Microfluidic Sample Processing - Postdoctoral Researcher

Company Description

Join us and make YOUR mark on the World!

Are you interested in joining some of the brightest talent in the world to strengthen the United States’ security? Come join Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) where our employees apply their expertise to create solutions for BIG ideas that make our world a better place.

We are committed to a diverse and equitable workforce with an inclusive culture that values and celebrates the diversity of our people, talents, ideas, experiences, and perspectives. This is important for continued success of the Laboratory’s mission.

Pay Range

 

$108,600 – $126,720 Annually

Please note that the pay range information is a general guideline only. Many factors are taken into consideration when setting starting pay including education, experience, the external labor market, and internal equity.

Job Description

We have an opening for a Postdoctoral Researcher to join a diverse team that specializes in developing innovative microfluidic platforms for Sample Processing and sorting. You will work with a multi-disciplinary team involving biologists, chemists, physicists, and engineers to develop novel devices and techniques for purification, separation, and sorting of biological and environmental samples. The work will be integrated into a larger pipeline aimed at detecting, analyzing, and evaluating emerging biological targets. Key tasks will include the design of new microfluidic devices, fabrication via conventional and additive manufacturing-based methods, and conducting experiments to evaluate performance. This position is in the Materials Engineering Division (MED) within the Engineering Directorate.

In this role you will

• Conduct research into developing novel processes to perform separations using microfluidic devices.
• Design and conduct experiments to evaluate microfluidic device performance and iterate chip design through literature review, fundamental simulation/modeling, and experimental testing.
• Integrate microfluidic devices with other components of a larger sample analysis pipeline.
• Organize, analyze, and present data from research at seminars, technical meetings, and conferences.
• Pursue independent (but complementary) research interests and interact with a broad spectrum of scientists internally and externally to the Laboratory.
• Author scientific publications and patent applications.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• PhD degree in Mechanical Engineering, Bioengineering, Electrical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Physics, or a related field.
• Ability to be hands-on in the design, fabrication, and process development of microfluidic devices and systems.
• Experience in using microfluidics to perform separations or other similar Sample Processing steps.
• Experience in microfluidic device design using AutoCAD or similar software.
• Ability as an innovative experimentalist with a broad range of experience in experimental design, techniques, and execution.
• Proficient verbal and written communication skills, as well as a demonstrated ability to present technical information and effectively collaborate in a multidisciplinary team environment.
• Ability to complete independent research projects, as evidenced by publications in peer-reviewed scientific journals.

Qualifications We Desire

• Ability to conduct detailed multiphysics simulations combining fluid dynamic, electrical, and mass transport analysis within COMSOL or other CFD packages.
• Experience fabricating microfluidic devices using additive manufacturing techniques.
• Basic knowledge and understanding of electrical circuitry, devices, and how to perform electrical device modification and/or development.
• Clean room microfabrication experience.
• Fundamental understanding of programming languages and software suites (C++, Python, Matlab).
• Experience designing printed circuit boards (PCB’s) and general knowledge of PCB manufacturing methods.

Additional Information

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

Position Information

This is a Postdoctoral appointment with the possibility of extension to a maximum of three years, open to those who have been awarded a PhD at time of hire date.

Why Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory?

• Flexible Benefits Package
• 401(k)
• Relocation Assistance
• Education Reimbursement Program
• Flexible schedules (*depending on project needs)
• Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accountability (IDEA) - visit https://www.llnl.gov/diversity
• Our core beliefs - visit https://www.llnl.gov/diversity/our-values 
• Employee engagement - visit https://www.llnl.gov/diversity/employee-engagement

Security Clearance

None required.  However, if your assignment is longer than 179 days cumulatively within a calendar year, you must go through the Personal Identity Verification process.  This process includes completing an online background investigation form and receiving approval of the background check.  (This process does not apply to foreign nationals.) 

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.

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.

We invite you to review the Equal Employment Opportunity posters which include EEO is the Law and Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision.

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.