Sr. Research Analyst

Biological Sciences Division at the University of Chicago; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

The Biological Sciences Division at the University of Chicago seeks a Sr. Research Analyst to support the Advanced Electron Microscopy Core, building Correlative LM/EM workflows and operating high‑end TEM, SEM, and cryo‑light microscopes.

You will collaborate with PIs to develop projects and train new users in cryo‑ET and CLEM experimental design. This role includes daily instrument alignments, quality checks, data collection support, and contributing to reports and manuscripts while ensuring

Qualifications

• 2–5 years of related research experience.
• Experience with cryo-ET data and data analysis.
• Experience with TEM and cryo‑automation systems.

Responsibilities

• Loads samples, basic scope alignments, and provide operational guidance to users on day‑to‑day activities.
• Provide user training on TEMs, SEMs, cryo‑light microscopes, sample prep, and associated software; consult on experimental design and troubleshooting.
• Participates in the development, interpretation, and implementation of new equipment and research methodology.
• Coordinating scientific outreach opportunities; external workshops and facility tours; strengthen cryo-ET and volume EM within the university community.
• Administers research projects with moderate direction, helps design and conduct experiments, and supports data collection and literature reviews.
• Takes responsibility for non-laboratory duties: transcribing/coding data; developing data collection tools; presenting research; scheduling subjects.
• Performs laboratory duties: recognizing abnormal results; setting up experiments; analyze meaning and causes.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Skills

Cryo-ET workflows

TEM/SEM operation

User training

Data analysis

Education

Master’s degree in related field

Bachelor's degree / College/university degree in related field

Tools

ImageJ/Fiji

IMOD

SerialEM

EPU

tomo

Job description

Department

BSD SRF - Electron Microscopy - Research

Department

BSD SRF - Electron Microscopy - Research

About The Department

The Advanced Electron Microscopy Facility’s mission is to develop and apply cutting‑edge cryo‑preservation techniques that capture biological samples in their near‑native 'live' state, enabling ultrastructural analysis through 3D electron tomography, Single Particle Analysis (SPA), and Correlative Light and Electron Microscopy (CLEM); positioning it as a premier research resource at The University of Chicago.

Job Summary

The job participates in scientific research projects. Ensures compliance of research activities with institutional, state, and federal regulatory policies, procedures, directives and mandates. Analyzes possible solutions using standard procedures. Writes articles, reports and manuscripts. Assists in drafting presentations on research findings.

The Sr. Research Analyst will support users of the Advanced Electron Microscopy Core, with a primary focus on building Correlative LM/EM workflows. Working under moderate guidance, this position is responsible for operating and maintaining high‑end TEM, SEM, and cryo‑light microscope platforms; collaborating with PIs to develop research projects; and training new users in cryo‑ET and CLEM experimental design, cryo‑preservation techniques, and instrument operation. Additional responsibilities include performing daily instrument alignments and quality checks and providing hands‑on user support within the facility.

Responsibilities

• Loads samples, basic scope alignments, and provide operational guidance to users on day-to-day activities.
• Provide user training on TEMs, SEMs, cryo-light microscopes, sample prep, and associated software packages, experimental design consultation to help researchers understand and implement core technology effectively, and troubleshooting during sample processing, imaging, or data analysis.
• Participates in the development, interpretation, and implementation of new equipment and research methodology.
• Participates in helping to coordinate scientific outreach opportunities; external: workshops and facility tours, and internal to the wider university research community strengthening cryo-ET and volume EM.
• Applies research principles and relevant subject matter knowledge relevant to administer a research project. With a moderate level of direction, manages lab and/or research‑related duties and tasks. Helps develop, design and conduct research projects according to plan.
• Supports data collection and analytical needs of research projects. Conducts literature reviews and helps write reports and manuscripts. Ensures project compliance with different policies, procedures, directives, and mandates.
• Takes responsibility for the following non‑laboratory duties: transcribing and coding data; developing data collection instruments; presenting research; and recruiting and scheduling research subjects. Acquires higher‑level skills and knowledge in the process.
• Takes responsibility for the following laboratory duties: recognizing abnormal results and varying conditions or procedures to correct problems; setting up and performing experiments. Analyze the meaning, significance, causes, and effects of the subject.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Education:

Minimum qualifications include a college or university degree in related field.

Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 2-5 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Education:

• Master’s degree in related field.

Experience:

• Experience with collecting cryo-ET data and data analysis, preferably with commercial microscope software (EPU, tomo, Maps, AutoTEM, DM, etc) and open‑source analysis software such as ImageJ/Fiji, IMOD, and SerialEM.
• Experience with TEM (cryo‑autoloader systems such as the Krios, Glacios, etc), cryo FIB-SEM systems for preparing cryo‑lamella, cryo-light microscopy (Leica Stellaris and iFLM) and cryo sample preparation.

Preferred Competencies

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with a commitment to providing excellent service and support to users and collaborators.
• Highly organized and detail-oriented, with strong computer, record‑keeping, time management, and follow-through skills.
• Adaptable and eager to learn, with the ability to quickly adopt new technologies and respond effectively to changing priorities and unscheduled needs.
• Able to work independently and collaboratively, exercising sound judgment and completing assignments with moderate guidance while contributing effectively as part of a team.

Working Conditions

• Laboratory environment.
• May require training related to occupational safety and health, environmental compliance (working with heavy metals, BSL2 samples, etc), shipping of hazardous material (shipping cryo-samples).
• Working at a desk or sitting at a microscope.
• Ability to go up and down stairs.

Application Documents

• Resume (required)
• Cover Letter (preferred)

Job Family

Research

Role Impact

Individual Contributor

Scheduled Weekly Hours

40

Drug Test Required

No

Health Screen Required

Yes

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

No

Pay Rate Type

Salary

FLSA Status

Exempt

Pay Range

$60,000.00 - $80,000.00

The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.

Benefits Eligible

Yes

The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook.

Posting Statement

The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment. Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case‑by‑case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: http://securityreport.uchicago.edu. Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.