Postdoctoral Researcher

The Burlacot Lab in the Biosphere Sciences and Engineering Division at the Carnegie Institution for Science is seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate. We are a dynamic and collaborative team that leads research on photosynthetic CO 2 fixation to build a more sustainable future. The laboratory uses genetic and biophysical tools to understand the energy balance of photosynthetic algae at the cellular level and how we might be able to optimize it for improving the sustainability of our societies.

Under the supervision of Dr. Adrien Burlacot, and in collaboration with all laboratory members, you will develop the next generation of single-cell phenotyping tool in the model green algae Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. You will investigate how photosynthetic electron transport mechanisms function in response to dynamic environment and how genetic variations explain it. To this aim, you will use high-end microscopy and develop in house biophysical measurements of photosynthesis at the single cell level and combine them with the latest single cell technology.

 You will supervise trainees and students in the lab. Like all other lab members, you will contribute to general housekeeping tasks that ensure the smooth functioning of the lab.

The position is based in Dr. Adrien Burlacot’s lab and will involve strong collaborations with laboratories at Caltech, including the microscopy facility, the Resnick Center, and the Kavli Nanoscience Institute. Members of the Burlacot lab are all supported in their career development, and you will be mentored regularly in this aspect. If you have any related questions, we strongly encourage you to contact former trainees, all of whom are listed on the lab’s website.

The position is fully funded and comes with competitive benefits, including healthcare support and retirement.

Position Duties

• Develop a microscopy tool that can identify photosynthetic capacity at the single-cell level using the published literature.
• Develop a new design of single-cell absorbance spectroscopy to expand the ability of single-cell measurements.
• Combine it with single cell sequencing technologies developed on the Caltech campus
• Lead and contribute to research papers to be published in the peer-reviewed literature.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Bioengineering, Biophysics, Physics or related field.
• Proven track record of research productivity.
• Experience exploring questions at the singe cell level.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Previous experience with biophysical measurements of photosynthesis-related processes is preferred
• Experience in using and/or developing microfluidic chips is a plus but not required.
• Previous experience with microalgae is a plus, but not necessary.