Specialist - Research-Fixed Term

Working/Functional Title

Staff Scientist

Position Summary

The Ideal Candidate:

• Proficient in vitrification of biological samples, with hands-on experience using robotic devices such as a Vitrobot IV or a Leica GP2 plunger
• Skilled in single-particle analysis (SPA) and tilt series data collection using automated software (ex: EPU, TOMO5, and/or Leginon or SerialEM)
• Proficient in cryoEM/ET data processing (ex: CryoSPARC, RELION, and/or IMOD) 
  • For example, must be able to do on-the-fly motion correction and simple 2D classification to analyze grid quality in real time
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills and commitment to user support 

Job Responsibilities:

• Provide support to users with daily operations of instruments, including a Talos Arctica, Titan Krios, and Helios Hydra microscopes
• Prepare sample grids for researchers. Follow established data processing workflows for SPA and subtomogram averaging
• Ordering supplies and consumables for facility operations (e.g. grids, liquid nitrogen, etc.)
• Offer hands-on training for users on instrument operation and sample preparation techniques
• Troubleshoot facility situations as needed (e.g. handle chiller problems, autoloader problems, camera offline issues, assist in contacting service engineers, etc.) 
• Maintain current content for facility website

This is mainly a service position and occasional opportunities for collaboration may present themselves. This role will report directly to the Senior Staff Scientist overseeing day-to-day operations of the Cryo-EM Core Facility. 

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.

Required Degree

Doctorate

Minimum Requirements

Desired Qualifications

• Postdoctoral or post degree staff scientist experience is preferred but not required. 

Required Application Materials

• Resume / CV
• Cover letter
• three professional references. 

Special Instructions

Please review your application carefully to make sure all requirements are met. 

Job Description Posting Language

As an institution of higher learning, Michigan State University is committed to providing a safe environment for its students, faculty, and staff in support of its educational mission. With this commitment, the University conducts criminal background checks and professional misconduct reviews of all applicants for employment in faculty, academic staff, and executive management searches.

Professional Misconduct Review

A professional misconduct review is a prerequisite for a candidate to be selected for this position. Applicants will be asked to disclose whether they are subject to any pending investigation, findings or sanctions related to professional misconduct. Professional misconduct includes misconduct related to a person’s employment, including, but not limited to, theft, embezzlement, research integrity, discrimination, or harassment under civil rights laws and policies, including protected identity harassment, sexual harassment, sexual misconduct (sexual assault, sexual exploitation, dating violence, domestic violence, stalking, etc.), and retaliation. All applicants will be asked to sign an authorization and release, which authorizes the University to contact the candidate’s current and former employers, for a period of 7 years prior to the date of application, related to any pending investigations, findings of responsibility and/or sanctions related to professional misconduct. Nothing will be sent to current or former employers unless the candidate reaches the semi-finalist stage.

The existence of professional misconduct history does not automatically exclude a candidate from employment. The University will assess the information, including any information provided by the candidate, in determining whether the candidate is fit for the position. The University may decline to hire a candidate based on the professional misconduct review. All records obtained from external employers will be kept in a secure location, separate from personnel files. If an applicant fails to sign the authorization and release, the application will be deemed incomplete and will be withdrawn.

Website

HTTPS://CRYO-EM.NATSCI.MSU.EDU/ABOUT/INDEX.ASPX

Department Statement

The Cryo-EM facility is associated with the MSU Research Technology Support Facility (RTSF). RTSF provides five core facilities in addition to the Cryo-EM facility. RTSF facilities are available to all MSU researchers. The core instrument of the Cryo-EM facility is the state-of-the-art Talos Arctica transmission electron microscope. The Cryo-EM facility is located on the south end of campus in the Engineering Research Complex (map).

MSU Statement

Michigan State University has been advancing the common good with uncommon will for more than 160 years. One of the top research universities in the world, MSU pushes the boundaries of discovery and forges enduring partnerships to solve the most pressing global challenges while providing life-changing opportunities to a diverse and inclusive academic community through more than 200 programs of study in 17 degree-granting colleges.