Higher Scientific Officer / Senior Scientific Officer – CLEM & cryoET Scientist

We are seeking to appoint a CLEM & cryoET scientist with expertise in in situ structural biology  to take a leading role in managing the ICR's exciting new resources and research drive in correlative light & electron microscopy (CLEM) and cryo-electron tomography (cryoET).

Join a fantastic work environment as a key technical and scientific expert enabling cutting-edge advances in structural and molecular biology within the living cell, using light and electron microscopy of vitrified cells and tissues. 

In this role you will provide essential technical expertise in developing methods and workflows in CLEM and cryoET to target cellular processes for structural interrogation; and will train, support and advise a wide range of researchers to ensure these breakthrough methods are best harnessed in the world-class research of the Structural Biology Division and of research groups across the Institute and our partners beyond.

The recent installation of a new suite of sample preparation and cryo-confocal instruments provides excellent resources in addition to the world-class instrumentation in ICR's light microscopy facility and electron microscopy facility. With the support and collaboration of enthusiastic and experienced colleagues in the light and electron microscopy facilities, this is an opportunity to work at the centre of, and to grow, a hub of expertise in in situ structural and molecular biology by CLEM and cryoET.

Key Requirements

The successful candidate will have experience and excellent scientific understanding of the application of light and electron microscopy to in situ structural biology, and can demonstrate the following key abilities:

• Expertise in the preparation of cells on grids via plunge freezing, or tissues by high pressure freezing for cryogenic imaging in a vitreous state.
  
  
• Proven experience in operating advanced light and electron microscopy equipment.
  
  
• Proven experience in cryogenic electron tomography (cryoET) and sub-tomographic averaging, including data collection, tomographic reconstruction and averaging.
  
  
• Experience designing samples and projects using CLEM methods to enable in situ molecular reconstruction.
  
  
• Ability to critically judge the quality/feasibility of cryoET and CLEM projects.
  
  
• Ability to support researchers from different teams in their research projects through training and technical supervision/guidance.
  
  
• Ability to work effectively with facility users, colleagues and contractors, including PhD students, research staff, collaborators, stores and facilities, engineers and visitors.

Department/Directorate Information: