Job Information
Michigan State University Specialist - Research-Continuing in East Lansing, Michigan
Working/Functional Title
Assistant Director - Research Specialist
Position Summary
Job Responsibilities:
Provide support to users with daily operations of instruments, including a Talos Arctica, Titan Krios, and Helios Hydra microscopes.
Prepare sample grids for researchers across MSU.
Coordinate with vendors for repair and maintenance of microscopes and related equipment.
Lead coordination with MSU IT and Data Center to gather raw data management and output from laboratory instruments.
Analyze and interpret data to provide insights and recommendations.
Coordinate with MSU IT for maintaining and operating the core workstations (computers in Biochemistry room 502C).
Design and implement data processing workflows for SPA and subtomogram averaging.
Perform additional duties as needed, such as cryo-correlative and light microscopy, FIB-milling, and serial sectioning.
Offer hands-on training for users on instrument operation and sample preparation techniques.
Participation in manuscript preparation as lead author.
Provide experimental descriptions and preliminary data for facility users for use in grant writing.
Stay current with advances in cryoEM and present findings on behalf of the research core in journal clubs, departmental seminars, and workshops and/or conferences.
Develop education and curriculum to use in teaching Cryo-EM courses.
Supervise other facility support staff.
Collaborate with the facility director to align daily operations with organizational objectives and identify emerging trends to inform strategic planning and decision-making.
Support the Core Director with the development and implementation of strategic plans and budgets for the research core.
Lead the strategic planning of the facility which includes room design and assignment, policy implementation and procurement of lab equipment.
Serves as the Project lead, including fostering a collaborative work environment and making key decisions regarding organizational objectives.
Establish collaborations with other researchers and labs.
Mentoring junior staff and overseeing professional development
Compensation for this position is set at a range of $100,000 to $105,000 annually.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.
Required Degree
Doctorate -Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Biophysics, Structural Biology
Minimum Requirements
Required Qualifications:
PhD is required in biology, chemistry, physics, biophysics, structural biology or a closely related field.
A minimum of 5 years postdoctoral or post degree staff scientist experience is required.
Proficient in vitrification of biological samples, with hands-on experience using robotic devices such as a Vitrobot IV or a Leica GP2 plunger.
Minimum of five years of independent experience operating high end electron microscopes, such as a Talos Arctica, or Titan Krios.
Skilled in single-particle analysis (SPA) and tilt series data collection using automated software (ex: EPU, TOMO5, and/or Leginon or SerialEM).
Strong command of Cryo-EM ET data processing (ex: CryoSPARC, RELION, and/or IMOD).
Minimum of two years' experience in Cryo-EM Core Facility set-up required.
Required Application Materials
Resume / CV
Cover letter
Three professional references
Special Instructions
Please review your application carefully to make sure all requirements are met.
Website
https://cryo-em.natsci.msu.edu/about/index.aspx
Department Statement
The Cryo-EM facility is associated with the MSU Research Technology Support Facility (RTSF). RTSF provides five core facilities in addition to the Cryo-EM facility. RTSF facilities are available to all MSU researchers. The core instrument of the Cryo-EM facility is the state of the artTalos Arctica transmission electron microscope. (more description here). The Cryo-EM facility is located on the south end of campus in the Engineering Research Complex.
MSU Statement
Michigan State University has been advancing the common good with uncommon will for more than 160 years. One of the top research universities in the world, MSU pushes the boundaries of discovery and forges enduring partnerships to solve the most pressing global challenges while providing life-changing opportunities to a diverse and inclusive academic community through more than 200 programs of study in 17 degree-granting colleges.
