Organizational Overview

Brookhaven National Laboratory is entering an exciting new chapter with one of the newest and most advanced synchrotron facilities in the world. National Synchrotron Light Source II (NSLS-II) enables the study of material properties and functions with nanoscale resolution and exquisite sensitivity by providing world-leading capabilities for X-ray imaging and high-resolution energy analysis.

This facility is open to users from academia and industry and its operations are at a time when the world enters a new era with a global economy fueled largely by scientific discoveries and technological innovations. NSLS-II provides the research tools needed to foster new discoveries and create breakthroughs in critical areas such as energy security, environment, and human health.

Position Description

NSLS-II has an opening for a post-doc to participate in multi-disciplinary development of new tools to facilitate sequence-to-function discovery. BNL is the home to several state-of-art research facilities, including synchrotron beamlines at NSLS-II (https://www.bnl.gov/ps/lifesciences/), cryo-EM at the new Laboratory for BioMolecular Structures (LBMS, https://www.bnl.gov/cryo-em/), and computation at the Computer Science Initiative (CSI, https://www.bnl.gov/compsci/). We have initiated a project, with participation from investigators from Biology Department, CSI, LBMS and NSLS-II, to develop integrative data analysis to maximize the impact of the data collected at the BNL facilities. More specifically, computation and modeling will be used to help put in context multi-scale data from different experimental methods, including crystallography, solution scattering, and cryo-EM. Working with other team members, the candidate will carry out proof-of-concept research using a series of pre-selected test cases, including determining mechanistic understanding for a novel nucleotide-dependent fungal zinc transferase involved in protein biogenesis and studying the dynamics of heme-zinc cooperativity in a newly discovered cyanobacterial heme protein. This work will help establish standard workflows that will become more broadly applicable to user projects at NSLS-II and LBMS. The long-term goal is to eventually establish a new research center that interfaces external users with the research capabilities at BNL. This position is a two-year term. Extension to a third year is possible.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Protein production and purification
• Prepare samples for experiments
• Perform experiments using beamlines and cryo-EM
• Analyze data using existing tools and help develop new tools
• Publish results

Position Requirements

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ph.D. in molecular biology or a related field
• Molecular structural determination using crystallography or cryo-EM
• Manuscript writing and demonstrated track record of publication
• Demonstrated ability to work in a diverse team environment

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Experience with solution scattering
• Experience with integrative data analysis that involve data from multiple experimental techniques

BNL policy requires that research associate appointments be made to individuals who have received their doctorate within the past five years.

At Brookhaven National Laboratory we believe that a comprehensive employee benefits program is an important and meaningful part of the compensation employees receive. Our benefits program includes, but is not limited to:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Care Plans
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Paid Time-off and Leave Programs (vacation, holidays, sick leave, paid parental leave)
• 401(k) Plan
• Flexible Work Arrangements
• Tuition Assistance, Training and Professional Development Programs
• Employee Fitness/Wellness & Recreation:  Gym/Basketball Courts, Weight Room, Fitness Classes, Indoor Pool, Tennis Courts, Sports Clubs/Activities (Basketball, Ping Pong, Softball, Tennis)

Brookhaven National Laboratory and the Energy and Photon Sciences Directorate are committed to your success. We offer a supportive work environment and the resources necessary for you to succeed.

Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) is an equal opportunity employer committed to ensuring that all qualified applicants receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, status as a veteran, disability or any other federal, state or local protected class.

BNL takes affirmative action in support of its policy and to advance in employment individuals who are minorities, women, protected veterans, and individuals with disabilities.