SEA Cryogenic Electron Microscopist

Rice University; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 115,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

The Shared Equipment Authority (SEA) at Rice University invites applications for a Cryogenic Electron Microscopist to manage, maintain, and operate the ThermoFisher Glacios in the cryo-EM core lab. This role reports to SEA leadership and collaborates with SEA staff and faculty across research programs.

The successful candidate will train users, optimize instruments, ensure safety, and support a broad range of investigator-driven projects while staying current with advances in cryo-EM technology.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in a relevant science or engineering field.
• 4+ years hands-on cryogenic electron microscopy facilities maintenance/operations.
• Experience with ThermoFisher Glacios/Krios and related instrumentation.

Responsibilities

• Operate and optimize instruments and workflows.
• Provide user consultation and training on instrument usage.
• Maintain and troubleshoot equipment in coordination with ThermoFisher service team.
• Ensure quality control and safety compliance in the lab.
• Collaborate with PIs on advanced research experiments and grant proposals.

Skills

Broad science knowledge

Critical literature review

Troubleshooting

Mechanical knowledge

Electrical systems

Strong communication

Project management

Lab safety

Education

Master's degree

PhD preferred

Tools

ThermoFisher Glacios

Gatan K2 Summit

Vitrobot MarkIV Plus

Tecnai FT20 TEM

Job description

Job Description

About Shared Equipment Authority (SEA):

The Shared Equipment Authority (SEA) provides faculty andresearchers with access to state-of-the-art shared scientificinstrumentation, technical expertise, and research supportservices. Established in 2001, SEA manages more than 150 researchinstruments across multiple core facilities, supporting research inthe physical sciences, engineering, life sciences, and medicine.SEA's professional scientific staff partner with faculty, students,postdoctoral researchers, and external collaborators by providinginstrument training, consultation, and technical expertise thatenable cutting-edge research.

Position Summary:

The SEA Cryogenic Electron Microscopist is responsible for themanagement, maintenance, and operation of specialized scientificresearch equipment (ThermoFisher Glacios) in the cryo-EM core labfacilities for the Office of Research, through the Shared EquipmentAuthority (SEA). As part of the biological instrumentation andelectron microscopy staff teams, this position coordinates theseresponsibilities with other SEA research scientists and providessupport to other SEA facilities as needed.

Ideal Candidate Statement:

The ideal candidate is a highly skilled research scientist withextensive hands-on experience in high-resolution cryo-electronmicroscopy and related techniques for single-particle andtomography analysis, as well as associated workflows for samplepreparation, specimen handling, data processing, and the operationand support of ThermoFisher Glacios/Krios microscopy and relatedinstrumentation. This includes experience with an FEI Vitrobot MarkIV Plus and a Tecnai FT20 TEM with a Gatan K2 Summit camera.

Under the supervision of SEA leadership, the research scientist’sprimary responsibilities include operating and optimizinginstruments; providing user consultation and training; supportingexperimental design; maintaining and troubleshooting instruments incoordination with the ThermoFisher service team; ensuring qualitycontrol; processing and interpreting data; and coordinating the useof shared equipment. In close consultation with the faculty usercommittee for these resources, the successful candidate will ensureadherence to institutional laboratory safety policies andregulatory requirements while supporting a broad range ofinvestigator-driven research programs. The candidate will promotethe effective utilization of the facility through user training,workshops, consultation services, and outreach activities thatsupport a diverse and growing research community.

This individual excels in a service-oriented, collaborativeenvironment, demonstrating strong technical expertise, meticulousattention to detail, and a commitment to equipment stewardship,user education, time management, and adherence to research bestpractices. They communicate effectively with faculty, staff,students, and trainees at all levels, work independently whilecontributing to team-based core operations, and remain motivated tostay current with emerging technologies to enhance the core’sresearch capabilities.

Workplace Requirements:

This is an on-site position, requiring all responsibilities to becarried out in person at Rice University Campus. Per Rice policy 440 , workarrangements may be subject to change.

Work is performed in a combination of laboratory and officeenvironments.

*Exempt (salaried) positions under FLSA are not eligible for overtime.

Annual Hiring Range: $115,000 - $120,000

Minimum Requirements:

• Master's degree in a relevant science or engineering field(biology, biochemistry, bioengineering, chemistry, etc.)
• 4+ years of hands-on experience with maintenance, training,operations, data processing, and/or support for cryogenic electronmicroscopy facilities

Skills:

• Broad-based knowledge of science with expert-level knowledge ofan applicable research area and the associated researchequipment
• Ability to critically evaluate scientific literature and tointegrate it, as approved, into the knowledge base
• Ability to troubleshoot malfunctioning equipment
• Knowledge of mechanical, plumbing, and electrical systems
• Excellent critical thinking, research, and technicalskills
• Excellent editing, presentation, verbal, and writtencommunication skills, with the ability to communicate with a widerange of researchers, faculty, staff, and students, including bothtechnical and non-technical individuals
• Willingness to work autonomously, as well as with other staffand faculty
• Excellent general management, leadership, organizational,project management, and time management skills
• Ability to promote the best practices of a research lab
• Proven mastery of related instrumentation and the ability tolearn quickly and master new experimental methods andinstruments

Preferences:

• Ph.D. in a relevant science or engineering field
• 5+ years of hands-on experience with maintenance, training,operations, data processing, and/or support for cryogenic electronmicroscopy facilities

Essential Functions:

• Responsible for the full life cycle of assigned researchequipment, including assisting with the negotiation of technicalspecifications for new research equipment, overseeing vendorinstallation, operating, maintaining, troubleshooting, consultingwith the vendor regarding repairs, overseeing repairs asappropriate, and facilitating routine maintenance of theequipment
• Provides high-level instruction on instrument usage toundergraduates, graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, faculty,and external users, and performs brief demonstrations
• Develops standard processes and provides expert consultation toresearchers on process issues
• Collaborates with PIs on advanced research experiments andprojects
• Works in conjunction with PIs to prepare grant proposals forresearch equipment acquisition to improve research programs,particularly for expanding cryo-EM capabilities
• Provides training when specialized techniques are needed forresearch; works to the extent necessary with individuals to performexperiments, interpret results, determine next steps, and write upresults for publication
• Stays abreast of the latest technological advances in researchand informs faculty and stakeholders of new methodologies. Pursuesthe implementation of new techniques needed for research onexisting instrumentation
• Promotes and enhances a culture of laboratory safety
• Follows the best practices of a shared research laboratoryfacility
• Performs all other duties as assigned

Additional Functions:

• Performs various administrative functions, including but notlimited to: attending internal and external meetings, issuing andtracking scientific equipment usage and fee charges to thenecessary parties, and maintaining security access control to theresearch lab.

Rice University HR | Benefits:

https://knowledgecafe.rice.edu/benefits

Rice Mission and Values:

Mission and Values | RiceUniversity

Rice University is committed to ensuring Equal EmploymentOpportunity and welcoming the fullness of diversity into ourcandidate pools. Rice considers qualified applicants for employmentwithout regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexualorientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, geneticinformation, disability, or protected veteran status. Rice alsoprovides reasonable accommodations to qualified persons withdisabilities. If an applicant requires a reasonable accommodationfor any part of the application or hiring process, please get intouch with Rice University’s Human Resources Office via email [e-mail] for support.

If you have any additional questions, please email us [e-mail]. Thank you for thisinterest in employment with RiceUniversity.