Senior Research Engineer for cryo electron microscopy

Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology 

Umeå University is one of Sweden’s largest institutions of higher education with over 35,000 students and 4,200 faculty and staff. We are characterised by world-leading research in several scientific fields and a multitude of educations ranked highly in international comparison. Umeå University is also the site of the pioneering discovery of the CRISPR-Cas9 genetic scissors – a revolution in genetic engineering that has been awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry.

At Umeå University, everything is nearby. Our cohesive campus environment makes it easy to meet, collaborate and exchange knowledge, which promotes a dynamic and open culture where we rejoice in each other’s successes.

Umeå University is currently seeking a senior research engineer for cryo electron microscopy cryo-EM) to join the Umeå Centre for Electron Microscopy (UCEM) team. The appointment is financed with the support from SciLifeLab, which through the Cryo-EM unit delivers service, user training and access to electron microscopes and image analysis. Application should be submitted before June 7th 2021.

Work tasks
As a senior research engineer you will deliver expertise and support scientists in planning and carrying out electron microscopy (EM) image acquisition and analysis during research projects, mainly in medical and biological research. You will be part of research school teaching and user training in EM. The work includes installation, operation, maintenance and service of instruments and computer systems, and assist researchers with sample preparation, data collection and cryo-EM and tomography image analysis. You will also administrate courses and user support for PhD students and postdocs, and act as a contact person between UCEM and other Swedish and international EM units. Work is scheduled together with the UCEM staff team and conducted individually together with collaborators and unit users. Our working language is English.

Qualifications
We are looking for a person with PhD in structure biology, molecular biology or equal. You have great experiences of EM (TEM, SEM, FIB and/or cryo-EM) sample preparation, instrument operation and image analysis skills. Extensive knowledge and a strong interest in developing your skills in image analysis for 3D electron microscopy (tomography and single particle analyses) is required.

You have the ability to work independently, can be flexible and approach new challenges, such as establish new methods and participate in several parallel projects. It is important that you can collaborate around receiving and transmitting method capabilities, as well as excellent communication skills to freely express yourself in both written and spoken English. You take initiatives, are creative, service-minded and realise the pleasure in helping scientists and research projects to reach results. Emphasis is placed on technical skills (experiences in EM methods and image analysis) as well as a strong personal motivation to work with research infrastructure and service functions.

Instructions for application
An application should contain a personal letter describing the applicant’s motivation, aim with the employment, references to research projects with EM usage, CV, PhD certificate and other relevant diplomas, grades and documents, and provide names and contact details of two referees.  

The application must be submitted before June 7th, 2021. You apply via our e-recruitment system. Please log in and use the link provided below.

Conditions
This is a two-year employment, to be started as soon as possible or upon agreement.

Information
For further information contact UCEM director Linda Sandblad, linda.sandblad@umu.se, tel 070- 9324936

Umeå University wants to offer an equal environment where open dialogue between people with different backgrounds and perspectives lay the foundation for learning, creativity and development. We welcome people with different backgrounds and experiences to apply for the current employment.

We kindly decline offers of recruitment and advertising help.