About the team/job
We are looking for a cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) specialist to join the Structural and Computational Biology (SCB) Unit at EMBL Heidelberg.
EMBL Heidelberg hosts world-class cryo-electron microscopy facilities for internal and external users. The cryo-EM specialist will assist and support users during sample screening and data collection in EMBL Heidelberg’s cryo-electron microscopy facilities that include four Titan Krios, one Talos Arctica, one Glacios, and two Aquilos microscopes. The support engineer will closely interact with a larger team comprising microscopy engineers, application specialists and image analysists having the mission of highest-level user service provision and technology development in cryo-EM.
Your role
The successful applicant will be responsible for:
- Introducing and training users to cryo-EM technologies and auxiliary equipment, including assistance and trouble-shooting in sample preparation.
- Maintaining and servicing the microscope hardware and software, as well as maintaining alignments of the microscopes.
- Ensuring smooth running of the instrumentation, interacting with service engineers and helping to maintain and develop the local infrastructure.
- Introducing and training new users to cryo-ET and cryo-FIB-SEM; training in in situ cryo-ET aspects will be provided.
- Collecting, evaluating and processing data for users carrying out structural biology projects in single-particle analysis and tomography.
- Staying up to date with the latest developments in the cryo-EM methodologies and developing novel workflows tailored for a cryo-EM user facility.
- Helping with the organisation and teaching of electron microscopy courses for the user community.
You have
- PhD or equivalent experience in the life sciences, physics, engineering or related disciplines.
- Extensive experience in operating cryogenic transmission electron microscopes.
- Extensive experience in cryo-EM sample preparation and image processing.
- Strong motivation and ability to support, train, and interact effectively with team members and users.
- Excellent communication and organisation skills.
- Fluency in English.
You might also have
- Prior knowledge in biochemistry and sample purification for structural biology studies.
- Prior knowledge in cryo-ET and considerations for data processing.
- Prior knowledge in operating cryo-FIB milling devices for preparation of cellular lamellae.
- Prior knowledge in correlative light and electron microscopy (cryo-CLEM) workflows.
Why join us
EMBL is an inclusive, equal opportunity employer offering attractive conditions and benefits appropriate to an international research organisation with a very collegial and family friendly working environment. The remuneration package comprises a competitive salary, a comprehensive pension scheme, medical, educational and other social benefits. Excellent child care facility is available on campus.
What else you need to know
We are Europe’s flagship research laboratory for the life sciences – an intergovernmental organisation performing scientific research in disciplines including molecular biology, physics, chemistry and computer science. We are an international, innovative and interdisciplinary laboratory with more than 1600 employees from many nations, operating across six sites, in Heidelberg (HQ), Barcelona, Hinxton near Cambridge, Hamburg, Grenoble and Rome.
Our mission is to offer vital services in training scientists, students and visitors at all levels; to develop new instruments and methods in the life sciences and actively engage in technology transfer activities, and to integrate European life science research.
The working language of the institute is English.
In your online application, you will be asked to include a cover letter, CV and the contact details of 3 referees. Further information about the position can be obtained from Simone Mattei ([email protected]) or Christoph Müller ([email protected]).
Interviews are planned for the 10th of August 2022.
The initial contract is for a period of three years with the possibility of a fixed-term extension
EMBL is a signatory of DORA. Find out how we implement best practices in research assessment in our recruitment processes here