Senior Scientist, Cryo-ET & Cryo-CLEM

Weill Cornell Medicine; New York (NY); On-site; USD 129,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

The Weill Cornell Medicine Cryo-EM Core seeks a PhD-level scientist to lead cryo-ET and cryo-CLEM operations. You will commission and run the Arctis PFIB and Titan Krios G5, developing an integrated in situ structural biology workflow from sample prep to subtomogram averaging.

You will train users, advise on experimental design, and collaborate across Weill Cornell Medicine to advance core capabilities while ensuring safety and quality standards.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated hands-on experience with cryo-FIB milling of biological samples for cryo-ET.
• Hands-on experience with cryo-ET data collection.
• Demonstrated experience with cryo-ET data processing and analysis (IMOD, AreTomo, Warp/M, RELION, Dynamo, or similar), including subtomogram averaging.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the scientific lead for cryo-ET, cryo-FIB, and cryo-CLEM workflows within the Cryo-EM Core.
• Lead the scientific and technical implementation, commissioning, optimization, and QC of the Arctis Cryo-PFIB for biological cryo-ET.
• Participate in commissioning, operation, and scientific use of the Titan Krios G5, including cryo-ET data collection.
• Independently operate the Titan Krios G5 and support investigators with data collection, instrument setup, optimization, troubleshooting, and QC.
• Establish integrated cryo-ET and cryo-CLEM workflows, including grid prep, vitrification, targeting, FIB milling, lamella transfer, data collection, and downstream analysis.
• Develop and support tomography data collection on Titan Krios G5 and Glacios.
• Process and analyze cryo-ET data, including tilt-series alignment, tomogram reconstruction, segmentation, and subtomogram averaging.
• Consult with investigators on feasibility, sample prep, experimental design, and workflows.
• Develop, evaluate, and implement emerging methods and technologies in tomography data collection and analysis.
• Train and mentor investigators and Core users in cryo-FIB, cryo-ET, cryo-CLEM, Titan Krios operation, and computational workflows.
• Develop and maintain SOPs, training materials, QC processes, and documentation.
• Coordinate scheduling, logs, consumables, and vendor/service relations for cryo-FIB and cryo-ET workflows.
• Work with Core Director and staff to ensure efficient utilization and integration of instrumentation and workflows.
• Participate in scientific outreach, user education, workshops to expand adoption of cryo-ET.
• Ensure compliance with institutional lab safety and operational requirements.

Skills

Cryo-FIB milling

Cryo-ET data collection

Cryo-ET data processing

Subtomogram averaging

Troubleshooting complex vacuum/instr.

Communication with investigators

Python scripting

Shell scripting

Education

PhD in structural biology, biophysics, cell biology, physics, or related field

Tools

IMOD

AreTomo

Warp/M

RELION

Dynamo

SerialEM

Tomo5

PACE-tomo

Python scripting

Shell scripting

Job description

Select how often (in days) to receive an alert:

Title: Senior Scientist, Cryo-ET & Cryo-CLEM

Title: Senior Scientist, Cryo-ET & Cryo-CLEM

Org Unit: General Institutional Cores

Work Days:

Weekly Hours:35.00

Exemption Status:Exempt

Salary Range:$128,800.00-$150,400.00

*As required under NYC Human Rights Law Int 1208-2018 - Salary range for this role when Hired for NYC Offices

Position Summary

The Weill Cornell Medicine Cryo-EM Core is seeking a PhD-level scientist with significant hands-on expertise in cryo-FIB milling and cryo-ET, including data collection and analysis, to serve as the scientific lead for these capabilities within the Cryo-EM Core. Reporting to the Director of the Cryo-EM Core, the Senior Scientist will play a leading scientific and technical role in commissioning and operating the new instrumentation and establishing an integrated in situ structural biology workflow spanning sample preparation and vitrification, lamella preparation, correlative targeting, tomography data collection on the Titan Krios G5, reconstruction, and subtomogram averaging.

The Senior Scientist will have substantial scientific responsibility for developing and advancing the Core’s cryo-ET and cryo-CLEM program, advising investigators on project feasibility and experimental design, developing new methods, training users, supporting operation and utilization of the Titan Krios G5, and supporting projects across Weill Cornell Medicine.

Job Responsibilities

• Serve as the scientific lead for cryo-ET, cryo-FIB, and cryo-CLEM workflows within the Cryo-EM Core under the Core Director’s leadership.
• Lead the scientific and technical implementation, commissioning, optimization, and quality control of the Arctis Cryo-PFIB for biological cryo-ET applications, including preparation of high-quality lamellae from cells and tissues.
• Participate in commissioning, operation, and scientific use of the Titan Krios G5, including cryo-ET data collection and other workflows supported by the Core.
• As needed, independently operate the Titan Krios G5 and support investigators with data collection, instrument setup, optimization, troubleshooting, and quality control.
• Establish and optimize integrated cryo-ET and cryo-CLEM workflows, including grid preparation and vitrification, correlative targeting, FIB milling, lamella transfer, Krios data collection, and downstream analysis.
• Work with the Core Director to develop and support tomography data collection on the Titan Krios G5 and Glacios.
• Process and analyze cryo-ET data, including tilt-series alignment, tomogram reconstruction, segmentation, and subtomogram averaging, and assist investigators with data analysis and interpretation.
• Consult with investigators on project feasibility, sample preparation, experimental design, and appropriate workflows for in situ structural biology studies.
• Develop, evaluate, and implement emerging methods and technologies, including automated milling, lift-out approaches, improved correlative workflows, and advances in tomography data collection and analysis.
• Train and mentor investigators, trainees, and Core users in cryo-FIB, cryo-ET, cryo-CLEM, Titan Krios operation, and associated computational workflows.
• Develop and maintain standard operating procedures, training materials, quality-control processes, and other documentation.
• Coordinate scheduling, logs, consumables, and vendor and service relationships associated with cryo-FIB and cryo-ET workflows within the Core’s overall operational structure.
• Work collaboratively with the Core Director and other Core staff to ensure efficient utilization, scientific quality, and integration of instrumentation and workflows across the Cryo-EM Core.
• Participate in scientific outreach, user education, workshops, and other activities designed to expand adoption of cryo-ET and related technologies across WCM.
• Ensure compliance with institutional laboratory safety and operational requirements.

Education

• PhD in structural biology, biophysics, cell biology, physics, or a related field.

Experience

Required Qualifications

• Demonstrated hands-on experience with cryo-FIB milling of biological samples for cryo-ET.
• Hands-on experience with cryo-ET data collection.
• Demonstrated experience with cryo-ET data processing and analysis (for example, IMOD, AreTomo, Warp/M, RELION, Dynamo, or similar), including subtomogram averaging.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with plasma-FIB (for example, Arctis), cryo-CLEM, or lift-out.
• Experience in a shared-resource or core facility.
• Familiarity with SerialEM, Tomo5, or PACE-tomo, and scripting in Python or shell.
• Publications involving cryo-ET.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Strong troubleshooting skills with complex vacuum and cryogenic instrumentation.
• Ability to communicate effectively with investigators who have widely varying levels of microscopy experience.

Working Conditions/Physical Demands

The position is based within the Weill Cornell Medicine Cryo-EM Core and includes work in BSL-1/BSL-2 laboratory and office settings. The Senior Scientist will work collaboratively with Core leadership, scientific staff, faculty, trainees, and investigators across Weill Cornell Medicine.

Cornell welcomes students, faculty, and staff with diverse backgrounds from across the globe to pursue world-class education and career opportunities, to further the founding principle of "any person, any study". No person shall be denied employment on the basis of any legally protected status or subjected to prohibited discrimination involving, but not limited to, such factors as race, ethnic or national origin, citizenship and immigration status, color, sex, pregnancy or pregnancy-related conditions, age, creed, religion, arrest and/or conviction record, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender expression and/or identity, an individual’s genetic information, domestic violence victim status, familial status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
Cornell University embraces diversity in its workforce and seeks job candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty, and staff of all identities and backgrounds. We hire based on merit, and encourage people from historically underrepresented and/or marginalized identities to apply. Consistent with federal law, Cornell engages in affirmative action in employment for qualified protected veterans as defined in the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRRA). We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations in accordance with applicable law.