Postdoctoral Research Associate in Microbe-Mineral Interactions

NSLS-II is a state-of-the-art synchrotron facility providing world-class X-ray imaging and spectroscopy capabilities. The Bioimaging Team works at the interface of biology, chemistry, and environmental science, leveraging cutting-edge instrumentation to resolve biological processes at nanometer to micron scales.

This position offers access to advanced beamlines, high-performance computing resources, and collaborative opportunities with national laboratory scientists and external scientists.

Position Description:

The Bioimaging Team at the National Synchrotron Light Source II (NSLS-II) invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research Associate to investigate microbe-mineral interactions with a focus on critical minerals.

This position offers a unique opportunity to integrate advanced synchrotron-based imaging and spectroscopy with multi-omics approaches (genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics) to uncover molecular mechanisms governing microbial transformations of critical minerals in natural and engineered systems.

The successful candidate will join an interdisciplinary team of scientists working at the forefront of bioimaging and environmental systems science.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Design and conduct experiments to elucidate microbial interactions with critical mineral phases under environmentally relevant conditions

• Investigate transcriptomic and genomic responses to fungi-mineral interactions for nutrient uptake

• Apply synchrotron-based techniques (e.g., X-ray fluorescence microscopy, XANES/EXAFS,) to characterize mineral speciation, spatial distributions, and microbe-mineral interfaces.

• Integrate imaging and omics datasets to identify molecular pathways involved in mineral solubilization, biomineralization, sorption, and redox transformations

• Publish results in peer-reviewed journals and present findings at scientific conferences.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ph.D. in Molecular Biology, Genetics, Plant Biology or a closely related field

• Demonstrated experience in omics approaches, including:

  • Genomics and transcriptomics

  • Proteomics (sample preparation, LC-MS/MS, data interpretation)

• Experience with bioinformatics tools

• Strong record of peer-reviewed publications

• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary environment

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Experience with synchrotron-based techniques or advanced microscopy.

• Experience integrating multi-modal datasets (omics + imaging/spectroscopy).

• Programming experience (e.g., Python, R, or similar tools for data analysis

Additional Information:

• Candidates must have received a Ph.D. by the commencement of employment.
• BNL policy requires that after obtaining their PhD, eligible candidates for research associate appointments may not exceed a combined total of 5 years of relevant work experience as a post-doc and/or in an R&D position, excluding time associated with family planning, military service, illness or other life-changing events.
• Initial 2-year term appointment subject to renewal based on performance and funding.
• Brookhaven Laboratory is committed to providing fair, equitable and competitive compensation. The full salary range for this position is $78,000 - $100,000/ year. You will be placed at the level and salary commensurate with your experience. Salary offers will be commensurate with the final candidate’s qualification, education and experience and considered with the internal peer group.

Brookhaven National Laboratory is committed to employee success and we believe that a comprehensive employee benefits program is an important and meaningful part of the compensation employees receive. Review more information atBNL | Benefits Program

Brookhaven National Laboratory requires all non-badged personnel including visitors to produce a REAL-ID or REAL-ID compliant documentation to access Brookhaven National Laboratory - view more information at www.bnl.gov/real-id. This is due to nationwide identification requirements for federal site access as required by the federal REAL ID Act. Those not in possession of a REAL ID-compliant document will not be permitted to access the site which includes access to the Laboratory for interviews.

As a U.S. Department of Energy laboratory, Brookhaven National Laboratory requires employees to obtain and maintain a DOE Uncleared Personal Identity Verification (UPIV) credential in accordance with Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) requirements. The credentialing process is completed as part of onboarding and enables access to DOE facilities and information systems. As a condition of employment, the selected candidate must be able to obtain and maintain a UPIV credential. These requirements are established under DOE Order 206.2 Chg. 2, Identity, Credential, and Access Management (ICAM- Identity, Credential, and Access Management (ICAM)), and DOE Order 473.1A- Physical Protection Program- Physical Protection Program.

About Us

Brookhaven National Laboratory (www.bnl.gov) delivers discovery science and transformative technology to power and secure the nation’s future. Brookhaven Lab is a multidisciplinary laboratory with seven Nobel Prize-winning discoveries, 37 R&D 100 Awards, and more than 70 years of pioneering research. The Lab is primarily supported by the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Science. Brookhaven Science Associates (BSA) operates and manages the Laboratory for DOE. BSA is a partnership between Battelle and The Research Foundation for the State University of New York on behalf of Stony Brook University. BSA salutes our veterans and active military members with careers that leverage the skills and unique experience they gained while serving our country, learn more at BNL | Opportunities for Veterans at Brookhaven National Laboratory.

Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer

Guided by our core values of integrity, responsibility, innovation, respect, and teamwork, Brookhaven Science Associates is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer-Vets/Disabled. We are committed to fostering a respectful and collaborative environment that fuels scientific discovery. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to any characteristic protected by law. All qualified individuals are encouraged to apply. We ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation. *VEVRAA Federal Contractor

BSA employees are subject to restrictions related to participation in Foreign Government Talent Recruitment Programs, as defined and detailed in United States Department of Energy Order 486.1A. You will be asked to disclose any such participation at the time of hire for review by Brookhaven. The full text of the Order may be found at: https://www.directives.doe.gov/directives-documents/400-series/0486.1-BOrder-a/@@images/file