Cryo-EM specialist

Work group:

ER-C-3 - Strukturbiologie

Area of research:

Scientific / postdoctoral posts

Job description:

The Ernst Ruska-Centre for Microscopy and Spectroscopy with Electrons (ER-C) at Forschungszentrum Jülich houses some of the world`s most advanced electron microscopes and tools for nanocharacterisation. Our scientific research combines current issues in condensed matter physics and cryo-EM on biomacromolecules with the aim of advancing electron microscopy methods. Under one roof, the ER-C has a total of 15 electron microscopes including the PICO FEI Titan with a point resolution of 0.5 Å. The facility has been extended with state-of-the-art cryo-microscopes ThermoFisher Titan Krios, Talos Arctica both equipped with a Bioquantum K3 and Talos 120 as well as FIB-SEM Aquilos 2. At the Ernst Ruska-Centre for Microscopy and Spectroscopy with Electrons - Structural Biology (ER-C-3) we investigate the structural and molecular mechanism of membrane biology processes and push the development of cryo-EM related methodology. Our campus in Jülich hosts a vibrant electron microscopy, biophysics and structural biology community.

Your Job:

• Prepare and optimize cryo-EM samples
• Acquire data, evaluate and assess data for in-house and external users carrying out structural biology projects, with the following possible focus areas: 3D image processing of single-particle and/or tomography data and/or FIB-SEM operation for the preparation of cryo-FIB lamellae of vitrified cells
• Co-develop novel acquisition workflows and/or processing schemes tailored to advancing cryo-EM projects
• Participate in improving methodology for high-resolution cryo-EM structure determination at the ER-C3 for structural biology
• Dissemination of cryo-EM knowhow including dedicated trainings and courses

Your Profile:

• Masters degree in biology, physics or related field
• Strong communication skills and ability to work with internal colleagues and external visitors in an international and interdisciplinary team
• Experience in cryo-electron microscopy in structural biology or material science
• Experience with microscopy hardware and/or common single-particle software packages running in an HPC environment so that you can help other users and establish new routines for the cryo-EM workflow

Our Offer:

We work on the very latest issues that impact our society and are offering you the chance to actively help in shaping the change. We support you in your work with:

• The chance to work at one of the largest research centers in Germany, with excellent scientific equipment and leading European computational resources, located on a green campus, and near the cultural centers Köln, Düsseldorf, and Aachen. The Jülich campus also hosts a vibrant biophysics, bioinformatics and structural biology community.
• Direct access to high-level cryo-EM infrastructure at the Ernst-Ruska Centre. The facility has been extended with state-of-the-art cryo-microscopes and FIB-SEMs of ThermoFisher Titan Krios, Talos Arctica and FIB-SEM Aquilos 2. Future extension of an ERC 2.0 facility already in planning.
• Excellent manufacturer support and very rapid response time for equipment maintenance and development in the context of the large Ernst-Ruska Center facility
• The development within a long-term supported scientific infrastructure is embedded in competitive structural biology research.
• Working in a dynamic team of researchers with backgrounds in different disciplines across biology, chemistry, physics and informatics to advance cryo-EM methods
• Full-time position with the option of slightly reduced working hours and 30 days of annual leave
• Targeted services for international employees, e.g. through our International Advisory Service

We offer you an exciting and varied role in an international and interdisciplinary working environment. The position is initially for a fixed term of 2 years, with possible long-term prospects. Salary and social benefits in conformity with the provisions of the Collective Agreement for the Civil Service (TVöD).Forschungszentrum Jülich promotes equal opportunities and diversity in its employment relations.We also welcome applications from disabled persons.

This research center is part of the Helmholtz Association of German Research Centers. With more than 42,000 employees and an annual budget of over € 5 billion, the Helmholtz Association is Germany's largest scientific organisation.