team for model building aspects. This position will require implementation and testing of software on simulated and experimental data, organization of results for presentations to team members and to the scientific community and preparing results for publication in scientific journals.

This position has an anticipated start date of August 1, 2025.

What You Will Do:

• Develop and implement computational algorithms for structure determination using cryo-electron microscopy including:

• Generative modeling of conformational heterogeneity in electron microscopy.

• Data-driven methods that use machine learning for reconstructing non-rigid deformations.

• Algorithms for automated alignment of single-particle and/or electron tomography data.

• Theory and optimization techniques for tackling noise, missing data, and completion of models.

• Automated pipelines for data analysis, structure completion, and model validation.

• Apply new algorithms to enable high-resolution 3D reconstructions of biomolecules from cellular tomographic data.

• Publish scientific papers in high-impact journals and present findings at seminars and conferences.

• Maintain documentation of theory, derivations, software, and results.

• Contribute to discussions on the determination of future directions.

• Prepare results, figures, and write-ups for research/grant proposals.

What is Required:

• A recent Ph.D. (within the last 1-2 years) in Computational Biophysics/Physics, Computational Cryo-Electron Microscopy, Applied Mathematics, Computer Science, or a related discipline.

• Demonstrated experience developing computational algorithms and numerical methods for solving inverse problems in imaging, including iterative reconstruction for microscopy and regularization techniques.

• Experience with generative models, variational inference, physics informed machine learning, and coding in Python and PyTorch.

• Demonstrated knowledge of electron microscopy, numerical linear algebra, optimization techniques, and Fourier analysis.

• Strong organizational skills including experience maintaining detailed and accurate records of experiment results and analyzed data.

• Excellent oral and written communication skills including experience organizing/presenting technical reports and publications in cryo-electron microscopy or closely related fields.

• Demonstrated interpersonal skills including experience conducting experiments independently and collaborating with a diverse interdisciplinary research team.

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience coding in C/C++/Fortran and version control tools.

• Experience with software development for high-performance computing (i.e., openMPI, openMP, and GPU).

• Interest in extending scientific computing to new imaging problems.

Notes:

• Application Deadline: For full consideration, please apply with a curriculum vitae (CV) or resume and a cover letter describing your interest by June 30, 2025.

• Appointment Type: This is a full time, exempt from overtime pay (monthly paid), 2 year (benefits eligible), Postdoctoral Fellow appointment with the possibility of renewal based upon satisfactory job performance, continuing availability of funds, and ongoing operational needs. You must have less than 3 years of paid postdoctoral experience. This position is represented by a union for collective bargaining purposes.

• Salary Information: The monthly salary range for this position is $7,828 - $8,742 and is expected to start at $7,828 or above. Postdoctoral positions are paid on a step schedule per union contract and salaries are predetermined based on postdoctoral step rates. Each step represents one full year of completed post-Ph.D. postdoctoral and/or related research experience.

• Background Check: This position may be subject to a background check. Any convictions will be evaluated to determine if they directly relate to the responsibilities and requirements of the position. Having a conviction history will not automatically disqualify an applicant from being considered for employment.

• Work Modality: This position will be performed onsite at Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA 94720. Starting May 7, a REAL ID or other acceptable form of identification is required to access Berkeley Lab sites (for more information click here).

Want to learn more about working at Berkeley Lab? Please visit: careers.lbl.gov

Equal Employment Opportunity Employer: The foundation of Berkeley Lab is our Stewardship Values: Team Science, Service, Trust, Innovation, and Respect; and we strive to build community with these shared values and commitments. Berkeley Lab is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We heartily welcome applications from all who could contribute to the Lab's mission of leading scientific discovery, excellence, and professionalism. In support of our rich global community, all qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories under State and Federal law.

Berkeley Lab is a University of California employer. It is the policy of the University of California to undertake affirmative action and anti-discrimination efforts, consistent with its obligations as a Federal and State contractor.

Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct, are currently being investigated for misconduct, left a position during an investigation for alleged misconduct, or have filed an appeal with a previous employer.