Microscopy Director of Operations

Job Description - Microscopy Director of Operations (3308350)

Summary:

The Ragon Institute is a highly unique, innovative, and collaborative research center at the forefront of biomedical science. Founded by Massachusetts General Hospital, MIT, and Harvard, the Ragon vision is to harness the power of the immune system to prevent and cure human disease on a global scale. This vision is pursued and advanced every day by a group of highly motivated individuals. The Ragon Institute depends upon collaboration, compassion, dedication, and innovation. It is a results-oriented organization that seeks people who embrace these values and thrive in teams.

In this role, the Microscopy Director will oversee the daily operations and financial solvency of the Ragon’s current microscopy core and play a critical role in evolving and growing the facility. The Director will manage state-of-the-art fluorescence microscopy equipment, supporting a wide range of scientific research across multiple disciplines, including immunology, tissue biology, cell biology, and microbiology. They will ensure the facility operates at the highest standards, providing technical expertise, training, and support to researchers, and driving innovation in imaging techniques and technologies.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

Leadership and Oversight:

• Develop and implement a strategic plan for the facility, ensuring it stays at the forefront of microscopy technology and research capabilities.
• Compare the core to peer institutions’ resources through benchmarking studies.
• Identify appropriate facility operating metrics and regularly analyze data.
• Develop a process to track core utilization and optimization.
• Present programmatic and financial data analysis on core performance to various audiences.
• Advise the Executive Team and Faculty regarding the scientific appropriateness and value of current/new equipment for the core.
• Ensure compliance with MGH, Ragon, and US Federal regulations as they apply to core facilities.

Facility Management and Operations:

• Lead and manage all microscopy operations, ensuring the smooth functioning and availability of instruments, technology platforms, and services to researchers.
• Determine and write user policies for the facility.
• Stay updated on the latest microscopy advancements and disseminate best practices across the research community.
• Develop educational programs, workshops, and seminars to enhance the knowledge and skills of microscopy users within the organization.
• Lead the training and mentorship of scientists, students, and staff in microscopy techniques, image acquisition, and analysis.

Research Support and Collaboration:

• Work closely with researchers to design and optimize microscopy experiments, providing guidance on the best imaging techniques, protocols, and analyses.
• Collaborate with investigators to develop novel imaging approaches and methods.
• Act as a liaison between the microscopy core and research groups, ensuring services align with the evolving needs of the scientific community.
• Collaborate with the Ragon Finance Team and Imaging Committee in creating business plans and yearly budgets.
• Monitor budgets to ensure fiscal solvency.
• Report on core performance; investigate and provide resolution options to remedy variances from expected to actual business and performance indicators.
• Maintain accurate records of facility usage for reporting and billing purposes.
• Oversee safety protocols and ensure compliance with all relevant regulations regarding the use of microscopes and related technologies.

Equipment Management and Innovation:

• Oversee the maintenance, calibration, and upgrades of all microscopy equipment.
• Drive innovation by introducing new microscopy technologies and advanced techniques.
• Collaborate with vendors to evaluate and acquire new instruments that enhance the facility’s capabilities.
• Advise the space committee around the physical space requirements for institutional shared research cores.

Data Management and Analysis:

• Oversee data acquisition, processing, and image analysis workflows.
• Implement and provide support for advanced image analysis software and tools.
• Promote the integration of microscopy data with other scientific datasets.

Grant Writing and Funding:

• Support researchers in the preparation of grant applications.
• Lead and contribute to the development of facility-based grants.

Education:

• PhD in biology, biophysics, biomedical engineering, or a related field with significant experience in advanced microscopy techniques.

Experience:

• 7+ years of experience in fluorescence microscopy, with a strong record of publications or research contributions.
• Extensive experience in managing or directing a microscopy core facility or research laboratory.
• Proven ability to collaborate with and support researchers in designing microscopy experiments.
• Prior experience in an academic setting highly preferred.

Skills:

• Deep expertise in advanced microscopy techniques and imaging modalities.
• Proficient in microscopy software and image analysis tools.
• Strong leadership and management skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to troubleshoot complex technical issues.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Significant experience with light and fluorescence microscopy.
• Experience in quantitative image analysis.
• Experience with grant writing and securing funding.

Work Setting: M-F, 8:30 am – 5 pm, on-site.

Massachusetts General Hospital is an Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religious creed, national origin, sex, age, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation, military service, genetic information, and/or other status protected under law.