Cryo-EM Specialist

Position Overview

Do you enjoy collaborating with a diverse group of people to solve complex challenges?  Does contributing to breakthrough discoveries in science and working with unique experimental instrumentation in a world-leading scientific research environment excite you? The Cryo-EM and Bioimaging Division within the Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource Directorate at SLAC is seeking a Cryo-EM Specialist to support state-of-the-art electron microscopy facilities involving 7 Thermo Fisher cryoEM instruments and two cryoET instruments with additional sample preparation instrumentation. The facility is staffed by a team, including this position, that is responsible for oversight, research operations and maintenance of these microscopes, as well as training and assisting scientific users. Reporting to the SLAC Manager, the CryoEM Specialist will be a member of this team supporting research activities in single particle and tomography studies. 

Your specific responsibilities include:

• Conduct cryoEM specimen preparation.
• Operate electron microscopes for the study of cryo-specimens.
• Screen cryo-EM specimen for suitability in structural research.
• Conduct assessment prior to data collection:  Perform preliminary image data quality evaluation, load samples and tune microscopes.
• Collect image data for users
• Conduct assessment of data collection: Provide evaluation on quality of data collected
• Interface with the SLAC scientific computing team for support to ensure optimal data collection, storage and data processing.
• Perform image processing.
• Assist researchers on cryoEM projects and oversee their experiments.
• Help orient and train new staff, external and internal users, postdoctoral scholars and graduate students.
• Develop and support data collection enhancements.
• Develop instruction material and contribute to research reports and publications.
• Maintain the electron microscopes and other cryo-specimen preparation apparatus; may require interfacing with vendor engineers. Maintain accurate electronic logs for microscope performance and usage.

Other general research and lab coordination responsibilities include:

• Perform more complex functions and activities involved in defined research projects and independently conduct a portion of the research project(s).
• Perform complex (lab and/or field) experiments for a major portion of the research project. Maintain detailed records of experiments and outcomes.
• Interpret and analyze results, often where few guidelines exist. Based on prior results, contribute to development of new research protocols and procedures or adaptation of existing protocols.
• Make recommendations on plan design and/or research direction to principal investigator.
• Participate in multidisciplinary teams across divisions.
• Perform ongoing literature review to remain current with new procedures and related research; present findings for lab work group.
• Contribute substantively to the preparation of papers for publication, especially in the results section. May contribute to publication of findings and present ongoing work and findings to colleagues at academic conferences.
• Perform general lab maintenance as needed; maintain lab stock, manage chemical inventory, and provide general lab support as needed. May assist with purchasing laboratory equipment.
• Other duties may also be assigned.

To be successful in this position you will bring:

• Bachelor's degree in structural biology, biophysics, physics, biochemistry, chemistry or bioengineering, or related scientific field and at least two years of relevant work experience, or Master’s degree in related field
• Comprehensive understanding of scientific principles.
• General understanding of the principles of transmission electron microscopy and cryoelectron microscopy.
• General computer skills and ability to quickly learn and master computer programs, databases, and scientific applications.
• Strong analytical skills and excellent judgment.
• Strong communications skills and ability to interact effectively with scientists at a varied level of experience
• Ability to work independently under deadlines with general guidance is essential, as well as ability to work productively in a team environment.
• Excellent organizational skills and demonstrated ability to accurately complete detailed work.

Preferred requirements include:

• Direct experience in cryoEM techniques and use in biological applications is strongly preferred.
• Master’s degree in relevant science field, and/or two years of experience thereafter in a research environment, or a Ph.D.

SLAC employee competencies:

• Effective Decisions: Uses job knowledge and solid judgment to make quality decisions in a timely manner.
• Self-Development: Pursues a variety of venues and opportunities to continue learning and developing.
• Dependability: Can be counted on to deliver results with a sense of personal responsibility for expected outcomes.
• Initiative: Pursues work and interactions proactively with optimism, positive energy, and motivation to move things forward.
• Adaptability: Flexes as needed when change occurs, maintains an open outlook while adjusting and accommodating changes.
• Communication:  Ensures effective information flow to various audiences and creates and delivers clear, appropriate written, spoken, presented messages
• Relationships: Builds relationships to foster trust, collaboration, and a positive climate to achieve.

Work standards:

• Interpersonal Skills: Demonstrates the ability to work well with Stanford colleagues and clients and with external organizations.
• Promote Culture of Safety: Demonstrates commitment to personal responsibility and value for environment, safety and security; communicates related concerns; uses and promotes safe behaviors based on training and lessons learned.  Meets the applicable roles and responsibilities as described in the ESH Manual, Chapter 1—General Policy and Responsibilities: http://www-group.slac.stanford.edu/esh/eshmanual/pdfs/ESHch01.pdf  
• Subject to and expected to comply with all applicable University policies and procedures, including but not limited to the personnel policies and other policies found in the University's Administrative Guide, http://adminguide.stanford.edu Policies found in the University's Administrative Guide,http://adminguide.stanford.edu.

Responsibilities