Scientist

Stowers Institute for Medical Research; Kansas City (MO); On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

The Stowers Institute for Medical Research in Kansas City, MO, seeks a senior Cryo-Electron Tomography (cryo-ET) scientist to support and expand in situ structural biology and integrative imaging efforts. This hands-on role will lead projects from sample prep to data analysis, enabling visualization and interpretation of molecular assemblies within cells and tissues.

Collaborate with investigators and technology center teams, develop workflows for cryo-ET, and contribute to integrative

Qualifications

• PhD in life sciences or related field is required.
• Hands-on cryo-EM and cryo-ET experience is essential.
• Experience with cryo-ET data processing and analysis pipelines.
• Strong collaboration and ability to train researchers across teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead and execute cryo-ET projects in collaboration with investigators and technology center scientists.
• Develop and optimize workflows for in situ cryo-ET, including sample prep, tilt-series acquisition, reconstruction, and subtomogram averaging.
• Contribute to integrative structural workflows combining cryo-ET with AI-based prediction and XL-MS.
• Provide scientific guidance and training to researchers using cryo-ET approaches.
• Maintain strong communication across multidisciplinary teams to ensure project success.
• Travel to collaborating facilities for cryo workflow and/or data acquisition as required.

Skills

cryo-ET workflows

cryo-EM experience

data processing pipelines

multidisciplinary teamwork

training researchers

Education

PhD in life sciences

Job description

The Stowers Institute for Medical Research seeks a Cryo-Electron Tomography (cryo-ET) scientist to support and expand our growing in situ structural biology and integrative imaging efforts. This senior-level position within the Technology Center will play an active role in developing and executing cryo-ET projects, enabling visualization and structural interpretation of molecular assemblies directly within cells and tissues.

Working closely with Stowers investigators, the successful candidate will lead collaborative cryo-ET projects across diverse biological systems. This is a highly hands-on position focused on advancing workflows from sample preparation and data collection through analysis and structural interpretation, while contributing to the Institute’s strategic expansion into cryo-ET and integrative structural biology.

Responsibilities

• Lead and execute cryo-ET projects in collaboration with investigators and technology center scientists.
• Develop and optimize workflows for in situ cryo-ET, including sample preparation, tilt-series acquisition, tomographic reconstruction, and subtomogram averaging.
• Contribute to integrative structural workflows combining cryo-ET with complementary approaches such as AlphaFold-based structural prediction, crosslinking mass spectrometry (XL-MS), and molecular simulations or integrative modeling.
• Provide scientific guidance and training to researchers using cryo-ET approaches.
• Maintain strong communication across multidisciplinary teams to ensure successful project outcomes.
• Travel to collaborating facilities for cryo workflow and/or data acquisition is required for this position.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in structural biology, biophysics, cell biology, biochemistry, or related field; postdoctoral experience preferred.
• Hands-on experience in cryo-EM, with demonstrated expertise in cryo-ET workflows.
• Experience with cryo-ET data processing software and analysis pipelines.
• Strong organizational and collaborative skills with experience working on multidisciplinary projects.
• Preferred but not required: experience or interest in integrative structural biology approaches such as AI based structural prediction, and/or molecular simulations.