Deadline: 2019-08-30

Location: Heidelberg, Germany

External link: https://www.embl.de/jobs/searchjobs/index.php?ref=HD01569&newlang=1&loc[]=1

Type: Professor/Group leader

Due to rapid developments in new imaging technologies, the pace of biological and medical discoveries has increased at an unprecedented speed in the 21st century. For the first time, high-resolution electron and light microscopy technologies enable us to directly visualise the molecular machinery of life under native conditions. Consequently, cutting-edge microscopy is becoming a central technological platform for the life sciences. Currently, few scientists have access to the latest imaging technologies, as the instruments are complex in their development, set-up, maintenance and usage. EMBL is currently constructing the EMBL Imaging Centre to make the latest non-commercial imaging technologies available as quickly as possible to a broad, international user community of researchers from academia to industry. A broad spectrum of imaging technologies covering the scales from structure determination of single protein complexes to imaging whole organisms will be offered, with a special emphasis on cross modality capabilities (correlative microscopy) and bespoke user project support from sample preparation to image analysis provided by dedicated expert service staff.

Your role

The successful applicant will lead the EMBL IC Electron Microscopy Team comprising microscopy engineers and application specialists, in close collaboration with the Advanced Light Microscopy Team.

Both teams have the mission of highest-level user service provision and technology development to continuously improve the services. Jointly they will provide service to external users from Europe and beyond in imaging technologies ranging from electron microscopy, to correlative light and electron microscopy, to advanced light microscopy.

Electron microscopy technologies will cover all scales from single-particle cryo-electron microscopy and cryo-tomography to (cryo-)CLEM and cellular electron microscopy.

In addition to organising and providing highest quality service, the future Team Leader in Electron Microscopy should have a strong interest in technology development in order to maintain the technology at the cutting edge and extend the EMBL IC’s service portfolio to enable new biological research applications. The technology development activities should take advantage of close collaborations with the excellent instrumentation development and biological research groups at EMBL, as well as EMBL’s Advanced Light Microscopy and Electron Microscopy Core Facilities, and EMBL’s mechanical and electronic workshops. A joint appointment with EMBL’s Structural and Computational Biology Unit is foreseen to foster these interactions.

The EMBL IC will regularly organise international courses to train scientists in advanced microscopy methods and actively collaborate with industrial partners to develop new applications and workflows. The successful candidate should be able to work creatively and independently, be well organised, rigorous, and enjoy working in an international team within a highly collaborative atmosphere.

Prior to opening of the new EMBL IC building in 2021, the successful candidate will build up the EMBL IC Electron Microscopy team and, supported by the EMBL IC (Project) Management, prepare for full service operation by building onto the experience of the cryo-EM service platform at EMBL Heidelberg.

You have

  • PhD in physics, engineering, the life sciences or related disciplines.
  • In depth knowledge and broad experience in cryo-electron microscopy and cryo-electron tomography methods including data processing and analysis.
  • Excellent organisational and communication skills.
  • Strong management skills to manage a team of technical and scientific personnel.
  • Fluency in English.

You might also have

  • Experience in user support in microscopy facilities.

Why join us

EMBL is an inclusive, equal opportunity employer offering attractive conditions and benefits appropriate to an international research organisation with a very collegial and family friendly working environment. The remuneration package comprises a competitive salary, a comprehensive pension scheme, medical, educational and other social benefits. Excellent child care facility is available on campus.

What else you need to know

We are Europe’s flagship research laboratory for the life sciences – an intergovernmental organisation performing scientific research in disciplines including molecular biology, physics, chemistry and computer science. We are an international, innovative and interdisciplinary laboratory with more than 1600 employees from many nations, operating across six sites, in Heidelberg (HQ), Barcelona, Hinxton near Cambridge, Hamburg, Grenoble and Rome.

Our mission is to offer vital services in training scientists, students and visitors at all levels; to develop new instruments and methods in the life sciences and actively engage in technology transfer activities, and to integrate European life science research.

The working language of the institute is English.

In your online application, you will be asked to include a cover letter, CV and a concise description of research interests and future research plans. You will also be asked to provide contact details of 3 referees. We will then get in touch with your referees to request letters of recommendation.

Further information about the position can be obtained from the Stephanie Alexander (stephanie.alexander@embl.de), project manager of the EMBL IC.

Interviews are planned for 24/25 September 2019.