Research Technician II / III - PTR-BioImage Analysis

Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI); Ashburn (VA); On-site; USD 45,000 - 67,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

On-site childcare

Free gym

Shuttle service

On-campus housing

Education assistance

Job summary

Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) is seeking a Research Technician II/III to support bioimage annotation and analysis at Janelia. You will work with imaging teams to annotate 3D microscopy data, perform quality control, and help develop standard protocols for data processing.

You’ll interact with researchers and contribute to AI-driven HHMI projects. The role emphasizes hands-on image work, collaboration, and flexible adaptation to evolving project needs, with opportunities for professional

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in biology, neuroscience, or related field.
• Two+ years of cellular biology or neuroscience experience.
• Ability to use annotation software and image data tools.

Responsibilities

• Gain knowledge of annotation software and data collection tools.
• Review and correct annotations, ensuring quality control.
• Prepare datasets for annotation and document procedures.
• Collaborate with scientists and team manager on projects.
• Support ground-truth generation for AI and HHMI workflows.

Skills

Cell biology

Neuroscience

Proficient with computers

3D visualization

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Primary Work Address: 19700 Helix Drive, Ashburn, VA, 20147

The Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Janelia Research Campus is a pioneering research center in Ashburn, Virginia, where scientists pursue fundamental questions in the life sciences. Our integrated teams of biologists, computational scientists, and tool-builders innovate research practices and technologies to solve biology’s deepest mysteries. HHMI launched Janelia in 2006, establishing an intellectually enriching environment for scientists to do creative, collaborative, hands‑on work. We share our methods, results, and tools with the scientific community.

About the Role

The PTR‑BioImage analysis team within Project Technical Resources (PTR) is seeking a full‑time technician to work on annotation and image analysis projects in collaboration with Team Projects, laboratories, and computational groups. The selected individual will work closely with the team manager and other scientists to develop and implement procedures to accomplish research goals. This job is ideal for someone who likes working with images and enjoys manual annotation, as well as establishing standard protocols and interacting with peers and collaborators. Our current work includes voxel‑level segmentation of 3D microscopy volumes, segmentation of lightsheet images of expanded tissues, cell tracking in 4D light microscopy videos, and behavioral labeling from animal experimental video. The combination of projects and emphasis changes over time, requiring agile adaptation to specific requirements. Annotations typically serve as ground truth for automated image processing pipelines established for AI@HHMI projects, and in some cases are used to answer biological questions directly. Examples of related work can be explored at the BioImage Analysis page. This position will be filled at Research Technician level II or III depending on the candidate’s experience.

What We Provide

• On‑the‑job training on current tools, protocols, and techniques
• Competitive compensation with comprehensive health and welfare benefits
• Amenities that enhance work‑life balance such as on‑site childcare, a free gym, social and dining spaces, convenient shuttle bus service from the Washington D.C. metro area, on‑campus housing, and options for education assistance
• A diverse team looking forward to exploring how your unique background, talents, and interests could contribute to PTR’s ability to support science at Janelia

What You’ll Do

• Gain in‑depth knowledge of commercial and custom annotation software
• Collect relevant data from multidimensional images and videos
• Review and correct automatically or manually generated annotations
• Perform quality control on large datasets, including screening work produced by other team members
• Provide feedback on image quality, software performance, and annotation challenges
• Report biological observations arising from the data
• Communicate effectively with the team manager, project leads, researchers, and support groups at Janelia
• Prepare datasets for annotation, contribute to protocol development and documentation, and serve as a point of contact for collaborating researchers

What You Bring

• Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of two years of experience in cellular biology, neuroscience, or related field
• Demonstrated proficiency with computers
• Ability to mentally visualize complex three‑dimensional structures
• Ability to perform detailed, repetitive work while sustaining close attention
• Ability to understand and apply written guidelines consistently
• Good organizational skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills to communicate efficiently with team members and collaborators
• Work experience in a team‑oriented environment and skills to be a good team player
• Interest in engaging in ground‑breaking research in a fast‑paced and dynamic environment
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and to recognize when a case falls outside established standards
• Experience contributing to written protocols or training other team members

Candidates with four or more years of experience in image annotation, segmentation, microscopy, or a closely related area may be considered for Research Technician III level.

Physical Requirements

• Remaining in a normal seated or standing position for extended periods of time; reaching and grasping by extending hand(s) or arm(s); dexterity to manipulate objects with fingers, for example using a keyboard;
• Communication skills using the spoken word;
• Ability to see and hear within normal parameters;
• Ability to move about workspace;
• The position requires mobility, including the ability to move materials weighing up to several pounds (such as a laptop computer or tablet);
• Work may involve possible exposure to malodorous vapors, low dose radiation, contamination by toxic chemicals and acids and presence of carcinogenic substances or other hazardous materials;
• This position also requires good color vision, the ability to visualize in 3D, the ability to sit for several hours at a computer (with breaks), and fine motor skills;

Persons with disabilities may be able to perform the essential duties of this position with reasonable accommodation. Requests for reasonable accommodation will be evaluated on an individual basis. Please Note: This job description sets forth the job’s principal duties, responsibilities, and requirements; it should not be construed as an exhaustive statement, however. Unless they begin with the word “may,” the Essential Duties and Responsibilities described above are “essential functions” of the job, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Hiring Pay Range

Research Technician II: $45,440.00 - $56,800.00

Research Technician III: $53,840.00 - $67,300.00

Pay Type: Salary

The posted range reflects HHMI’s good faith estimate of the anticipated hiring salary range for this role at the time of posting. Actual hiring compensation is determined by a candidate’s qualifications, experience, and internal equity.

Compensation and Benefits

Our employees are compensated from a total rewards perspective in many ways for their contributions to our mission, including competitive pay, exceptional health benefits, retirement plans, time off, and a range of recognition and wellness programs. Visit our Benefits at HHMI site to learn more.

Equal Opportunity Employer

HHMI is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We use E-Verify to confirm the identity and employment eligibility of all new hires. Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) is an independent, ever‑evolving philanthropy that supports basic biomedical scientists and educators with the potential for transformative impact. We make long‑term investments in people, not just projects, because we believe in the power of individuals to make breakthroughs over time.

Why HHMI

To move science forward we need a diverse collection of talents, expertise, and backgrounds in scientific research and science education, as well as communications, finance, human resources, information technology, investments, law, and operations. At HHMI, we encourage collaborative and results‑driven working styles and offer an adaptable environment where employees can do their best work. What makes us strong is the diversity of our perspectives. We work to promote a culture of inclusion in our work environments and across the greater scientific community. To find more information about us and the steps we’re taking to make HHMI a more inclusive organization, visit our About Us page.

For more information about your rights as an applicant, please review these posters: Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Know Your Rights, and Employee Polygraph Protection Act (EPPA).