Lead Technical Advisor

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Job Location (Full Address):

601 Elmwood Ave, Rochester, New York, United States of America, 14642

Opening:

Worker Subtype:

Regular

Time Type:

Full time

Scheduled Weekly Hours:

40

Department:

400855 Ctr for Advanced Research Tech

Work Shift:

UR - Day (United States of America)

Range:

UR URG 115

Compensation Range:

$97,400.00 - $146,000.00

Responsibilities:

Provides scientific, technical, and operational leadership for the Structural Biology Imaging Resource (SBIR) within the Center for Advanced Research Technologies (CART). Oversees the installation, optimization, operation, and long-term development of advanced cryo-electron microscopy instrumentation and associated workflows supporting structural biology and translational research programs. Serves as the institutional subject matter expert in cryo-EM technologies, leading method development, user training, data acquisition strategies, quality assurance, and operational planning for a complex shared research resource. Collaborates extensively with faculty investigators, institutional leadership, external partners, and vendors to advance high-quality, reproducible research and expand institutional cryo-EM capabilities.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Oversee daily operation, optimization, maintenance coordination, and performance monitoring of cryo-EM instrumentation, including the Thermo Fisher Glacios cryo-TEM platform and associated instrumentation.
• Develop, validate, implement, and continuously optimize cryo-EM workflows, SOPs, quality control procedures, and data acquisition methodologies for single particle analysis, cryo-ET, and related applications.
• Provide scientific consultation and technical support to investigators regarding experimental design, sample preparation, imaging strategies, data quality assessment, troubleshooting, and interpretation of cryo-EM experiments.
• Design and deliver user training programs for instrument operation, sample preparation, safety procedures, and best practices; supervise and mentor facility staff and trainees as applicable.
• Coordinate facility administration including scheduling oversight, service contract management, budgeting, recharge activities, data management coordination, usage reporting, and long-range operational planning.
• Collaborate with CART leadership, faculty investigators, external vendors, and institutional partners on grant development, technology implementation, methods development, publications, and strategic growth initiatives for the SBIR.
• Other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's degree and 8 years of relevant experience operating and supporting advanced cryo-electron microscopy instrumentation required
• Or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Masters in structural biology, biophysics, biochemistry, cell biology, biomedical engineering, or related scientific discipline preferred.
• PhD in structural biology, biophysics, biochemistry, cell biology, biomedical engineering, or related scientific discipline preferred
• Demonstrated experience managing complex scientific instrumentation or shared research facilities preferred.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Advanced knowledge of cryo-electron microscopy instrumentation, detectors, imaging workflows, and data quality assessment methodologies preferred.
• Strong troubleshooting, analytical, organizational, and project management skills preferred.
• Ability to develop SOPs, training programs, and operational policies for a complex shared research resource environment preferred.
• Excellent written communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to interact effectively with investigators, trainees, vendors, and institutional leadership preferred.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities independently while maintaining high-quality scientific and operational standards preferred.
• Demonstrated commitment to collaborative, service-oriented scientific support preferred.
• Experience with high-resolution cryo-EM data acquisition, sample preparation, and structural biology workflows preferred.
• Experience with cryo-EM software platforms including EPU, SerialEM, RELION, cryoSPARC, or related analysis environments preferred.
• Experience with cryo-electron tomography (cryo-ET), micro-ED, cryo-FIB/SEM, or correlative imaging workflows preferred.
• Experience contributing to grant applications, shared resource operations, or service center leadership preferred.

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