Director of operations CIME

European Microscopy Society; Lausanne; Vor Ort; CHF 160.000 - 230.000; Vollzeit

Zusammenfassung

EPFL in Lausanne seeks a dynamic Director of Operations to lead the Central Electron Microscopy Facility (CIME). You will head a multidisciplinary team and drive strategic development, ensuring excellence in science, technique, and operations while expanding external collaborations.

The role emphasizes leadership, training, and budget management, with a focus on advancing high-end EM capabilities for the EPFL community and industry partners.

Qualifikationen

• PhD or equivalent experience in materials science, physics, chemistry, or related field.
• Proven expertise in advanced electron microscopy techniques (TEM, SEM, FIB, tomography, cryo-EM, or in-situ EM).
• Experience leading multidisciplinary teams and building collaborations across institutions.
• Strong commitment to education and training at Master and Doctoral levels.

Aufgaben

• Lead and manage the CIME team (scientific, technical, and administrative staff).
• Oversee maintenance, upgrade, and operation of SEM, TEM, FIB, cryo-EM infrastructure.
• Develop strategic vision for the platform in coordination with AVP-Platforms and user community.
• Ensure efficient user support, training, and education at all levels.
• Foster collaborations within EPFL and with external partners (academia and industry).
• Manage operational budget, resource allocation, and long-term investment planning.

Kenntnisse

Leadership

Team management

Strategic thinking

Communication

Ausbildung

PhD in materials science/physics/chemistry

Tools

TEM

SEM

FIB

Cryo-EM

Jobbeschreibung

Director of operations CIME

EPFL, the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne,

EPFL is seeking a dynamic and experienced scientist or engineer to head its Central Electron Microscopy Facility (CIME).

The head of CIME will lead a multidisciplinary platform providing state-of-the-art electron microscopy services, training, and collaborative research support to the EPFL community and external partners. The successful candidate will create a vision for the strategic development of the platform, driving its implementation while ensuring excellence in scientific, technical, and operational performance, and will manage the personnel associated with this facility.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Lead and manage the CIME team (scientific, technical, and administrative staff).
• Lead maintenance, upgrade, and optimal operation of the electron microscopy infrastructure (SEM, TEM, FIB, cryo-EM, etc.).
• Develop and implement the strategic vision of the platform in coordination with the AVP-Platforms and user community.
• Ensure efficient user support, training, and education at all levels (students, researchers, industry users).
• Foster collaborations across EPFL schools (STI, SB, SV, INC, ENAC) and with external partners (academia and industry).
• Manage the operational budget, resource allocation, and long‑term investment planning.

Requirements

• PhD or equivalent experience in materials science, physics, chemistry, or related fields.
• Proven expertise in advanced electron microscopy techniques (TEM, SEM, FIB, tomography, cryo-EM, or in-situ EM)
• Active engagement in the electron microscopy community, including regular participation in conferences, workshops, user meetings, and professional societies, with the ability to build and maintain scientific and technical collaborations that support the facility's mission.
• Strong commitment to education and training, with experience in/or demonstrable appetite for teaching and supervising at Master and Doctoral School levels;
• Strong leadership and interpersonal skills, with demonstrated ability to motivate and manage multidisciplinary teams.
• Strategic thinking, with the ability to balance scientific excellence and operational efficiency.
• Excellent communication skills in English; working knowledge of French is a strong asset
• Demonstrated capabilities of leading an infrastructure or facility is an advantage.
• Experience with academic and industrial collaborations is an advantage.

We offer

• A stimulating, interdisciplinary environment at one of Europe's leading research institutions.
• Access to cutting-edge facilities and a broad network of experts.
• Opportunities to shape the future of advanced microscopy at EPFL.
• Competitive salary and benefits according to EPFL standards

Contact

[e-mail]

Contract Start Date : 08/01/2027 or to be discussed/negotiated

Activity Rate : 100.00

Contract Type: CDI

Reference: 2312

European Microscopy Society (EMS)

Contact: [e-mail]