Core Laboratory Specialist Cryo Electron Microscopy

Job Purpose:

The Core Laboratory Specialist for Cryo-Electron Microscopy (cryo-EM) is tasked with delivering high-quality technical support to users of the Cryo-EM Facilities. This role encompasses a wide range of responsibilities related to the daily operations, including managing equipment, training users, and ensuring compliance with Khalifa University's (KU's) Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) regulations for the proper and safe use of equipment and materials. Additionally, the Cryo-EM Specialist will foster a culture of continuous improvement to maintain excellent research user services within the Research Core Laboratories.

Operational Responsibilities:

Laboratory Safety

Drive practices and metrics, which ensure that the Cryo-Electron Microscopy (cryo-EM) Facilities operate in compliance with all aspects of Khalifa University's EHS policies.

Laboratory Operations

Responsible for the daily operation, maintenance, and user training. This role includes working closely with faculty, students, and researchers to provide technical support in cryo-EM experiments, sample preparation, data collection, and analysis. The successful candidate will contribute to the research and educational mission of the university by enabling high-quality data generation and analysis of applications including biological, biomaterials and soft materials.

Equipment operations include cryo-EM Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) such as Krios G4 300 kV, Glacios 200 kV and Talos 120 kV.

Use of cryo-EM sample preparation tools including high pressure freezer, cryo-ultramicrotome, low temperature sectioning system, and cryo-confocal light microscopes.

Key Responsibilities:

Provide a safe environment for the use of sample preparation and cryo-EM equipment.

Operate sample preparation and cryo-EM TEM equipment.

Provide cryo-EM expertise, including data collection, structure determination, refinement, and analysis.

Assist and train faculty, students, and researchers in the use of sample preparation and cryo-EM equipment.

Ensure sample preparation and cryo-EM equipment are functioning optimally, performing routine maintenance as needed.

Manage and schedule usage of sample preparation and cryo-EM equipment.

Stay updated with the latest developments in cryo-EM techniques.

Support interdisciplinary research teams to design and implement cryo-EM based experiments.

Maintain detailed records of experiments, instrument logs, and maintenance activities.

Resource Management

Assist in the determination of fiscal requirements and in the preparation of budgetary recommendations, including recommending capital equipment expenditures, ensure appropriate resource levels, and comply with organizational expenditure requirements.

Supervise the inventory of commonly used lab supplies, maintenance parts and any other items related to research lab operations.

Evaluates technical requirements based on bids received from potential vendors for purchase of lab equipment.

Ensure information on lab website is kept up to date including all training schedules, equipment schedules and equipment descriptions.

Guide the faculty and researchers on the purchase of consumables and accessories for equipment usage.

Recommend appropriate training courses as per the user research interests.

Research Services

Contribute to the continued innovation and development of the research program.

Maintain liaison with investigators, research personnel and staff to solve specific operating problems and improve technical activities

Other

Experience in the use of cryo-dual beam scanning electron microscope/focused ion beam (SEM/FIB) systems is highly desirable.

Proven track record in preparing high-quality samples for Cryo-EM analysis contributing to advancements in structural biology research.

Adhere to the University's information security and confidentiality policies and procedures, and report breaches or other security risks accordingly.

Coordinate with other departments to facilitate the accomplishment of tasks and responsibilities related to the operations of the Research Laboratories Department.

Demonstrate a strong commitment and practice to maintaining a safe and healthy work environment.

Required Qualifications:

Bachelor's Degree in Science or Engineering in the field of Biology, Physics, Materials Science, or a related field with Masters or Doctoral degrees preferred.

Strong experience in cryo-EM techniques, including sample preparation and cryo-transmission electron microscopy (cryo-TEM), and data generation.

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to connect and build commercial relationships in a university environment.

Required Experience:

A minimum of 7 years relevant experience.