Join us and make YOUR mark on the World!

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) has turned bold ideas into world-changing impact advancing science and technology to strengthen U.S. security and promote global stability. 

Our mission spans four critical national security areas nuclear deterrence, threat preparedness, energy security, and multi-domain defense empowering teams to take on the toughest challenges of today and tomorrow. With a culture built on innovation and operational excellence, LLNL is a place where your expertise can make a real impact.

We have an opening for a Research Scientist to contribute to synthetic biology, protein engineering, and microbial biotechnology research within the Synthetic Biology group in the Biosciences and Biotechnology Division. The successful candidate will join a multidisciplinary team developing novel, designed proteins and microbes for national security applications, including critical material recovery, under the direction of Dan Park and Sean Leonard.

Working under limited direction, the successful candidate will perform moderately complex experimental assignments, use independent judgment to select and adapt established methods, analyze results, troubleshoot experimental issues, and recommend improvements to workflows Candidates should have an interest in learning new skills and techniques and applying them to solve real-world scientific problems that inform the use of these technologies for both government and commercial applications.

This position requires full-time on-site presence due to the nature of the work.

In this role you will:

• Perform library-scale molecular cloning, plasmid preparation, bacterial transformation, and sequence verification in E. coli and non-model microbes.
• Execute and optimize high-throughput assays to evaluate protein or microbial performance.
• Express, purify, and characterize proteins using standard biochemical and chromatographic techniques.
• Contribute to general laboratory operations, including media and reagent preparation, equipment maintenance, inventory management, waste disposal, and laboratory organization.
• Analyze and interpret experimental data to identify trends, troubleshoot discrepancies, and recommend refinements to subsequent experiments. Maintain accurate laboratory notebooks and electronic records, prepare data summaries, and effectively communicate experimental results with project team members.
• Contribute to the development, revision, and documentation of laboratory protocols and standard operating procedures, as assigned.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor's degree in Synthetic Biology, Molecular Biology, Microbiology, Biochemistry, Bioengineering, Biological Sciences, or a related field or an equivalent combination of education and related experience.
• Experience with standard molecular biology techniques, including PCR, gel electrophoresis, DNA assembly/cloning, plasmid preparation, and bacterial transformation.
• Experience culturing and maintaining bacterial strains using sterile technique.
• Experience with recombinant protein expression and purification.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary research environment.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills necessary to document procedures, present results, and collaborate with technical staff.

Qualifications we desire:

• Experience with synthetic biology tools and workflows, including, Gibson Assembly, Golden Gate Assembly, or related DNA assembly methods.
• Experience with high-throughput screening, laboratory automation, or microbial strain engineering in E. coli or non-model microbes.
• Familiarity with protein characterization techniques, chromatography, or biochemical assays.
• Experience with fermentation, microbial process development, or bioprocess scale-up.
• Experience with preparing DNA libraries for short- and long- read sequencing.
• Experience with bioinformatic tools for DNA sequence analysis, including experience working at the command line (Bash/ZSH) and/or a common scripting language (R/Python).

Pay Range

$146,340 - $185,544 annually

This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting; pay will not be below any applicable local minimum wage.  An employee’s position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, specific competencies, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, geographic location, performance, and business or organizational needs.

#LI-Onsite

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

Position Information

This is a Flexible Term appointment, which is for a definite period not to exceed six years.  If final candidate is a Career Indefinite employee, Career Indefinite status may be maintained (should funding allow).

Why Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory?

• Included in 2026 Best Places to Work by Glassdoor!
• Flexible Benefits Package
• 401(k)
• Relocation Assistance
• Education Reimbursement Program
• Flexible schedules (*depending on project needs)
• Our values - visit https://www.llnl.gov/inclusion/our-values

Security Clearance

This position requires a Department of Energy (DOE) Q-level clearance.  If you are selected, we will initiate a Federal background investigation to determine if you meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information or matter. Also, all L or Q cleared employees are subject to random drug testing.  Q-level clearance requires U.S. citizenship. 

Pre-Employment Drug Test

External applicant(s) selected for this position must pass a post-offer, pre-employment drug test. This includes testing for use of marijuana as Federal Law applies to us as a Federal Contractor.

Wireless and Medical Devices

Per the Department of Energy (DOE), Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory must meet certain restrictions with the use and/or possession of mobile devices in Limited Areas. Depending on your job duties, you may be required to work in a Limited Area where you are not permitted to have a personal and/or laboratory mobile device in your possession.  This includes, but not limited to cell phones, tablets, fitness devices, wireless headphones, and other Bluetooth/wireless enabled devices.  

If you use a medical device, which pairs with a mobile device, you must still follow the rules concerning the mobile device in individual sections within Limited Areas.  Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities require separate approval. Hearing aids without wireless capabilities or wireless that has been disabled are allowed in Limited Areas, Secure Space and Transit/Buffer Space within buildings.

How to identify fake job advertisements

Please be aware of recruitment scams where people or entities are misusing the name of Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) to post fake job advertisements. LLNL never extends an offer without a personal interview and will never charge a fee for joining our company. All current job openings are displayed on the Career Page under “Find Your Job” of our website. If you have encountered a job posting or have been approached with a job offer that you suspect may be fraudulent, we strongly recommend you do not respond.

To learn more about recruitment scams: https://www.llnl.gov/sites/www/files/2023-05/LLNL-Job-Fraud-Statement-Updated-4.26.23.pdf

Equal Employment Opportunity

We are an equal opportunity employer that is committed to providing all with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, marital status, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, medical condition, pregnancy, protected veteran status, age, citizenship, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws.

Reasonable Accommodation

Our goal is to create an accessible and inclusive experience for all candidates applying and interviewing at the Laboratory.  If you need a reasonable accommodation during the application or the recruiting process, please use our online form to submit a request. 

California Privacy Notice

The California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) grants privacy rights to all California residents. The law also entitles job applicants, employees, and non-employee workers to be notified of what personal information LLNL collects and for what purpose. The Employee Privacy Notice can be accessed here.