Senior Protein Design Data Scientist

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

$140,700 - $178,392 Annually for the SES.2 level
$168,780 - $214,032 Annually for the SES.3 level

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.

We have an opening for a Team lead or Co-lead for protein library data design, analysis, and dissemination. This role requires an interdisciplinary approach, including knowledge of data science, machine learning, and biological data. You will have a leading role in external and internal library efforts. You will provide leadership and fully-contextualized decision-making toward effective, efficient, and rapid library data generation. You will coordinate with internal and external stakeholders, including both short-term operational stakeholders and longer-term research stakeholders, particularly in machine learning; external and internal partners who perform the laboratory work to create and assay the properties of these libraries; and the data science, structural biology and other contributors who will be led in this broader effort. All of these components must be undertaken in the service of and in coordination with broader efforts. This position is in the Computational Engineering Division (CED), within the Engineering Directorate.

This position will be filled at either level based on knowledge and related experience as assessed by the responsibilities (outlined below) will be assigned if hired at the higher level.

You will

• Contribute, participate, and work in coordination with partners and stakeholder teams to continue and expand:
  • the generation of library data;
  • the analysis and design of library data;
  • the dissemination of library data  
  • the development of mature, effective workflows for library design in appropriate use cases
• Work under limited direction using independent judgment to provide solutions to problems of moderate complexity.
• Respond dynamically to unique, unexpected needs in library design by using creativity with established and/or creative methods.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Additional job responsibilities, at the SES.3 level

• Provide overall technical leadership and guidance and serve as primary point of contact for library design.
• Provide solutions to complex problems using in-depth analysis and collaborate in the development of innovative methods/technology.
• Contribute to the definition and articulation of strategy for library data in the context of wider LLNL efforts to generate effective predictors for protein properties.

• PhD in Biology, Engineering, Computer Science, or related fields, or the equivalent combination of education and related experience.
• Comprehensive knowledge of, and previous experience with conversancy of proteins, protein structure, bioinformatics, experimental library generation, assays, sequencing, sorting, and other relevant biological domain knowledge.
• Comprehensive knowledge of, and previous experience with with data science, statistics, and machine learning.
• Programming skills in  Python including experience with collaborative development environments and practices.
• Knowledge of appropriate software for bioinformatics and structural biology.
• Proficient communication skills and demonstrated effectiveness in multidisciplinary settings, including a strong record of documentation of executed work.
• Ability to prioritize, balance, and keep several parallel threads of work in simultaneous, smooth motion.

Additional qualifications at the SES.3 level:

• Significant experience leading interdisciplinary teams,  including setting clear expectations, delegating to subordinates and peers, and ensuring successful, timely completion of objectives.
• Demonstrated ability and experience managing many parallel threads of work in simultaneous, smooth motion, in coordination with and leading a team of several employees.
• Ability to engage and negotiate with stakeholder input; dynamically reprioritize in response to resulting decisions.
• Advanced verbal and written communication skills necessary to effectively collaborate in a team environment and present and explain technical information and provide advice to management.

Qualifications We Desire

• Advanced level programming and data science skills, including demonstrated strong programming skills in Python.
• Knowledge of DNA synthesis techniques, library design, assembly, and deep sequencing.
• Advanced level knowledge of and previous experience with advanced protein machine learning techniques, such as AlphaFold, ESM, and RFDiffusion.
• Strong understanding of fundamental statistical and machine learning principles that underpin successful training of models with effective generalization capabilities, as well as experimental design..
• Strong understanding of the current state of the field of computational protein design, as well as the strategic implications of this understanding on LLNL efforts.

#LI-Hybrid

Position Information

This is a Career Indefinite position, open to Lab employees and external candidates.

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.

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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. 

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