Job Description

What Your Job Will Be Like:

Intern - Bacterial Genomics and Computational Biology, R&D Undergrad Year Round

Are you looking to do creative research that addresses civilizations’ major challenges such as climate change and infectious disease? Would you be excited to work in a multidisciplinary team, interacting with world class scientists across multiple national labs and universities?

Sandia California’s Systems Biology Department is seeking bioinformaticians/computational biologists to join our research team. The selected applicant will engage in fundamental work improving the characterization of mobile elements and horizontal gene transfer across bacteria, and help develop applied technologies derived from this knowledge base such as new synthetic biology and gene editing methods and vectors, and advanced phage therapy. Remote work is acceptable, with adequate communication.

On any given day, you may be called on to:

• Work remote with hybrid options
• Devise innovative computational approaches to expand and annotate the world’s largest well-curated database of microbial genomic islands
• Work collaboratively to execute, track and refine project plans with an integrated multidisciplinary team that may include members from national labs, universities and industry
• Contribute to communicating your research through writing scientific papers

Qualifications We Require:

You bring the confidence and skills to be eligible for the job by meeting these minimum requirements:

• Currently attending and enrolled full time in an accredited undergraduate program
• Pursuing a science, engineering, or math major
• Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0/4.0
• Ability to work up to 25 hours per week during the academic year, and up to 40 hours per week during the summer
• U.S. citizen, asylee, refugee, or lawful permanent resident of the U.S.

Qualifications We Desire:

• Major in bioinformatics or computational biology, or, in biochemistry, microbiology, evolutionary biology or a related field coupled with strong experience in bioinformatics or computational biology. Alternatively, a major in computer or information sciences with an academic foundation in biology and strong interest in developing bioinformatics skills.
• Strong scripting skills (e.g., knowledge of python or Perl)
• A strong background in microbiology, including studies of microbiomes, genome evolution, microbial communities and bacteriophages.
• Bioinformatics skills and familiarity with related software tools for phylogenetics, comparative genomics, genome assembly and genome annotation.
• Familiarity with Linux and slurm job launching
• Experience with genome engineering and synthetic biology
• Computational biology skills.
• Familiarity with prokaryotic genomics, genetics and molecular biology.

Protein Engineering Postdoctoral Appointee Careers

Posting Duration:

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.

About Our Team:

The Systems Biology Department, located in Livermore, California is a diverse research group with a focus on both basic and applied biological research. We seek to address problems with strong ties to national security, including as biodefense and health security, and climate and energy security. We do this using innovative research approaches in microbiology, virology, synthetic biology, immunology, and bioinformatics. We incorporate advanced technology development including CRISPR/Cas technologies, advanced omics, and advanced materials and nanotechnology. We also seek to develop the science-based needed to produce clean, efficient, and cost-effective biofuels and other bioproducts on a commercial scale. Our department is part of the highly multidisciplinary Applied Biosciences and Engineering Group, comprised of researchers with expertise in many disciplines of biology (molecular biology, microbiology, virology, immunology and biochemistry), chemistry (analytical, organic and physical), computational science (bioinformatics, machine learning, computational chemistry), and engineering(chemical, mechanical and biomedical).

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: http://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:

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.

NNSA Requirements for MedPEDs:

If you have a Medical Portable Electronic Device (MedPED), such as a pacemaker, defibrillator, drug-releasing pump, hearing aids, or diagnostic equipment and other equipment for measuring, monitoring, and recording body functions such as heartbeat and brain waves, if employed by Sandia National Laboratories you may be required to comply with NNSA security requirements for MedPEDs.

If you have a MedPED and you are selected for an on-site interview at Sandia National Laboratories, there may be additional steps necessary to ensure compliance with NNSA security requirements prior to the interview date.

Job ID: 693000

Job Family: 91

Regular/Temporary Position: T

Full/Part-Time Status: P

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.