Advanced Imaging Specialist

Interviews will be held on 24th January 2025

Previous applicants need not re-apply

The post will be in the Advanced Imaging Facility of the Centre of Membrane Proteins and Receptors (COMPARE), part of the College of Medicine and Health Technology Hub. The COMPARE Advanced Imaging Facility offers access to state-of-the-art microscopy techniques covering several scales and modalities, from single-molecule microscopy to imaging of large cleared samples, on a mix of commercial, custom and experimental set-ups. The Facility hosts 9 state-of-the art fluorescence microscopes plus access to several custom experimental set-ups.

Role summary

We are seeking a highly motivated Advanced Imaging Specialist to join our vibrant, multidisciplinary team at the Advanced Imaging Facility of the Centre of Membrane Proteins and Receptors (COMPARE), University of Birmingham (UK). COMPARE is a joint multidisciplinary Research Centre of the Universities of Birmingham and Nottingham that brings together world-leading experts in microscopy, biophysics and computer science to investigate the fundamental mechanisms of receptor signalling in physiology and disease. Our Advanced Microscopy Facility hosts 9 state-of-the art fluorescence microscopes (lattice light sheet, Marianas diSPIM, Ultramicroscope II, Nikon N-STORM, 4-camera TIRF, ultrafast FRET/calcium imaging, Nikon N-SIM, ONI Nanoimager) plus several custom experimental set-ups. 

The Advanced Imaging Specialist is a key role in COMPARE, taking responsibility for the management and day-to-day running of the Advanced Microscopy Facility, ensuring maintenance of the equipment and providing training and support to a wide user base. Working with the COMPARE Image Analysis Specialist, they provide comprehensive advice on experimental design, image acquisition and data analysis. They will be the lead microscopist in COMPARE which covers >£4m of specialist light microscopes, many of which are highly innovative and require specialist knowledge of microscopy hardware and image analysis algorithms.

Main Duties

The responsibilities may include some but not all of the responsibilities outlined below.

• Maintain the microscopes in the COMPARE Advanced Microscopy Facility.
• Develop research objectives and proposals for use of the range of specialist microscopes, including advising graduate students, postdoctoral and PIs on the right microscope for each purpose.
• Training of all individuals who wish to use the microscopes.
• Contribute to writing bids for research funding for further specialist microscopes.
• Analyse and interpret data from the advanced microscopes.
• Apply knowledge in a way which develops new intellectual understanding into the organisation of membrane proteins.
• Disseminate research findings for publication, research seminars both internally and externally.
• Provide guidance to PhD students where appropriate to the discipline.
• Contribute to developing new models, techniques and methods.
• Undertake management/administration arising from the use of the microscopes to achieve full cost recovery in five years.

Person Specification

• First degree in area of specialism and normally, a higher degree relevant to research area or equivalent qualifications.
• High level analytical capability.
• Ability to communicate complex information clearly.
• Fluency in relevant models, techniques or methods and ability to contribute to developing new ones.
• Ability to assess resource requirements and use resources effectively.

Informal enquiries to Professor Davide Calebiro D.Calebiro@bham.ac.uk or Dr Adriana Flores-Langarica A.FloresLangarica@bham.ac.uk.

To download the full job description and details of this position and submit an electronic application online please click on the 'Apply' button above.

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We value diversity and inclusion at the University of Birmingham and welcome applications from all sections of the community and are open to discussions around all forms of flexible working.

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