Stellenticket Freie Universität Berlin

We seek a highly communicative, motivated, and experienced specialist to work and coordinate operations in our state-of-the-art Electron Microscopy Facility. This role is pivotal in supporting cutting-edge research within the institute at both tissue and molecular scale. The Electron Microscopy Facility is part of our comprehensive suite of scientific core facilities and is responsible for providing a comprehensive range of services enabling high resolution imaging from the molecular scale (Cryo-EM) to large volume imaging. The facility is equipped with state-of-the-art electron microscopes (https://www.mpi-cbg.de/research/scientific-cores-support/scientific-services/electron-microscopy), enabling detailed structural analyses that drive discoveries in cell biology.

Role and Responsibilities:
We seek candidates at a senior level to coordinate and conduct EM projects and ideally lead the facility immediately or after an orientation phase.

• Manage the facility, including facility budget oversight, operational planning, and staff management. The degree of leadership responsibility will depend on seniority and interest.
• Provide guidance and insights into biology to the Electron Microscopy Facility team, ensuring state-of-the-art services for sample preparation, imaging, and data.
• Perform experiments and provide expert guidance and training to users in electron microscopy techniques, including transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM).
• Contribute to analysis and interpretation of the acquired data.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary research teams to develop and optimize cutting-edge electron microscopy methodologies (CLEM, Cryo-EM, FIB-SEM).
• Contribute to maintaining and expanding the facility's equipment, ensuring peak operational efficiency and staying abreast of technological advancements.
• Drive innovation in electron microscopy applications, bridging molecular, cellular, and tissue scales to support the institute’s research goals.
• Engage in active scientific dialogue within the institute and with external collaborators, fostering a vibrant research community.
• Promote networks with other national and international Facilities and Units.

Required Qualifications:

• PhD in Biology, Biophysics, Biomedical Sciences or a related field, with a strong experience in electron microscopy
• demonstrated expertise in advanced electron microscopy techniques, including sample preparation, imaging, and data interpretation. Our emphasis is on Large Volume Electron Microscopy but applicants with experience in Cryo-Electron Microscopy (Cryo-EM) and/or Correlative Light and Cryo-Electron Microscopy (CLEM) are strongly encouraged to apply if they are willing to build skills in Large Volume Electron Microscopy
• a proven track record of research achievements, including publications in high-impact journals
• strong collaborative and communication skills, with a commitment to fostering interdisciplinary research
• creativity and innovation in developing new microscopy techniques and applications.
• experience in technology development and implementation in the realm of electron microscopy is highly valued
• as we work with different tools across multiple areas, you must be comfortable navigating challenging environments and solving complex problems.
• fluency in English, the working language of the MPI-CBG

Desired scientific experience and experimental skills:

• preferably experience in a core facility
• CLEM (room temperature and preferably cryo)
• freezing techniques (HPF and plungefreezing)
• cemical fixation, freeze substitution, ultramicrotomy (room temperature and preferably cryo)
• TEM tomography (room temperature and preferably cryo)
• standard SEM, Serial Block-Face SEM, and FIB/SEM (room temperature and preferably cryo)
• preferably experience in single particle analysis

• a stimulating, interdisciplinary research environment at a leading international research institute
• access to state-of-the-art facilities and equipment
• opportunities for professional development and career advancement
• a collaborative, collegial atmosphere with a dynamic, supportive research community
• a competitive salary and benefits package commensurate with experience. Remuneration is in accordance with TVöD Bund (salary agreement for public service)
• social benefits of the public service (company pension scheme (VBL), annual special payment, subsidy for VVO job ticket, group accident insurance)
• active measures to promote company health management and work-life balance

The full-time position (39 hours/week) is available immediately. The initial contract is for 2 years with the expectation of prolongation contingent on the agreement of both parties.

Please submit your application, including the following documents:

1. A cover letter detailing your qualifications and research interests.
2. A curriculum vitae (CV) with a list of publications.
3. A brief statement (1-2 pages) of your vision for the Electron Microscopy Facility and how you would contribute to the MPI-CBG research community.
4. Contact information for at least three professional references.

Applications should be submitted electronically as a single PDF file via our online application system stating 2024-EMSpecialist-4110 by 16 August 2024.

We look forward to receiving your application.

Initial questions about the position can be addressed to Jussi Helppi, Services & Facilities Representative, via jhelppi@mpi-cbg.de or Anne Grapin-Botton, Managing Director, via botton@mpi-cbg.de. Questions regarding the application process, contract, compensation or benefits may be addressed to hr@mpi-cbg.de. For further information about the MPI-CBG and the CSBD see www.csbdresden.de, www.mpi-cbg.de.

Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics
Pfotenhauerstr. 108, 01307 Dresden, Germany
http://www.mpi-cbg.de

• The Max Planck Society strives for gender equality and diversity. We welcome applications from all backgrounds, regardless of gender, nationality, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, age, and other components of identity.
• The Max Planck Society specifically aims to increase the proportion of women in the areas in which they are underrepresented. We therefore explicitly invite women to apply.
• The Max Planck Society is further committed to increasing the number of individuals with disabilities in its workforce and therefore encourages applications from such qualified individuals.
• The Max Planck Society supports the compatibility of family and career and is certified according to the "berufundfamilie" (“job and family”) audit.
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