Research engineer to the cryo-EM research community - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Cryo-EM at Lund University

A growing group of researchers at Lund University are using cryo-electron microscopy, especially in its "single-particle" form, to investigate their structural biological problems. These researchers are active mainly at the Faculties of Medicine and Science, but the infrastructure is open to everyone.  We work closely with the national facility for cryo-EM at SciLifeLab, with microscopes and expertise in Stockholm and Umeå. At the time of writing, Lund University does not have a microscope with an automatic sample changer of the type available at SciLifeLab, but we are constantly working to obtain funding for such an instrument. In parallel with this, we are working to create a unique environment in Sweden for sample preparation with state-of-the-art, innovative instrumentation. Data processing takes place on dedicated computers and at Lund University's computing cluster LUNARC.

We are now looking for an experienced and service-oriented research engineer to assist the local cryo-EM research community and help the university in its efforts to build new infrastructure.

We offer

Lund University is a government agency, which means that you receive special benefits, generous holidays and a favorable occupational pension. We also have a flexitime agreement that creates good conditions for a balance between work and leisure.

Read more about Lund University Here

Duties and responsibilities

As a research engineer, you will work within a relatively new investment in infrastructure for cryo-EM research infrastructure at Lund University. You will, among other things. contribute to the expertise in cryo-EM sample preparation, data collection, data processing and structure determination. An important task will be to assist and increase the competence of researchers regarding analysis of cryo-EM data. By assisting in the work of coordinating Lund University's cryo-EM BAG (Block Allocation Group) at SciLifeLab in Stockholm and Umeå, you will contribute to strengthening the collaboration between cryo-EM users at the university. You are also expected to coordinate data processing and storage with the local competence center for scientific and technical computing at Lund University (LUNARC) and image processing needs and resources with the research infrastructure ‘Correlative Image Processing and Imaging’ (CIPA). You are also expected to organize regular meetings of the local research group to discuss theoretical and practical issues surrounding their research.

Work with us

50% of the position is funded by SciLifeLab and you will be an integral part of the national SciLifeLab team. SciLifeLab's operations manager within cryo-EM will guide you in the part of the position that is financed by SciLifeLab and you will be trained by facility staff at Stockholm University and Umeå University. Your duties within SciLifeLab’s part of the position will be to

• Guide Lund University's researchers in method selection and in improving sample preparation for cryo-EM
• Screen cryo-EM samples, either on Lund University's facilities or on SciLifeLab's instruments
• Document technical information regarding ongoing cryo-EM projects in collaboration with the research groups at the university that use the cryo-EM facility

Educate users of the cryo-EM facility in the practical handling of samples and instruments.

• Assist and guide users in image data analysis
• Participate in courses and group meetings together with SciLifeLab cryo-EM facility staff and pass on new knowledge to the environment at Lund university

You will also be expected to participate in Lund University's efforts in finding funding for new instrumentation for cryo-EM.

Qualifications
We are looking for an experienced and driven person, who is easy to work with and who works well in a complex environment.

It is a requirement that you have:

• a university education in structural biology, protein biochemistry or equivalent
• experience of cryo-EM work, from sample preparation to freezing of biological samples
• experience of screening samples at state-of-the-art electron microscopes such as Talos, Glacios and Krios.

Experience of collaborating with stakeholders with different backgrounds ability to express yourself well in speech and writing in English

Personal suitability is of great importance. As a person, you are service-oriented, driven and easy to work with, and you see what needs to be done and deliver. You can take on different types of operational tasksbut also do not mind working with less advanced tasks.

It is of merit if you have:

• experience in maintaining computers and software
• publications where cryo-EM has been used
• experience of protein production and characterization

Additional

We are looking for a research engineer for a fixed-term employment for 2 years starting 1 March 2022 or by agreement.