Research Specialist - Electron Microscopy

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Work closely with users and collaborators to plan and execute experiments and to prepare specimens while safely and effectively operating sample preparation and electron microscopy equipment.

• Produce high quality ready-to-image samples and high quality micrographs.

• Analzye, review, and discuss experimental results.

• Optimize experimental procedures and protocols; Participate in or initiate method development and provide training to users of different expertise levels.

• Provide assistance to users as needed.

• Operate, maintain, and troubleshoot various electron microscopy instruments and equipment as well as computers; manage the laboratory environment and ensure its safety and cleanliness; participate in billing and other administrative duties;

• Properly handle various samples, maintain reagent and lab supplies, transfer and maintain experimental data.

Qualifications:

Education and Experience:

• PhD degree in life sciences with 3+ years relevant experience or Masters degree with 5+ years relevant experience.

• Expertise in EM sample preparation methods such as chemical fixation, high pressure freezing, freeze substitution, resin embedding and sectioning and TEM imaging as well as image analysis.

• Experience working with organs, tissues and cultured cells.

Skills and Abilities

• Strong written and verbal communication skills including mastery of written and spoken English for effective technical discussions and user training.

• Good team player, enjoying an open, collaborative and mutually respectful team environment; working in a professional manner with users and peers from a diverse population and a wide range of experience levels.

• Motivated to develop/test new methods/techniques; Self-motivated to learn new tools/technologies and to take on new challenges and work in a supervised and unsupervised environment.

• Good knowledge and practical skills with computers and networks

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). Work may involve possible exposure to malodorous vapors, low dose radiation, contamination by toxic chemicals and acids and presence of carcinogenic substances.

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.