Cryo-Electron Microscopy Engineer

SLAC Job Postings

Position Overview:

The Cryo-EM and Bioimaging Division within the Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource Directorate at SLAC is seeking a Cryo-EM Engineer to support state-of-the-art electron microscopy facilities involving 7 Thermo Fisher cryoEM instruments (5 Titan Krios, 1 Glacios 2, 1 Tundra) with additional cryo-sample preparation device instrumentation being added. 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 Director of the Stanford-SLAC Cryo-EM Center (S 2 C 2 ), the Cryo-EM Engineer will be a member our team that is responsible for supporting research activities in cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM) and tomography (cryo-ET) studies towards high resolution structure determination, training and assisting scientific users, and operations, oversight and maintenance of the instruments.

Your specific responsibilities include:

• Work with scientists and staff on implementation of cryo-EM and cryo-ET instrumentation and associated sample preparation equipment, and bring to operations for research, including developing protocols for sample transfer and novel sample preparation techniques
• Perform developments for inclusion of additional sample delivery approaches
• Work with PI, scientific and technical staff to advance performance of the instruments
• Support cryo-EM and cryo-ET sample preparation, data acquisition, and data analysis enhancements
• Conduct assessment of data collection: Provide evaluation on quality of data collected; if needed, interface with the SLAC scientific computing team for support to ensure optimal data collection, storage and data processing; troubleshoot and diagnose technical problems, interface with vendor engineers and implement technical/engineering solutions
• Share in maintenance of cryo-EMs and cryo-specimen preparation apparatus; interface with vendors instrument engineers; implement engineering solutions
• Train and assist users in projects for the cryo-EM and cryo-ET for data collection, including tutoring at workshops
• Develop instruction material and contribute to research reports and publications.
• Orient and train new staff; may include team lead responsibilities
• Collaborate on scientific projects and publish results, including providing advice on the preparation of specimens; evaluate screening and data collection results, and perform structure determinations
• Interpret and analyze results, contribute to development of new experimental processes driving enhancement to instrumentation.
• Other duties may also be assigned.

To be successful in this position you will bring:

• Bachelor's degree in in structural biology, molecular biology, plant science, biophysics or bioengineering and a minimum of 2 years of experience of directly related experience in developing and supporting scientific instrumentation for cryo-EM and/or cryo-ET:
• Knowledge of and experience with cryo-EM and cryo-ET instruments and science applications
• Knowledge of and experience with cryo-EM techniques and computational analysis of single particle cryo-EM data
• Understanding of the principles of transmission electron microscopy and knowledge of computational image processing or single particle cryo-EM workflow.
• Experience with data analysis, experimental process, design, and development of prototypes, equipment, and/or systems related to cryo-EM imaging techniques.
• Ability to interpret and determine validity of data and check own work.
• Ability to communicate, liaise, and work with staff, students, faculty, and outside vendor representatives requiring excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated strong ability to interact effectively with a diverse group of scientists, engineers, technical staff and user groups; to work well in a team; as well as ability to take individual independent initiative, all in a fast-paced and dynamic environment.
• Ability to work under deadlines with general guidance.
• Excellent organizational skills and demonstrated ability to accurately complete detailed work.
• Ability to write clear documentation, research protocols and research results related to research studies and/or scientific/engineering projects.
• Experience with software applications, systems, or programs relevant for the job.
• Knowledge of and experience with biosafety materials handling and protocols

In addition, preferred requirements include:

• Advanced degree (PhD preferred) in structural biology, molecular biology, plant science, biophysics or bioengineering or related field.
• Experience in operations of a cryo-EM research facility, including organizing and coordinating the user research activity
• Experience in teaching in training workshops and classes focused on cryo-ET and cryo-EM as applied to biological sciences

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.

Physical requirements and Working conditions:

• Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodation to any employee with a disability who requires accommodation to perform the essential functions of his or her job.

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 1General 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

• Job Classification: Staff Engineer 2
• Grade: K, Job code: 0132
• Employment Duration: Regular Continuing

The expected pay range for this position is $118,000 - $175,000per annum. SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory/Stanford University provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of what the university reasonably expects to pay for a position. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal equity, geographic location and external market pay for comparable jobs.