Postdoctoral Research Associate in Protein Engineering Applied to Synthetic Biology

About the role

The B-IOME group within the Bioscience Division at Los Alamos National Laboratory leads diverse research projects in microbial and community engineering for applications across biomanufacturing, biomining, environmental remediation, and human health. As a Postdoctoral Research Associate, you will collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to develop and apply cutting‑edge tools for computational protein design and high‑throughput screening, generating robust experimental datasets to power machine‑learning models and accelerate the Design‑Build‑Test‑Learn (DBTL) cycle. The position is based onsite in Los Alamos, NM.

Responsibilities

• Design and engineer proteins with tailored catalytic efficiency, enhanced thermal/chemical stability, or targeted ligand and metal‑binding selectivities.
• Express and characterize engineered proteins in non‑model microbial hosts to evaluate their functional performance in biological systems.
• Work collaboratively with computational biologists, molecular biologists, and strain engineers to advance national security and bioeconomy missions.

Requirements

• In‑depth knowledge of protein biochemistry, including recombinant expression, purification, structural biophysics, and biochemical characterization.
• Demonstrated understanding of enzyme kinetics, ligand/metal‑binding mechanisms, protein stability determinants, and sequence‑structure‑function relationships.
• Hands‑on experience developing or applying computational protein design tools and/or high‑throughput assay frameworks (e.g., cell‑free systems, biosensors, or display technologies) to generate structured datasets.
• A strong record of scientific productivity (e.g., peer‑reviewed publications, conference talks) and the ability to work effectively in an interdisciplinary team environment.
• Ph.D. in Biological Sciences, Bioengineering, Structural Biology, Synthetic Biology, Biochemistry, Biophysics, or a closely related discipline, awarded within the last 5 years (or completed prior to start date).

Qualifications

• Experience with computational protein design suites (e.g., Rosetta, ProteinMPNN, RFdiffusion), molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, and the application or development of AI/deep learning tools (e.g., protein language models, AlphaFold) for structure prediction and protein engineering.
• Hands‑on experience constructing combinatorial protein or strain libraries and deploying high‑throughput screening technologies (e.g., yeast or bacterial display, FACS, or microfluidics/droplet‑based assays).
• Demonstrated proficiency in quantitative genotype‑to‑phenotype mapping, high‑throughput sequence‑activity analysis, and preparing structured experimental datasets for training machine‑learning models.
• Background in engineering allosteric or chimeric biosensors (e.g., transcription‑factor‑ or fluorescent‑protein‑based) for high‑throughput enzyme evolution, strain screening, or environmental monitoring.
• Proven scientific productivity as evidenced by at least two first‑authored research articles in peer‑reviewed journals, along with significant contributions to a review article or a book chapter.

Benefits

• PPO or High Deductible medical insurance with the same large nationwide network
• Dental and vision insurance
• Free basic life and disability insurance
• Paid childbirth and parental leave
• Award‑winning 401(k) (6% matching plus 3.5% annually)
• Learning opportunities and tuition assistance
• Flexible schedules and time off (PTO and holidays)
• Onsite gyms and wellness programs
• Extensive relocation packages (outside a 50‑mile radius)

Schedule

On site 40 hr a week, either under 5/40 or 9/80 schedule.