Protein Bioinformatics - Postdoctoral Researcher

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory; Livermore (CA); Hybrid; USD 122,000 - 143,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation Assistance

Education Reimbursement Program

Flexible schedules

401(k)

Job summary

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) invites applications for a Postdoctoral Researcher to advance computational structural biology and predict protein-protein interactions in host-pathogen systems. Work includes leveraging RoseTTAFold3, AlphaFold3, and ESMFold2 with large sequence datasets, building novel approaches, and publishing results.

You will join an interdisciplinary team, present findings, and occasionally travel to collaborate with external partners.

Qualifications

• PhD in Life Sciences, Computational Biology, Bioinformatics, or a related technical or scientific field.
• Experience with protein sequence and structure.
• Strong knowledge and research experience in bioinformatics and protein structure modeling.
• Ability to work independently on defined research projects and collaborate in a diverse team.
• Programming experience with Python; proficient in UNIX and HPC environments.
• Ability to publish peer‑reviewed research.
• Ability to travel as necessary.

Responsibilities

• Conduct research and design sequence/structure based bioinformatic tools for protein-protein interaction predictions.
• Interpret biological systems through protein structure prediction.
• Develop computational frameworks and analysis tools for sequence/structure data.
• Create structure-based distillation datasets to aid ML model development.
• Collaborate with external partners (universities, industry, other labs) to advance simulations.
• Prepare progress reports, analyses, and briefings for sponsors.

Skills

Python programming

UNIX/HPC

Bioinformatics

Protein structure modeling

Independent research

Travel willingness

Education

PhD in Life Sciences / Computational Biology / Bioinformatics

Tools

RoseTTAFold3

AlphaFold3

ESMFold2

Job description

Company Description

Join us and make YOUR mark on the World!

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) has turned bold ideas into world-changing impact advancing science and technology to strengthen U.S. security and promote global stability.

Our mission spans four critical national security areas nuclear deterrence, threat preparedness, energy security, and multi-domain defense empowering teams to take on the toughest challenges of today and tomorrow. With a culture built on innovation and operational excellence, LLNL is a place where your expertise can make a real impact.

Job Description

Wehave an opening for a highly motivated Postdoctoral Researcher to conduct research in computational structural biology and develop bioinformatic methods for predicting protein-protein interactions in host-pathogen systems using evolutionary and structural information.

Current structure prediction tools, such as RoseTTAFold3, AlphaFold3, and ESMFold2, excel at monomeric structure prediction and at predicting known protein complexes. However, these tools struggle to identify which proteins interact and which do not. Residue-residue coevolution can be leveraged to predict interactions within organisms, but these signals are challenging to extract for interactions between organisms. You will build and leverage large protein sequence datasets to enable accurate interaction prediction and apply these methods to identify novel biological systems.

You will be an integral member of an interdisciplinary, cross-institutional team working with computational biologists and experimental biologists. You will leverage existing computational tools and develop new approaches for predicting binary interactions, interaction specificity, and protein structure. You will regularly present your work and publish your research findings, including through occasional travel to collaborate with external partners and attend conferences. This position is in the Computational Engineering Division (CED), within the Engineering Directorate

Depending on your assignment, this position may offer a hybrid schedule, blending in-person and virtual presence. You may have the flexibility to work from home one or more days per week.

In this role, you will

• Conduct research, and contribute to designing, analyzing, and extending sequence and structure based bioinformatic tools to develop databases that will enable protein-protein interaction predictions.
• Interpret new/understudied biological systems through protein structure prediction.
• Contribute to the development of protein sequence and structure computational frameworks and analysis tools.
• Develop structure-based distillation datasets for team members to improve ML model development.
• Collaborate with external partners (Universities, Industry, other National Laboratories) to advance computational biology simulation efforts.
• Prepare complex and detailed progress reports, written analyses, and verbal briefings to support project needs and deadlines and to present research results to sponsors.
• Independently pursue the development of new and innovative research methods relevant to the needs of Laboratory programs and/or external funding agencies.
• Contribute to proposals and statements of work.
• Publish research results in peer-reviewed scientific or technical journals and present results at external conferences, seminars, and/or technical meetings.
• Travel as needed to coordinate with research collaborators and to attend external meetings and conferences.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• PhD in Life Sciences, Computational Biology, Bioinformatics, or a related technical or scientific field.
• Experience working with protein sequence and structure.
• Strong knowledge and research experience in bioinformatics and protein structure modeling.
• Ability to work independently on defined research projects, as well as a member of a team with a diverse set of scientists, engineers, and other technical and administrative staff.
• Programming experience with Python and expertise with UNIX and high-performance computing environments.
• Ability to develop independent research projects as demonstrated through publication of peer-reviewed manuscripts.
• Ability to travel as necessary.

Qualifications We Desire

• Strong understanding of protein bioinformatics (sequence and structure), protein structure prediction, and/or protein function prediction.
• Experience with DL structure prediction tools (RF3, AF3, ESMFold2).
• Experience in collaborating with experimental biologists.

Pay Range

$122,028 - $143,328 Annually

This is the lowest to highest salary in good faith 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.

Additional Information

#LI-Hybrid

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?

• Included in 2026Best Places to Work by Glassdoor!
• FlexibleBenefits Package
• 401(k)
• Relocation Assistance
• Education Reimbursement Program
• Flexible schedules (*depending on project needs)
• Our values - visithttps://www.llnl.gov/inclusion/our-values

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.

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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.

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