Cryogenic Electron Microscopist support for the Dubochet Center for Imaging

École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne, EPFL; Lausanne; On-site; CHF 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

EPFL, the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne, invites applications for a Cryogenic Electron Microscopist to support the Dubochet Center for Imaging (DCI). The role involves operating and maintaining high-end cryo-EM instruments, providing user training and expert data analysis for SPA and cryo-ET, and contributing to platform development in a dynamic, international environment.

You will collaborate with researchers from EPFL and UNIL, and with external customers, ensuring

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in structural biology or related field with experience in Cryo-EM.
• At least one year of hands-on experience in cryo-EM, including instrument operation, facility support, training, data acquisition, data processing and/or cryo-ET
• Experience with cryo-EM image-processing software such as cryoSPARC, IMOD/eTomo, and Scipion
• Experience with SPA and/or cryo-ET workflows is desirable
• Good understanding of cryo-EM data acquisition and processing workflows
• Excellent communication skills in an English-speaking environment
• Strong motivation to explore new research domains

Responsibilities

• Data acquisition for single-particle analysis (SPA) and cryo-electron tomography (cryo-ET)
• On-the-fly and offline data processing, advanced image processing
• Structure determination and interpretation
• As a cryo-EM support, you will provide technical and scientific support to researchers from EPFL, UNIL as well as external customers, advising users throughout the different stages of their projects, from experimental planning and data acquisition to image processing and structure determination. You will also contribute to the continuous development and improvement of the DCI cryo-EM platform, helping to ensure a high level of service, reliability and performance for its users.

Skills

Excellent communication in English

Service-oriented

Hands-on and practical

Team collaboration

Education

Ph.D. in structural biology or related field

Tools

cryoSPARC

IMOD/eTomo

Scipion

Job description

EPFL, the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne, is one of the most dynamic university campuses in Europe and ranks among the top 20 universities worldwide. The EPFL employs more than 6,500 people supporting the three main missions of the institutions: education, research and innovation. The EPFL campus offers an exceptional working environment at the heart of a community of more than 18,500 people, including over 14,000 students and 4,000 researchers from more than 120 different countries.

Cryogenic Electron Microscopist support for the Dubochet Center for Imaging

Mission

The Cryogenic Electron Microscopist will be responsible for the operation, maintenance and troubleshooting of specialized scientific equipment, including one Glacios and three Titan Krios microscopes, within the cryo-EM core facility of the Dubochet Center for Imaging (DCI).

Main duties and responsibilities

As part of the DCI team, your responsibilities will include:

• Data acquisition for single-particle analysis (SPA) and cryo-electron tomography (cryo-ET)

On-the-fly and offline data processing, advanced image processing

Structure determination and interpretation

As a cryo-EM support, you will provide technical and scientific support to researchers from EPFL, UNIL as well as external customers, advising users throughout the different stages of their projects, from experimental planning and data acquisition to image processing and structure determination. You will also contribute to the continuous development and improvement of the DCI cryo-EM platform, helping to ensure a high level of service, reliability and performance for its users.

Profile

• Ph.D. in tructural biology or related field with experience in Cryo-EM
• At least one year of hands-on experience in cryo-EM, including instrument operation, facility support, training, data acquisition, data processing and/or cryo-ET
• Experience with cryo-EM image-processing software such as cryoSPARC, IMOD/eTomo, and Scipion
• Experience with SPA and/or cryo-ET workflows is desirable
• Good understanding of cryo-EM data acquisition and processing workflows
• Excellent communication skills in an English-speaking environment
• Strong motivation to explore new research domains

We are looking for a person who is:

• Service-oriented, proactive, and enthusiastic
• Practical and hands-on, with the flexibility to thrive in a dynamic, service-oriented platform
• Comfortable with change and able to adapt quickly to evolving priorities and workflows
• Reliable and committed to delivering high-quality results for all types of users and customers
• Collaborative, with clear communication skills and a constructive team spirit
• Able to work independently while contributing effectively to a team environment

We offer

The position is basedin the campus of EPFL and UNIL in Lausanne, Switzerland, and is available from01 January 2027. It will initially be offered as a one-year contract, with the possibility of renewal. The position offers a competitive salary, and EPFL as well as UNIL are committed to being an equal opportunity employer.

The Dubochet Center is currently equipped with three 300 kV Titan Krios with Cold-FEG and Falcon 4i direct electron detectors, and a Glacios 200 kV microscope. You will join a collaborative, international, and diverse research team from UNIL and EPLF with interdisciplinary expertise in biology, physics, computer science, and engineering.