Principal Electron Microscopy Scientist

Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Oxfordshire – based onsite.

Full time / Flexible hours considered.

About Us
The electron Bio-Imaging Centre (eBIC) at Diamond Light Source is the UK National Centre for cryo-electron microscopy in the life sciences. eBIC provides scientists with state-of-the-art equipment and expertise in the field of cryo-electron microscopy (CryoEM), for single particle analysis, cryo-electron tomography and electron crystallography. Together with eBIC for Industry, our site hosts eight TEM microscopes for the life sciences (5 Titan Krios's, 1 Talos Arctica, 2 Glacios's), 2 Dual Beam SEM’s capable of lamella milling (Scios and Aquilos 2 with cryo lift out) and a Leica cryoCLEM.

Diamond Light Source is the UK’s national synchrotron facility and as such, eBIC benefits from the synchrotron’s extensive user and data management resources for CryoEM and opportunities to collaborate with state-of-the-art beamlines at Diamond. Furthermore, eBIC and Diamond’s location at Harwell provides a unique environment to accelerate the development of the technique with partnerships in place with the Rosalind Franklin Institute (additional cutting-edge cryoEM instruments), the Research Complex at Harwell and CCP-EM).

About the Role
We now have an opportunity at group-leader level for a Principal EM Scientist to underpin and further develop eBIC as a leading centre for cryoEM. eBIC together with B24, which provides a full-field cryo X-ray transmission microscope and a bespoke 3D super resolution fluorescence cryo-imaging microscope, makeup the Biological Cryo-Imaging group at Diamond. We work closely with the Imaging and Microscopy group at Diamond, in particular ePSIC, the physical sciences electron imaging centre. We provide an extraordinarily strong imaging platform for using electrons, X-rays and visible light to image a diverse range of samples across a range of length and time scales.

As a Principal EM Scientist at eBIC you will lead a small team of scientists to establish a competitive research programme which exploits the capabilities of eBIC and Diamond in general and to take part in the management of the operation, maintenance, and development of eBIC. We are particularly keen to attract applicants with an interest in cryo-ET and correlative imaging.

To facilitate establishing your research programme, funding for a post-doctoral research fellow is available, subject to a suitable case being made, as well as the opportunity for PhD studentships within Diamond’s PhD programme. Diamond’s scientific software, controls and computation department provides support and development in data acquisition and analysis across all instruments and the applicant will have the opportunity to work closely with these groups to deliver software projects. On the wetlab side, eBIC has state-of-the-art laboratories for structural and cellular biology including specialised platforms for integral membrane proteins. Instrumentation and software development is facilitated by dedicated support from Diamond’s computing, engineering, and scientific software groups as well as partnerships with CCP-EM and the recently established Rosalind Franklin Institute amongst others.

We also expect candidates to apply for external grant funding through national and international funding agencies to take full advantage of the stimulating and exciting research environment at Diamond.

About You
You will hold an appropriate first degree and higher (PhD, MSc) degree or demonstrate significant equivalent experience.

Suitable candidates will have expertise and a track-record in cryoEM methods. A strong background in cryoEM and/or cryoET instrumentation and software development and user service and communication are desirable. You will demonstrate the ability to lead your own research project, to manage a small team and to manage budgets and resources for beamline operations and upgrade projects.

Benefits
Diamond offers an exceptional benefits package to support staff in achieving a positive work/life balance. This includes 26 days annual leave plus Christmas closure, public holidays, 2 annual volunteering days and flexible working hours. We also offer an excellent defined benefit pension scheme. Staff also have access to a range of amenities on site including a nursery, cafes, a restaurant and sports and leisure facilities. A relocation allowance may also be available where applicable.

To Apply
Please use the online application process to apply (available on the organisation's website, accessed by the 'Apply' button) and tell us why you believe you are suitable for this role and should include a summary of current and future research plans (max 3 pages). 

The initial closing date for applications is 12th May 2024, however applications will be reviewed and interviewed on an ongoing basis until this vacancy is filled.