SEA Cryogenic Electron Microscopist

Rice University•Houston, TX

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Shared Equipment Authority (SEA) provides faculty and researchers with access to state-of-the-art shared scientific instrumentation, technical expertise, and research support services. Established in 2001, SEA manages more than 150 research instruments across multiple core facilities, supporting research in the physical sciences, engineering, life sciences, and medicine. SEA's professional scientific staff partner with faculty, students, postdoctoral researchers, and external collaborators by providing instrument training, consultation, and technical expertise that enable cutting-edge research. The SEA Cryogenic Electron Microscopist is responsible for the management, maintenance, and operation of specialized scientific research equipment (ThermoFisher Glacios) in the cryo-EM core lab facilities for the Office of Research, through the Shared Equipment Authority (SEA). As part of the biological instrumentation and electron microscopy staff teams, this position coordinates these responsibilities with other SEA research scientists and provides support to other SEA facilities as needed.

Requirements

Master's degree in a relevant science or engineering field (biology, biochemistry, bioengineering, chemistry, etc.)
4+ years of hands-on experience with maintenance, training, operations, data processing, and/or support for cryogenic electron microscopy facilities
Broad-based knowledge of science with expert-level knowledge of an applicable research area and the associated research equipment
Ability to critically evaluate scientific literature and to integrate it, as approved, into the knowledge base
Ability to troubleshoot malfunctioning equipment
Knowledge of mechanical, plumbing, and electrical systems
Excellent critical thinking, research, and technical skills
Excellent editing, presentation, verbal, and written communication skills, with the ability to communicate with a wide range of researchers, faculty, staff, and students, including both technical and non-technical individuals
Willingness to work autonomously, as well as with other staff and faculty
Excellent general management, leadership, organizational, project management, and time management skills
Ability to promote the best practices of a research lab
Proven mastery of related instrumentation and the ability to learn quickly and master new experimental methods and instruments

Nice To Haves

Extensive hands-on experience in high-resolution cryo-electron microscopy and related techniques for single-particle and tomography analysis
Associated workflows for sample preparation, specimen handling, data processing
Operation and support of ThermoFisher Glacios/Krios microscopy and related instrumentation
Experience with an FEI Vitrobot Mark IV Plus and a Tecnai FT20 TEM with a Gatan K2 Summit camera
Ph.D. in a relevant science or engineering field
5+ years of hands-on experience with maintenance, training, operations, data processing, and/or support for cryogenic electron microscopy facilities

Responsibilities

Operating and optimizing instruments
Providing user consultation and training
Supporting experimental design
Maintaining and troubleshooting instruments in coordination with the ThermoFisher service team
Ensuring quality control
Processing and interpreting data
Coordinating the use of shared equipment
Ensuring adherence to institutional laboratory safety policies and regulatory requirements
Supporting a broad range of investigator-driven research programs
Promoting the effective utilization of the facility through user training, workshops, consultation services, and outreach activities
Responsible for the full life cycle of assigned research equipment, including assisting with the negotiation of technical specifications for new research equipment, overseeing vendor installation, operating, maintaining, troubleshooting, consulting with the vendor regarding repairs, overseeing repairs as appropriate, and facilitating routine maintenance of the equipment
Provides high-level instruction on instrument usage to undergraduates, graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, faculty, and external users, and performs brief demonstrations
Develops standard processes and provides expert consultation to researchers on process issues
Collaborates with PIs on advanced research experiments and projects
Works in conjunction with PIs to prepare grant proposals for research equipment acquisition to improve research programs, particularly for expanding cryo-EM capabilities
Provides training when specialized techniques are needed for research; works to the extent necessary with individuals to perform experiments, interpret results, determine next steps, and write up results for publication
Stays abreast of the latest technological advances in research and informs faculty and stakeholders of new methodologies.
Pursues the implementation of new techniques needed for research on existing instrumentation
Promotes and enhances a culture of laboratory safety
Follows the best practices of a shared research laboratory facility
Performs all other duties as assigned
Performs various administrative functions, including but not limited to: attending internal and external meetings, issuing and tracking scientific equipment usage and fee charges to the necessary parties, and maintaining security access control to the research lab.