Electron Microscopist / Staff Scientist

Department of Health and Human Services National Institutes of Health National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Electron Microscopist / Staff Scientist The Division of Intramural Research (DIR) of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) is seeking to recruit a highly qualified candidate to join our team as a Staff Scientist at the Electron Microscopy Core Facility (EM Core). Environment: The NHLBI EM Core is a major component of the DIR, providing training and access to cutting edge techniques and instrumentation to investigators requiring electron microscopy in their research. Members of the EM Core team are highly skilled staff who handle projects independently based on their unique expertise and interests. At the EM Core, we foster an environment where people with a variety of backgrounds, skills, and experiences, can feel comfortable as they learn electron microscopy techniques, in most cases for the first time in their careers, knowing that they are guided by skilled personnel. The existing faculty in the DIR/NHLBI is an outstanding group of internationally recognized biomedical researchers covering a wide range of basic and clinical research topics complemented by the other research institutes within the DIR . The position offers exceptional opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration with a variety of groups within the NIH. Instrumentation: Instrumentation includes a JEOL JEM 1200 TEM, a Thermo Fisher Talos L120C G2 TEM, a Zeiss Crossbeam 540 FIB-SEM, two Leica UC7 ultramicrotomes, one Leica FC7 Cryo Ultramicrotome, one Leica EM ICE high-pressure freezer and AFS2 freeze-substitution equipment. The successful applicant is expected to already be proficient in operating at least one of our microscopes (or equivalent), have excellent ultramicrotomy skills, have a good general theoretical knowledge of how electron microscopes work, and is expected to become proficient operating the rest of the instruments in the Core after receiving training from other EM Core staff upon joining the group. Responsibilities: Perform sample preparation of biological samples such as tissues, cell monolayers, and cell pellets for TEM and FIB-SEM. Perform room temperature and cryo-ultramicrotomy. High level of technical proficiency using advanced electron microscopes including TEM, SEM, FIB-SEM, and other key instruments. Training will be provided as needed. Expertise in light microscopy and several image analysis tools/approaches relevant to CLEM and the segmentation of FIB-SEM datasets. Capable of leading independent research projects, analyze and interpret data, and communicate results, concerns, and suggestions for improvements to EM Core Directors. Excellent communication skills and ability to collaborate with EM Core Staff and research groups across multiple disciplines at the NIH. Provide training, technical guidance, and communicate with students, fellows and other DIR research staff of varying levels of experience in electron microscopy. Prepare written summaries of experiments, contribute to the interpretation and discussion of results with other EM Core staff and EM Core users. Research, adapt, and/or develop new techniques needed to answer new research questions. Maintain detailed records of laboratory experiments, perform statistical analysis of data when appropriate, prepare images, summaries, and other materials for inclusion in publications. Support other EM Core staff with administration, operation and maintenance of instruments within the EM Core. Practice and enforce responsible safe laboratory practices. Follow established safety guidelines and disseminate safety standards to all staff. Prepare scientific data for publication, and present new research data in group settings at lab meetings, seminars or conferences. Attend training sessions for new methodologies and techniques as needed, and participate in conferences to stay up to date with the latest scientific developments. In addition, Staff Scientist will be expected to fulfill the above roles/responsibilities with a high level of independence and autonomy. Qualifications: Minimum Qualifications Ph.D. in a field related to biological/medical sciences and 4 years of experience in electron microscopy techniques, or a Ph.D. in materials science or other related field with at least 4 years of SEM or FIB-SEM experience. Exceptional candidates with master’s degree and 5 years of electron microscopy experience will be considered. Preferred Qualifications Ph.D. degree in biological or medical sciences. Two years’ experience in volume EM techniques (serial section TEM, array tomography, serial blockface, FIB-SEM, electron tomography), or 4 years’ experience in conventional TEM imaging. Previous experience in a Core Facility or a highly collaborative laboratory. Additional Preferred Qualifications Evidence of expert knowledge in the maintenance and operation of electron microscopes. Experience with post- or pre-embedding immunogold labeling. Knowledge of study design methodology, data analysis and interpretation of results needed to carry out complex studies. Strong interpersonal skills to deal effectively and persuasively with a wide range of audiences, ranging from researchers to students. Excellent analytical and writing skills to prepare a variety of responses, meeting materials, technical and administrative correspondence, and reports. Strong organizational skills and the ability to prioritize complex tasks. Strong computational skills and experience with analyzing electron micrographs. Experience with data analysis software such as FIJI, photoshop, and any visualization software for volume EM datasets. Time management and organizational skills to work efficiently both independently or as part of a team. Applications: Salary is commensurate with research experience and accomplishments. Appointees may be US citizens, legal permanent residents, and non-residents with or eligible to obtain a valid employment authorized visa. Candidates from all experience backgrounds are encouraged to apply upholding our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusions. Applications from women, minorities and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged. Applicants should send a curriculum vitae with complete bibliography, a cover letter outlining major accomplishments, and contact details for three references. Applications will be accepted via email only from November 2024 through until January 2025, or until the position is filled. To apply, please email your CV and supporting documentation with subject line “EM Core Staff Scientist Application” to Hilina Kibrom at hilina.kibromnih.gov