Cryo-Electron Microscopy Facility Manager

VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY

A Facility Manager position is available for the new Cryo-Electron Microscopy at VCU. The Facility has a ThermoFisher Tundra Cryo-EM instrument and ancillary equipment. The Manager will report to the Faculty Director and carry out the following functions:

Maintenance, ordering, and day-to-day upkeep of the cryo-EM Facility. Prepare samples, operate microscope, and collect and analyze data for core laboratory customers (assisted use). Provide training on negative staining, cryo-EM, data collection, and initial image processing for 3D reconstruction. Engage in thorough scientific record keeping of sample preparation, operating sessions, and instrument events. Participate in grant writing for future instrument upgrades. Allocate and track time usage, apply user charges, purchasing and budget administration. Interact with and take directions from the faculty core Director. Prepare the annual Research Performance Progress Report. Develop and follow facility standard operating procedures.

Minimum Hiring Standards: 

MSc degree in structural biology or a closely related field with two or more years hands-on experience in cryo-EM and image processing. Excellent verbal and written communication skills; personable. Core laboratory customer interaction and service is a major component of the role. Excellent organization skills and ability to maintain accurate laboratory records  The candidate should have demonstrated experience working in and fostering a diverse faculty, staff, and student environment or commitment to do so as a staff member at VCU.

Preferred Hiring Standards:

PhD with hands-on experience in cryo-EM and image processing for 5 years or more Track record of publications in the areas of cryo-EM, single-particle image processing, 3D reconstruction, and building of atomic models of proteins. Experience in hardware of linux systems and cryo-EM image processing/model building software such as cryosparc, Relion, penix, and coot. Prior experience in a centralized core facility or shared resource, preferably at a managerial level.

Additional Employment Information

All full-time university staff are eligible for our generous benefits package that includes choices for health, vision, and dental coverage, life insurance, short and long-term disability coverage, retirement planning, tax-deferred annuity, and cash match programs, flexible spending accounts, tuition benefits, significant paid-time off, 12 paid holidays and more.  

Explore our robust benefit package here: https://hr.vcu.edu/current-employees/benefits/
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