2025 PhD Graduate - Metabolic and Biomanufacturing Process Post Doctoral Fellow

Metabolic and Biomanufacturing Process Post Doctoral Fellow

Do you marvel at the complexity of metabolism and seek to leverage natural metabolisms in creative ways to develop new technologies? 

Do you want to apply your expertise in biomanufacturing process engineering to pressing National Security challenges? 

Do you love contributing your microbial metabolic engineering subject matter expertise to an interdisciplinary team of scientists, focused on developing novel applications? 

If you answered yes to these questions, we're looking for someone like you to join our team in the Biological Sciences Group, here at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Lab. 

We are seeking a highly motivated Metabolic and Biomanufacturing Process Post Doctoral Fellow to contribute to a team focused on engineering microbial metabolic pathways and optimizing biomanufacturing processes, including upstream and downstream processing.   

As part of the Biological Sciences Group, in the Research Exploratory Development Department, you will be at the forefront of APL's mission to provide impactful contributions to critical challenges. You will contribute to building outstanding expertise in molecular biology, in the pursuit of challenges in national security.

As a Metabolic and Biomanufacturing Process Engineering Post Doctoral Fellow you will...

• Advance existing efforts in metabolic and biomanufacturing process engineering, including metabolic reprogramming of non-model species, biomanufacturing process optimization, and product purification.
• Be an advocate for your discipline and champion the utility of metabolic and biomanufacturing process engineering in new projects across APL.
• Build new application spaces for metabolic and biomanufacturing process engineering, driving technical innovation and growth in areas relevant to APL sponsors.
• Support study design, execution, and data analysis as a technical leader.
• Communicate key findings both internally across teams and externally to sponsors.
• Work on a interdisciplinary and highly collaborative team to achieve the success of APL’s mission.

You meet our minimum qualifications for the job if you...

• Have a PhD in Molecular Biology, Biology, Biological Engineering, or a similar field with 1-4 years of experience in a laboratory setting.
• Have extensive wet lab experience manipulating the metabolism of microbes and experience in scaling metabolite synthesis and purification.​​​​​
• Demonstrated expertise in molecular biology techniques, including DNA manipulation and plasmid construction, qPCR, protein analysis, plate-reader assay development, microscopy techniques, and microbial cell culture.  
• Demonstrated expertise in designing, executing, and troubleshooting a wide range of biological assays. ​​​​​​​
• Strong communication and collaboration skills and the ability to lead and contribute to teams from any position.
• Are able to obtain a Top Secret/SCI level security clearance. If selected, you will be subject to a government security clearance investigation and must meet the requirements for access to classified information. Eligibility requirements include U.S. citizenship.​​​​​​​

You'll go above and beyond our minimum requirements if you...

• Have experience working with non-lab adapted or anaerobic microbes, such as Rhodopseudomonas palustris and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
• Have experience working with bio-electronic experimental systems for many various applications such as microbial electrosynthesis (MES).
• Have experience with yeast, plant, algae, or microbiome systems.​​​​​​​​​
• Have a familiarity with analytical chemistry techniques and equipment including: HPLC, GC/MS, or LC/MS.

Why Work at APL?

The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) brings world-class expertise to our nation’s most critical defense, security, space and science challenges. While we are dedicated to solving complex challenges and pioneering new technologies, what makes us truly outstanding is our culture. We offer a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere where you can bring your authentic self to work, continue to grow, and build strong connections with inspiring teammates.

At APL, we celebrate our differences of perspectives and encourage creativity and bold, new ideas. Our employees enjoy generous benefits, including a robust education assistance program, unparalleled retirement contributions, and a healthy work/life balance. APL’s campus is located in the Baltimore-Washington metro area. Learn more about our career opportunities at http://www.jhuapl.edu/careers.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, creed, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, occupation, marital or familial status, political opinion, personal appearance, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. APL is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals of all abilities, including those with disabilities. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in any part of the hiring process, please contact Accommodations@jhuapl.edu.

The referenced pay range is based on JHU APL’s good faith belief at the time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as geographic location, work experience, market conditions, education/training and skill level with consideration for internal parity. For salaried employees scheduled to work less than 40 hours per week, annual salary will be prorated based on the number of hours worked. APL may offer bonuses or other forms of compensation per internal policy and/or contractual designation. Additional compensation may be provided in the form of a sign-on bonus, relocation benefits, locality allowance or discretionary payments for exceptional performance. APL provides eligible staff with a comprehensive benefits package including retirement plans, paid time off, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, flexible spending accounts, education assistance, and training and development. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

Salary : $85,300 - $155,500