Application Specialist in Advanced Cryo-Electron Microscopy

Since its inauguration in 2021, the EMBL Imaging Centre (IC) has rapidly established itself as a world-leading user facility for cutting-edge light and electron microscopy (LM and EM). Its core mission is to provide researchers across EMBL’s member states with open access to the most advanced imaging technologies, enabling investigations that span molecular, cellular, and organismal scales. By offering high-end instrumentation as well as completely new developments as reliable, expert-supported services, the EMBL Imaging Centre plays a central role in advancing pioneering life science research – positioning  itself at the forefront of integrated life science infrastructure in Europe (for more information see https://www.embl.org/about/info/imaging-centre/). 

With the EMBL Imaging Centre now fully operational and continuing to grow in scope, we are seeking new team members to join our team. 

The Cryo-Electron Microscopy Team led by Simone Mattei at the EMBL IC is looking for expert imaging professionals with a strong motivation for highest-level user service provision. Areas of expertise may include but are not limited to cryo-electron microscopy, cryo-electron tomography, cryo-focused ion beam milling/scanning electron microscopy, correlative light and electron microscopy (CLEM), cryo-super-resolution light microscopy, and structure determination by single particle analysis or subtomogram averaging. 

Other positions currently open in the EMBL IC:

• Application specialist in advanced light microscopy

• Lab Manager IC services

Your role

The successful applicants will be part of an international, highly collaborative team comprising microscopy engineers, application specialists, image analysts and project managers having the mission of highest-level user service provision and workflow development. 

Key responsibilities include:

• Supporting users in all aspects of advanced electron microscopy as well as correlative microscopy experiments: sample preparation, introduction to the imaging technology and auxiliary equipment, assistance and trouble-shooting during imaging and data collection, data management as well as data analysis.

• Setting-up, testing, and ensuring smooth running of the instrumentation, interacting with service engineers and helping to maintain and develop the local infrastructure.

• Developing expertise across the technology and service portfolio of the cryo-electron microscopy team, and staying up to date with the latest developments in the electron microscopy field.

• Developing – in close collaboration with your team mates, microscope developers and industrial partners of the facility – novel imaging workflows tailored to the highest level of service provision and to the technology needs at the EMBL IC.

• Training of EMBL IC users as well as other imaging experts in instrument usage and newly developed workflows.

• Contributing to microscopy courses and workshops for the IC users and imaging community in general.

You have

• PhD in the life sciences, physics, engineering or related disciplines.

• Proven experience in advanced cryo-electron microscopy techniques, related image analysis and their application to biological questions. Those techniques may include, but are not limited to cryo-electron microscopy, cryo-electron tomography, cryo-focused ion beam milling/scanning electron microscopy, correlative light and electron microscopy, cryo-super-resolution light microscopy, and structure determination by single particle analysis or subtomogram averaging.

• Extensive experience in sample preparation and development of new applications for advanced cryo-electron microscopy approaches. 

• Curiosity and strong motivation to become an imaging expert for a broad technology spectrum.

• Strong motivation to support and train users. 

• Excellent communication and organisation skills.

• Ability to work creatively, rigorously and independently. 

• Fluency in English. 

You may also have

• Experience in user support in an imaging facility.

• Experience in organising and running imaging courses.

Contract length

3 years

Salary

Grade 6, monthly salary from EUR 4.580,37 per month (after tax, and before 12.05% EMBL social security deductions) plus other paid benefits

How to apply

In your online application, please submit a cover letter, a CV and contact details of 3 referees. Please elaborate how your experience and background would support the Imaging Centre’s mission of providing and expanding our cutting-edge imaging services in your cover letter. If you are applying to several positions please indicate that as well. 

We will conduct two rounds of interviews: First, online during the weeks of 13 to 24 October, followed by onsite interviews in the week of 24 November.

Further information about the position can be obtained from Simone Mattei ([email protected]).

Why join us

EMBL is curiosity-driven, community-oriented and international. As an inclusive, equal opportunity employer, we believe that diversity enables us to collaborate more effectively and be innovative in our approaches. We are, therefore, committed to creating an inclusive and flexible culture - one where everyone can realise their full potential and make a positive contribution to our organisation. 

We encourage applications from individuals who can complement our existing team – we believe that success is built on having teams whose backgrounds and personal experiences reflect the diversity of the populations that our science serves. We actively encourage applications from all genders and cultures, ethnic groups and all demographics to help us avoid perpetuating biases and oversights at this transformational point in our people strategy.

Enjoy lots of benefits:

• Financial incentives: Salary free of income tax, Monthly family, child and non-resident allowances, annual salary review, pension scheme, death benefit, long-term care, accident-at-work and unemployment insurances

• Flexible working arrangements

• Private medical insurance for you and your immediate family (including all prescriptions and generous dental & optical cover)

• Generous time off: 30 days annual leave per year, in addition to public holidays

• Relocation package including installation grant(if applicable)

• Campus life: Free shuttle bus (select sites), on-site library, subsidised on-site gym and cafeteria, casual dress code, extensive sports and social club activities (on campus and remotely)

• Family benefits: Kindergarten (Heidelberg), 10 days of child sick leave, generous paid maternity/parental leave and monthly family & child allowances

• Benefits for international newcomers: Visa exemption, education grant for private schooling, financial support to travel back to your home country every second year and a monthly non-resident allowance.

• For detailed information please visit our employee benefits page here

What else you need to know

• International applicants: We recruit internationally and successful candidates are offered visa exemptions. Visit our International Applicants page, to find out more.

• EMBL is a signatory of DORA. Find out how we apply DORA principles to our recruitment and performance assessment processes here.

• Diversity and inclusion: At EMBL, we strongly believe that inclusive and diverse teams benefit from higher levels of innovation and creative thought. We encourage applications from women, LGBTQ+ & individuals from all nationalities. 

• How to apply: To apply please submit a cover letter and a CV through our online system. Applications will close at 23:59 CET on the date shown below. We aim to provide a response within two weeks after the closing date.

Closing Date