Sr. Research Specialist II (Biophysics)

Johns Hopkins University•Baltimore, MD

4d•Onsite

About The Position

The Beckman Center for Cryo-EM is seeking a Sr. Research Specialist II who is an expert electron microscopist to support the center’s operations in cryo-electron tomography (cryo-ET), focusing on lamella preparation and cryo-correlation with focused-ion beam scanning electron microscopy (FIB-SEM) and cryo-correlative light electron microscopy (Cryo-CLEM). The Beckman Center houses state-of-the-art instrumentation and support infrastructure including the Titan Krios equipped with a Falcon 4i direct electron detector and Selectris energy filter, a Glacios equipped with a Falcon 4i direct electron detector, and an Aquilos II cryo-CLEM/FIB-SEM with iFLM. The Sr. Research Specialist II uses specialized scientific knowledge and experience to make decisions, trains/guides other laboratory personnel, and provides simple to complex troubleshooting.

Requirements

Significant hands-on FIB-SEM experience, experience in cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-ET / cryo-EM), image processing, and structure modeling or comparable experience and expertise with the relevant techniques.
The successful candidate must have strong interpersonal communication skills and be able to effectively work with faculty, staff, postdoctoral fellows, and students from a variety of scientific and cultural backgrounds.
Bachelor's Degree in Biology, Chemistry or related field.
Five years of experience in a comparable laboratory performing relevant techniques.
Additional education may substitute for required experience and additional related experience may substitute for required education permitted by the JHU equivalency formula beyond a high school diploma/graduation equivalent, to the extent

Nice To Haves

Ph.D. Degree in a relevant field
Master's Degree with related graduate research.

Responsibilities

Training and assisting users with grid preparation, FIB-SEM, and cryo-CLEM for 3D cryo-ET analysis (primarily utilizing the Aquilos II and associated equipment).
Day-to-day instrument operation, including FIB milling of cells and tissue, image acquisition, and microscope maintenance.
Providing user support for image processing and tomographic analysis.
Maintain high-throughput software pipelines.
Develop, design and manage specialized projects and/or instrumentation, and coordinates own objectives.
Utilize specialized knowledge to set up and run sophisticated instrumentation and interpret results.
Act as consultant to refine or adapt methodologies to fit research objectives.
Collaborate in development of new protocols and uses of equipment.
Advise investigators on experimental design and research methods.
Co-author/author publications.
Contribute original thoughts, hypotheses, and analysis to write reports, abstracts and manuscripts.
Provide significant input to research design and data collection and interpretation based on advanced knowledge/ understanding of activity.
Independently perform research assays specific to the research laboratory interests.
Collaborate with other lab personnel, managers, and faculty investigators.
Independently develop protocol and criteria.
Make decisions regarding research projects that may require assessment, revision of objectives, or altering scientific direction.
Consider resources and laboratory priorities when making decision.
Other duties as assigned.