Beamline Technician (IMCA-CAT & AUI, Inc)

Nonprofit HR; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous benefits package

Job summary

Nonprofit HR is seeking a skilled beamline technician to accelerate pharmaceutical drug discovery through synchrotron-based structural biology research. Located near Chicago, IL, the position involves commissioning the upgraded beamline, managing experiments, and developing innovative technologies.

The ideal candidate has a BS/BA in a technical field, experience with high vacuum and electrical systems, and is proactive and collaborative. A competitive compensation package and generous benefits are included.

Qualifications

• Outstanding technical skills.
• Experience with high vacuum systems, electrical systems, motors, and cryogenic systems.
• Effective communication skills, including drafting documents and presentations.

Responsibilities

• Maintain, monitor, and troubleshoot beamline equipment.
• Conduct high-resolution, single-crystal protein X-ray diffraction experiments.
• Manage incoming and outgoing samples and shipments.

Skills

Technical skills

Collaboration

Problem-solving

Communication

Education

BS/BA in a technical or engineering-related field

Tools

High vacuum systems

Electrical systems

Cryogenic systems

Job description

About the Organization

The Industrial Macromolecular Crystallography Association-Collaborative Access Team (IMCA‑CAT) and Associated Universities, Inc. (AUI) seek a skilled beamline technician to join the IMCA‑CAT team in accelerating pharmaceutical drug discovery through synchrotron-based structural biology research. The IMCA consortium, which funds and provides strategic guidance to IMCA‑CAT, consists of AbbVie, Bristol Myers Squibb, Evotec, Johnson & Johnson, Merck, Novartis, Pfizer, and Relay Therapeutics. As an employee of AUI, you will be based at the center of the team’s operations at the Advanced Photon Source (APS), Argonne National Laboratory, near Chicago, IL. This is an ideal position for a motivated beamline technician who is passionate about delivering strategic value, developing new technologies, and working in a high‑powered, collaborative environment.

Position Description

This is an exciting time to join IMCA‑CAT. The team is commissioning the recently upgraded beamline that will profoundly increase capacity and dramatically expand capability for challenging research projects. As a member of the IMCA‑CAT team, you will be an integral part of these commissioning activities, provide technical support for equipment and experiments, conduct experiments for pharmaceutical research projects, manage samples for experiments, and contribute to innovative technical developments that expand the experiment envelope. You will work closely with IMCA‑CAT colleagues in an inclusive and respectful environment, and will be expected to take initiative and contribute to the team effort.

On any given day, you will do one or more of these things:

• Maintain, monitor, and troubleshoot beamline support equipment, including liquid nitrogen dewars (shipping, staging, storage, and supply) and hardware associated with sample management.
• Assist with the maintenance of beamline equipment.
• Manage, organize, and maintain work areas, tools, and supplies.
• Conduct high‑resolution, single‑crystal protein X‑ray diffraction experiments in support of drug discovery research efforts at both IMCA‑CAT and a variety of external synchrotron sources.
• Support auto‑mode experiments, including weekly on‑call and monthly weekend assignments.
• Manage incoming and outgoing samples and shipments.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of technologies that expand the experiment envelope.
• Contribute to the development of efficient protocols for accelerating data acquisition while enhancing data security.
• Collaboratively develop automated methods for acquiring quality data from challenging samples.
• Engage in the technical development of new strategies for ultra‑high throughput.
• Collaborate with the team on strategically aligned research and development projects.
• Communicate with researchers and present at meetings.
• Provide general support for experiments and facility development.

Desired Skills and Experience

• BS/BA in a technical or engineering‑related field.
• Outstanding technical skills.
• Experience with high vacuum systems, electrical systems, motors, controllers, and cryogenic systems.
• Highly collaborative and team‑oriented approach to conducting work, troubleshooting, and solving problems.
• Experience implementing R&D projects, including demonstrated ability to have effective interaction and good working relationships with scientists, technical support staff, and vendors.
• Effective written and oral communication skills, including drafting documents and making brief presentations.
• Exceptional originality and attention to quality, detail, and accuracy.
• Deeply proactive approach to meeting and exceeding goals.
• Ability to routinely lift racks of samples (5 lbs), baskets of samples in liquid nitrogen (15 lbs), and shipping dewars (up to 35 lbs).
• Ability to meet requirements for site access to Argonne National Laboratory.

The compensation level for this full‑time position will be competitive and commensurate with the candidate’s qualifications. AUI provides a generous benefits package. AUI is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment for all employees.