Manager, Cell Biology Operations

Summary:

Do you have expertise working with immortalized cells, primary cell culture, stem cells, and organoids? Do you have expertise in the design and use of state-of-the-art genome engineering techniques for cell-based studies? Do you have experience leading a team to help researchers achieve their scientific goals? If so, then this brand-new position is for you!

The Janelia Research Campus of HHMI is looking for an experienced and highly motivated cell biologist to lead and manage the Cell Culture and Flow Cytometry Shared Resources. These two departments are instrumental in supporting research labs that develop molecular tools for cell based and in-vivo studies, labs that study how the brain enables flexible behavior, and labs that study how cells work and communicate across scales to build and maintain organs and organisms. The ideal candidate will have a BS (PhD preferred) in a biological science with at least five years of cell culture focused lab experience and three years of personnel management. Candidates should have direct experience with the design and implementation of CRISPR based genome engineering techniques in cells and organoids.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Manage the operations, personnel, and budgets of the Cell Culture and Flow Cytometry Shared Resources.

• Engage researchers in labs and project teams to sufficiently understand their research directions to offer effective services, collaborate on attaining project goals, and make suggestions for improvements.

• Provide expertise in the design and use of standard and state of the art genome engineering techniques for cells and organoids.

• Establish and maintain priorities, workflows, and mechanisms for service request submission, completion, and communication to the requester.

• Provide oversight of shared cell culture spaces, including recommendations for space organization and equipment replacement.

• Develop new services for the Cell Culture and Flow Cytometry Shared Resources in consultation with key stakeholders, including users, staff, and Janelia leadership.

• Work with Facilities and EH&S on equipment certification, repair, and maintenance.

• Identify and apply improvements to procedures and protocols.

• Train researchers and shared resource staff in the operation of specialized equipment and the performance of complex protocols.

• Work closely with other Scientific Operations (SciOps) managers to enable scientific workflows across multiple shared resources.

• Ensure services provided by the department staff meet high standards of scientific rigor with appropriate quality control.

• Ensure data produced from services by the department staff is of high quality and efficiently transferred to requesters.

• Presents oral and written reports concerning the progress of projects and services. This will include the assembly, organization, and interpretation of data.

• Develop, track, and report metrics and quality control measures to evaluate the success and opportunities to improve departmental services.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

Education:

• BS in Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, or related field. Ph.D. is preferred.

• Formal education in management is preferred.

• An equivalent combination of education and relevant work experience will be considered.

Experience:

• Minimum of five years related research laboratory experience.

• Minimum of three years leadership and supervisory experience in a research setting.

Skills and Abilities:

• Demonstrated proficiency in the care and maintenance of immortalized, primary, embryonic, and/or induced pluripotent cell lines, as well as 3D culture systems and organoids.

• Demonstrated proficiency in the design and use of genome engineering techniques for cells and organoids. This includes but is not limited to viral, chemical, and electrical transfection methods and CRISPR based techniques.

• Strong proficiency in cell biological experiments, including performing immunostaining techniques and a wide variety of sample preparation methods.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills and ability to influence at all levels.

• Ability to interact with collaborators at all levels, including senior scientific management, project scientists, Janelia lab heads, visitors (domestic and international), and scientific support staff.

• Ability to prioritize and provide clear direction to team members in a highly dynamic environment.

• Demonstrated enthusiasm for challenging problems and innovative solutions.

• Demonstrated ability to provide leadership, motivation, and build trust with a diverse team.

• Demonstrated ability to work within time and budget constraints to drive projects to completion.

• Strong time management, multi-tasking, and organizational skills.

Physical Requirements:

Remaining in a normal seated or standing position for extended periods of time; reaching and grasping by extending hand(s) or arm(s); dexterity to manipulate objects with fingers, for example using a keyboard; communication skills using the spoken word; ability to see and hear within normal parameters; ability to move about workspace. The position requires mobility, including the ability to move materials weighing up to several pounds (such as a laptop computer or tablet).

Persons with disabilities may be able to perform the essential duties of this position with reasonable accommodation. Requests for reasonable accommodation will be evaluated on an individual basis.

Please Note:

This job description sets forth the job's principal duties, responsibilities, and requirements; it should not be construed as an exhaustive statement, however. Unless they begin with the word "may," the Essential Duties and Responsibilities described above are "essential functions" of the job, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Compensation and Benefits

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