Electron Microscopy Technician

Job description

We have an exciting opportunity at King’s College London (KCL), UK, for an experienced, enthusiastic, and adaptable Electron Microscope Technician to join our busy team in the Centre for Ultrastructural Imaging (CUI) on a 9-month contract. The CUI is one of the Core Facilities within the Research Management and Innovation Directorate (RMID) and provides access to some of the most advanced electron microscopy equipment in Europe.

The post holder will work on multiple projects covering various disciplines (cell biology, neurology, infectious disease, material science and many more), to deliver outstanding imaging data to members of King’s College London, other academic institutions, and industrial collaborators. It is essential that the successful candidate has prior experience in various electron microscopy sample preparation techniques such as chemical processing for scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM and TEM), ultramicrotomy, high pressure freezing, and freeze substitution. The role holder should also be keen to learn and have an interest in developing new skills to support a broad range of EM techniques.  

This post will be offered on a 9-month contract.

This is a full-time post - 100% full time equivalent.

Skills, knowledge, and experience

Essential Criteria

• BSc/MSc, or equivalent experience in Electron Microscopy or related subject.
• Practical experience of working in Electron Microscopy in a basic research setting. 
• Have an in-depth knowledge of current methods and procedures for both specimen preparation and imaging technology (e.g., SEM and TEM, ultramicrotomy, high-pressure freezing, freeze substitution).
• Expertise in protocol optimisation and previous responsibility for experimental design.
• Experience using various imaging modalities (eg. TEM, SEM).
• Excellent communication, orally and in writing and ability to communicate effectively with colleagues, clients, and industry partners.
• Detailed and focused approach, ability to record and manage data accurately, and in accordance with GDPR and legislation requirements. 
• Proactive and flexible, able to meet strict deadlines and respond to shifting priorities.
• Willing to learn new techniques and skills to support service delivery.
• Good understanding of Health and Safety practices in a laboratory setting and knowledge of legal requirements and relevant policies, including the Human Tissue Authority Legislation and COSHH.

Desirable criteria

• Previous experience in SBF-EM, array tomography, Tokuyasu, CEMOVIS, CLEM and cryo techniques.
• Previous experience in teaching/training new users.
• Experience of EM data handling and processing.

Further information

This role is lab based and will be offered on a full time, 9-month fixed term contract.