CORE Lab Specialist.1010974

Core Laboratory Specialist – Electron Microscopy (Cryo and Materials Science)

Job Purpose
The Core Laboratory Specialist for Electron Microscopy (EM) is tasked with delivering high-quality technical support to users of the Materials Science (MS) and cryo-EM Facilities. This role encompasses a wide range of responsibilities related to the daily operations, including managing equipment, training users, and ensuring compliance with Khalifa University’s (KU’s) Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) regulations for the proper and safe use of equipment and materials. Additionally, the EM Specialist will foster a culture of continuous improvement to maintain excellent research user services within the Research Core Laboratories.

Key Roles & Responsibilities

1. Laboratory Safety
   Drive practices and metrics, which ensure that the Materials Science (MS)-EM and cryo-EM Facilities operate in compliance with all aspects of Khalifa University EHS policies.
2. Laboratory Operations
   Responsible for the daily operation, maintenance, and user training. This role includes working closely with faculty, students, and researchers to provide technical support in EM experiments, sample preparation, data collection, and analysis. The successful candidate will contribute to the research and educational mission of the university by enabling high-quality data generation and analysis of applications through the application of electron microscopy.
3. Key Responsibilities:
   
   1. Provide a safe environment for the use of sample preparation and EM equipment.
   2. Operate sample preparation and EM equipment.
   3. Provide EM expertise, including data collection, structure determination, refinement, and analysis.
   4. Assist and train faculty, students, and researchers in the use of sample preparation and EM equipment.
   5. Ensure sample preparation and EM equipment are functioning optimally, performing routine maintenance as needed.
   6. Manage and schedule usage of sample preparation and EM equipment.
   7. Stay updated with the latest developments in EM techniques.
   8. Support interdisciplinary research teams to design and implement EM based experiments.
   9. Maintain detailed records of experiments, instrument logs, and maintenance activities.
4. Resource Management
   Assist in the determination of fiscal requirements and in the preparation of budgetary recommendations, including recommending capital equipment expenditures, ensure appropriate resource levels, and comply with organizational expenditure requirements.
   Supervise the inventory of commonly used lab supplies, maintenance parts and any other items related to research lab operations.
   Evaluate technical requirements based on bids received from potential vendors for purchase of lab equipment.
   Ensure information on lab website is kept up to date including all training schedules, equipment schedules and equipment descriptions.
   Guide the faculty and researchers on the purchase of consumables and accessories for equipment usage.
   Recommend appropriate training courses as per the user research interests.
5. Research Services
   Contribute to the continued innovation and development of the research program.
   Maintain liaison with investigators, research personnel and staff to solve specific operating problems and improve technical activities.
6. Other
   Proven track record in material science and cryo-electron microscopy, utilizing various Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) techniques and associated analytical tools.
   Adhere to the University's information security and confidentiality policies and procedures, and report breaches or other security risks accordingly.
   Coordinate with other departments to facilitate the accomplishment of tasks and responsibilities related to the operations of the Research Laboratories department.
   Demonstrate a strong commitment and practice to maintaining a safe and healthy work environment.
   Perform any other tasks assigned by the Line Manager.