Postdoctoral Researcher - Scientific Machine Learning & Computational Chemistry

Postdoctoral Researcher Scientific Machine Learning & Computational Chemistry

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory is hiring a Materials and Logistics Specialist to support the Advanced Light Source Upgrade, or ALS-U, Project. The Advanced Light Source is a world-leading X-ray research facility used by scientists to study materials, energy technologies, biological systems, and other areas of science. The ALS-U Project is modernizing the facility with next-generation capabilities that will support scientific discovery for years to come.

In this role, you will help ensure that specialized equipment, materials, and supplies are safely received, inspected, documented, stored, tracked, and delivered throughout the project. You will work closely with logistics staff, technicians, engineers, Procurement, Property Management, vendors, freight carriers, and other project partners.

This is an opportunity for an experienced warehouse, shipping and receiving, or inventory professional to apply their skills in a highly collaborative environment while supporting one of Berkeley Lab's most significant scientific infrastructure projects.

You will:

• Receive, inspect, document, barcode, and process incoming materials, equipment, and supplies.
• Maintain accurate inventory and location records using EZOI and other digital tracking systems.
• Safely operate forklifts, pallet jacks, box trucks, flatbed vehicles, and other material-handling equipment.
• Load, unload, stage, relocate, and deliver materials throughout Berkeley Lab and to off-site storage locations.
• Inspect incoming freight for damage, quantity discrepancies, addressing errors, and manifest accuracy.
• Document damaged or missing items and coordinate next steps with the Logistics Lead, Procurement, vendors, and freight carriers.
• Prepare specialized or high-value equipment for shipment, storage, or transportation using appropriate wrapping, banding, packing, and securement methods.
• Coordinate property tagging and controls for high-value or sensitive equipment in partnership with the ALS-U Property Manager.
• Notify project staff when materials arrive and help ensure deliveries reach the correct recipient or location.
• Maintain complete and accurate receiving, shipping, delivery, and inventory records.
• Help resolve shipping, receiving, inventory, and order-status issues.
• Identify opportunities to improve warehouse, inventory, and logistics processes.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe warehouse environment.
• Follow Berkeley Lab safety requirements, work-planning procedures, and training expectations.

We are looking for:

• Bachelor's degree and at least one year of directly related experience, or at least three years of directly related experience in warehouse operations, logistics, shipping and receiving, inventory control, manufacturing, material handling, or a related field.
• At least three years of experience operating pallet jacks and high-capacity forklifts in warehouse and loading-dock environments, including loading and unloading trucks.
• At least three years of experience in inventory control, including receiving, identifying, inspecting, labeling, documenting, storing, and tracking products, materials, or equipment.
• At least three years of experience working in a manufacturing, warehouse, logistics, construction, research, or similarly structured operational environment.
• At least two years of experience picking, pulling, packaging, shipping, and receiving materials or equipment.
• Demonstrated experience safely packing, shipping, receiving, and handling delicate, high-value, oversized, or complex equipment using common and specialized carriers.
• Extensive and proficient experience operating high-capacity forklifts.
• Experience operating delivery and material-transport vehicles, including box trucks and flatbed vehicles.
• Ability to work independently, take initiative, exercise sound judgment, and manage multiple competing priorities.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to complete detailed work accurately and consistently.
• Intermediate proficiency with data entry, inventory management software and workplace technology such as Jira, Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, Smartsheet, or similar systems.
• Strong communication and follow-up skills, with the ability to interact professionally and courteously with scientific, technical, administrative, skilled-trades, vendor, and freight-carrier personnel.
• Experience applying workplace safety practices and principles in warehouse, shipping, receiving, or material-handling environments.
• Valid California driver's license.
• Ability to comfortably walk and climb stairs extensively and kneel and bend frequently while performing regular duties.
• Forklift operator certification from LBNL and/or NSC (National Safety Council) and OSHA certifications within the first six months of hire.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds maximum unassisted; ability to frequently lift and carry objects weighing up to 25 pounds for 10 to 15 feet.

Desired skills/knowledge:

• Experience with inventory databases, warehouse management systems, logistics software, or material requirements planning systems.
• Ability to analyze data to report status of procurement tracking and materials coordination to support decision-making.
• Basic proficiency with coding languages (e.g., SQL, Python, VBA, or scripting languages) to create queries and retrieve data across multiple systems.
• Experience operating overhead lifts, hoists, winches, cranes, jacks, rollers, or similar equipment.
• Experience following and applying established safety, property-control, shipping, receiving, and inventory procedures to resolve routine and non-routine logistics issues.
• Familiarity with property-control requirements for high-value or sensitive equipment.
• Familiarity with U.S. Department of Energy or federal property-management requirements.
• Current forklift certification.
• Experience supporting logistics or material-handling operations in a research, laboratory, construction, manufacturing, engineering, or technical environment.
• Experience using data-reporting or automation tools to improve inventory and logistics processes.

Additional information:

• Application date: Priority consideration will be given to candidates who apply by September 16, 2026. Applications will be accepted until the job posting is removed.
• Appointment type: This is a full-time, term appointment with a hard end date of September 30, 2029. Possibility of extension or conversion to Career appointment based upon satisfactory job performance, continuing availability of funds and ongoing operational needs.
• Salary range: The expected hourly range for this position is $29.80 - $36.42, which fits into the full hourly range of $26.45 - $44.67 depending upon the candidate's skills, knowledge, and abilities. This includes education, certifications, and years of experience.
• Background check: This position is subject to a background check. Any convictions will be evaluated to determine if they directly relate to the responsibilities and requirements of the position. Having a conviction history will not automatically disqualify an applicant from being considered for employment.
• Work modality: Work will be primarily performed at: Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA. A REAL ID or other acceptable form of identification is required to access Berkeley Lab sites (for more information click here).
• Work authorization: Candidates must be eligible to work in the U.S. at the time of hire. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Equal Employment Opportunity Employer: The foundation of Berkeley Lab is our Stewardship Values: Team Science, Service, Trust, Innovation, and Respect; and we strive to build community with these shared values and commitments. Berkeley Lab is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We heartily welcome applications from all who could contribute to the Lab's mission of leading scientific discovery, excellence, and professionalism. In support of our rich global community, all qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories under State and Federal law.

Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts an offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of substantiated misconduct with a previous employer. For additional information, click here.