AIC@Janelia Advanced Microscopy Fellowship
Organization: Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) - Janelia Advanced Imaging Center (AIC)
Position Information:
The AIC Advanced Microscopy Research Associate program offers early career scientists (recent graduates from PhD programs) a unique opportunity at Janelia Research Campus to apply their expert skills in advanced quantitative microscopy techniques including single-molecule imaging, super-resolution microscopy, light sheet microscopy, focused ion-beam scanning electron microscopy, data handling, and image analysis, while learning the key skills needed to manage a large, international, heavily-used core facility. The ideal candidate should have a focused career goal of becoming an intergral part of an shared imaging center in the future. The Research Associate will learn to provide technical consultation to users in selecting and applying the appropriate techniques to a wide range of biological specimens using a variety of experimental approaches, and how to strategize quantitative approaches to imaging. The Research Associate also has the opportunity to identify additional responsibilities that match his/her interests, such as: organizing and teaching microscopy lectures and workshops; organizing microscopy discussion groups/journal clubs; developing protocols for testing equipment performance; designing and/or implementing novel or custom imaging or analysis techniques. The Research Associate will also have superb opportunities to establish contact with visiting scientists from all over the world, paving the way for a successful career path.
This is a term position.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
The Research Associate will work hands-on in the laboratory with AIC users. The Research Associate will learn to be a primary source of applications knowledge and expertise for all AIC users, and will become expert in the operation and use of various AIC instruments, as well as processing and analysis of the resulting data.
Specific responsibilities include:
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Provide technical consultation to prospective applicants to the AIC prior to proposal submission.
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Learn to serve on AIC Technical Review Panel to review the feasibility and technical justification of the submitted proposals.
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Collaborate with AIC users to understand the objectives and requirements of their scientific imaging needs, planning for effective visits to the AIC.
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Coordinate with Janelia shared resources and other ancillary support divisions to facilitate sample shipments into the AIC.
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Work hands-on with AIC users to prepare, fix, label, mount, and image samples, often involving multiple iterations of optimization and evaluation. Analyze samples and approaches to evaluate technical suitability of AIC systems for individual visiting scientists.
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Prepare application-specific tools and techniques to enable imaging, analysis, and data representation to meet user needs.
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Learn to operate, maintain and troubleshoot AIC microscopes at expert level for the benefit of users.
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Optimize microscope configurations for a wide variety of imaging applications and samples.
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Interpret microscopy results to propose and perform subsequent experiments and procedures. This will involve a combination of software analysis tools, collaboration with AIC users, and intuition developed through training and experience in biological imaging.
Qualifications:
Education:
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Ph.D. in Biology, Biochemistry, Optical Physics or related field, or equivalent in education and experience
Experience:
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Hands-on experience in biological sample preparation
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Experience using super resolution, selective plane, confocal, multifocal imaging technologies and/or EM tomographic techniques preferred
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Experience in building microscopes if education is in physics or engineering
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Experience in image processing and analysis methods, including development of custom algorithms, is preferred
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Experience in using scripting languages (e.g. Java, Matlab, Python, C+) is preferred.
Skills and Abilities:
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Ability to troubleshoot and resolve issues with sample preparation, imaging system performance, configuration and usage, in order to produce superior imaging results for AIC users
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Ability to effectively communicate both remotely and in-person (written and verbal) with AIC users, sharing outcomes of evaluations and experiments, and guiding future efforts to optimize results required
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Ability to evaluate proposals for technical feasibility and manage progress on many projects concurrently required
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Ability to perform long, iterative sessions of imaging and analysis and data interpretation required.
Physical Requirements:
Remaining in a normal seated or standing position for extended periods of time; reaching and grasping by extending hand(s) or arm(s); dexterity to manipulate objects with fingers, for example using a keyboard; communication skills using the spoken word; ability to see and hear within normal parameters; ability to move about workspace. The position requires mobility, including the ability to move materials weighing up to several pounds (such as a laptop computer or tablet).
Persons with disabilities may be able to perform the essential duties of this position with reasonable accommodation. Requests for reasonable accommodation will be evaluated on an individual basis.
Please Note:
This job description sets forth the job’s principal duties, responsibilities, and requirements; it should not be construed as an exhaustive statement, however. Unless they begin with the word “may,” the Essential Duties and Responsibilities described above are “essential functions” of the job, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act.