Biologist

Overview

At PNNL, our core capabilities are divided among major departments that we refer to as Directorates within the Lab, focused on a specific area of scientific research or other function, with its own leadership team and dedicated budget.

Our Science & Technology directorates include National Security, Earth and Biological Sciences, Physical and Computational Sciences, and Energy and Environment. In addition, we have an Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory, a Department of Energy, Office of Science user facility housed on the PNNL campus.

The Environmental Molecular Sciences Division is comprised of 18 interdisciplinary research teams focused on deciphering molecular‑level interactions driving biological and environmental processes across temporal and spatial scales. Through computational analysis and modeling, these findings contribute to predictive understanding of how systems respond to environmental perturbations thus enabling solutions to the nation’s energy, environmental, and human health challenges. The division also manages the Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory, a DOE Office of Science user facility housed on the PNNL campus that accelerates the research of scientists around the world by providing access to world‑class expertise, instrumentation, and computational resources.

This is an onsite position in Richland, Washington.

The Earth and Biological Sciences Directorate (EBSD) leads novel and necessary research in three core areas:
Atmospheric and Climate Sciences, Biological Sciences, and Environmental Molecular Sciences. The contributions of EBSD staff are many as we continue to elevate the impact of PNNL's science mission: to understand, predict, and control the complex adaptive systems underlying the science behind Earth, energy, and security.

As a Biologist 3, you will conduct research on the fundamental principles of microbial, plant, and animal life—including their origin, anatomy, and function. You will collect and analyze biological data to understand how organisms interact with their environments, with a focus on structure, function, and behavior.

In this role, you will:

• Collaborate with internal teams and external partners on multidisciplinary research projects.
• Communicate complex scientific findings through clear written reports, oral presentations, and peer‑reviewed publications tailored to diverse audiences.
• Uphold rigorous laboratory safety and compliance standards, ensuring all experimental activities meet PNNL protocols and DOE requirements.

You will also contribute to advancing autonomous experimentation and high‑throughput phenotyping in support of DOE BER and EMSL User Program objectives. This includes:

• Developing innovative approaches to accelerate biological research.
• Partnering with automation engineers to design and implement automated workflows for strain engineering, cultivation, and phenotyping.
• Leveraging robotics and integrated data systems to enhance experimental throughput and efficiency.

• Microbiology
  :
  Investigates the growth, structure, development, and other characteristics of microscopic organisms at both the molecular and cellular level, as well as their ecology and function as mixed communities.
• Plant Science
  :
  Studies the breeding, physiology, production, yield, and management of crops and agricultural plants or trees.
• Genetics/Molecular Biology
  :
  Studies and redesigns the genetic system of organisms. Understanding and engineering the function of an organism at the genetic level including the expression of those genes into functioning RNAs and proteins and response to intracellular and extracellular stimuli.
• Field Biology/Ecology
  :
  Conducts research on land, in air, and water, studying plant, animal, and bird behavior in natural ecosystems.

Minimum Qualifications:

• BS/BA and 5+ years of relevant experience – OR –
• MS/MA and 3+ years of relevant experience – OR –
• PhD with 1+ year of relevant experience

Preferred Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in Microbiology, Synthetic Biology, Bioengineering, Microbial Genetics, Chemical Engineering, or a related field.
• Expertise in microbial molecular biology and cell…