This vacancy is now closed
Job Title Senior EM Scientist
Job Reference DIA0998/CH
Post Type Full time / 3 year, fixed term contract (possibility of permanency)
Division Life Science
Salary information Circa £41k - £55k + Benefits
Application deadline 15/03/2015


Job Description

Diamond Light Source is a 3rd generation synchrotron and a leading scientific facility of its type in the world. Located on the Harwell Science and Innovation Campus in South Oxfordshire, we host research facilities supporting cutting edge research in all fields of science.

The Wellcome Trust with the UK Medical Research and Biotechnology and Biology Research Councils have provided funding to establish a cutting edge National Centre for cryo-electron microscopy for the life sciences at the Diamond Synchrotron close to Oxford.
We seek to build an outstanding team with in depth experience of running a 3D cryo EM facility, ideally with a good appreciation of the methods and application of single particle EM, ordered assemblies, tomography and image processing, as well as analysis and interpretation of EM maps. Part of the mission of the centre is to train and outreach nationally and internationally to cell and structural biology communities, cooperation with CCPEM, EMDB and possibly the local X-ray microscopy beam line.

Duties

The staff scientist’s primary role will be to deliver and support the day-to-day operation of the National electron bio-imaging centre’s (eBIChttp://www.diamond.ac.uk/Science/Integrated-facilities/Electron-Microscopy.html) first high-end microscopes (FEI Titan Krios and FEI Talos) In the set-up phase an important aspect will be the interaction with FEI service engineers in the factory acceptance testing and installation, testing and commissioning. Working closely together with the computational groups at Diamond and hardware suppliers, a priority will be to develop and optimise workflows for single particle EM and tomography by enabling real time feedback loops from initial reconstructions which can then inform subsequent data acquisition. The individual will carry out experiments in support of collaborative projects with affiliated investigators, including EM sample preparation, data collection, and image processing. We seek creative candidates who are interested in studying molecular and/or cellular processes using the tools of electron microscopy and who are interested in working at the interface of cryoEM and X-ray crystallography. Further, there will be a role in supporting the first eBIC users on the Oxford Particle Imaging Centre (OPIC, http://www.opic.ox.ac.uk) FEI Polara electron microscope. Additionally, the post holder will train new users, manage user visits, contribute scientifically to the research through the establishment of their own research programme as well as participating in ongoing programs in the centre.

Qualification & Experience - Essential

  • Appropriate scientific degree;
  • Experience in the operation of transmission electron microscopes (TEMs);
  • Good interpersonal, communication and presentational skills and the ability to interact with staff and facility users at all levels;
  • Ability to work flexibly with occasional out-of hours working both independently and as part of a multi-disciplinary team;
  • Good dexterity and the ability to use fine, delicate instruments;
  • Additional responsibilities for supporting the EM user programme as required.

Qualification & Experience - Desirable

  • Appropriate PhD with relevant experience;
  • Experience in cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) and/or cryo-electron tomography (cryo-ET);
  • Extensive experience in the use of the TEM instruments for high-resolution structural analysis;
  • Experience in sample preparation for cryo-EM/ET;
  • Good organisational and planning skills;
  • Experience in supporting scientists in the conduct of research in a large scale scientific facility;
  • Proven experience in interaction with mechanical workshops for the development of new tools and technologies.

Further Information

Ability to work flexibly with occasional weekend and out-of-hours working.

Applying for employment

For further details on applying for employment at Diamond, please visit our 'Application Form' page.

Appointments will be made depending on the skills and experience of the candidate. Electronic Diamond application forms in MS-Word are preferred. These should be emailed to recruitment@diamond.ac.uk



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