Translational Immunology - Academic Graduate Appointee

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 essential to innovation and creativity for continued success of the Laboratory’s mission.

Pay Range

$5,380 - $7,372 Monthly

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

NOTE: This is a one-year Academic Graduate Appointee with the possibility of extension to a maximum of two years. For important information about LLNL appointments refer to the FAQs above.

We have one opening for an Academic Graduate Appointee to support projects focused on developing novel nanoparticle-based vaccines against various bacterial and viral pathogens. The candidate will work in a highly integrated environment as part of a multi-disciplinary team to develop, optimize, characterize, and validate nanoparticle-based vaccine formulations. This position will include the production and characterization of protein antigens and nanoparticle constituents. This position is in the Biology and Biotechnology Division, Translational Immunology Group.

In this role you will:

• Express, purify, and characterize proteins of high purity required for in vivo applications;
• Prepare, purify, and characterize nanoparticle platforms tailored for different vaccine formulations and vaccination routes;
• Use instrumentation to characterize purity, size, and homogeneity of biomolecules;
• Support routine immunological assays to assess vaccine formulations;
• Keep an accurate and detailed laboratory notebook and maintain complete records of experiments;
• Contribute to general lab maintenance, management of waste streams, and ordering/inventory of lab supplies;
• Compile data and protocols in Microsoft Office programs (Excel, Word, PowerPoint);
• Perform all assignments in accordance with ES&H, security, and business practice requirements and policies;
• Perform duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• B.S. or B.A. in biological sciences or equivalent course work (within two years of application);
• Experience with aseptic technique, microbial cultures, and protein purification;
• Interpersonal and communication skills to effectively work in a team environment with a diverse technical staff;
• Strong attention to detail and ability to follow standard laboratory protocols and ES&H safety procedures;
• Experience using personal computers, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint applications.

Qualifications we desire:

• Experience with routine laboratory processes, including preparation of buffers;
• Experience working with gel electrophoresis, western blot, and other common molecular biology techniques;
• Experience with DNA extraction including minipreps, maxipreps, gel extraction, and PCR purification;
• Experience with culturing bacteria, including transformation and plating;
• Experience with liquid chromatography instrumentation;
• Experience with handling and characterizing proteins.

Additional Information

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

Position Information

This is a one-year Academic Graduate Appointee, open to those who have been awarded a degree at the time of the employment offer.

Why Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory?

• Included in 2024 Best Places to Work by Glassdoor!;
• 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.

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.

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.