Staff position at The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Johns Hopkins University , United States
Application deadline: 30 Jun 2026
The Beckman Center for Cryo-EM is seeking a Sr. Research Specialist II who is an expert electron microscopist to support the center’s operations in cryo-electron tomography (cryo-ET), focusing on lamella preparation and cryo-correlation with focused-ion beam scanning electron microscopy (FIB-SEM) and cryo-correlative light electron microscopy (Cryo-CLEM). The Beckman Center houses state-of-the-art instrumentation and support infrastructure including the Titan Krios equipped with a Falcon 4i direct electron detector and Selectris energy filter, a Glacios equipped with a Falcon 4i direct electron detector, and an Aquilos II cryo-CLEM/FIB-SEM with iFLM. The Sr. Research Specialist II uses specialized scientific knowledge and experience to make decisions, trains/guides other laboratory personnel, and provides simple to complex troubleshooting.
Specific Duties & Responsibilities
- Training and assisting users with grid preparation, FIB-SEM, and cryo-CLEM for 3D cryo-ET analysis (primarily utilizing the Aquilos II and associated equipment).
- Day-to-day instrument operation, including FIB milling of cells and tissue, image acquisition, and microscope maintenance.
- Providing user support for image processing and tomographic analysis.
- Maintain high-throughput software pipelines.
- Develop, design and manage specialized projects and/or instrumentation, and coordinates own objectives.
- Utilize specialized knowledge to set up and run sophisticated instrumentation and interpret results.
- Act as consultant to refine or adapt methodologies to fit research objectives.
- Collaborate in development of new protocols and uses of equipment.
- Advise investigators on experimental design and research methods.
- Co-author/author publications.
- Contribute original thoughts, hypotheses, and analysis to write reports, abstracts and manuscripts.
- Provide significant input to research design and data collection and interpretation based on advanced knowledge/ understanding of activity.
- Independently perform research assays specific to the research laboratory interests.
- Collaborate with other lab personnel, managers, and faculty investigators.
- Independently develop protocol and criteria.
- Make decisions regarding research projects that may require assessment, revision of objectives, or altering scientific direction.
- Consider resources and laboratory priorities when making decision.
- Other duties as assigned.
Additional Skills, Knowledge and Abilities
- Significant hands-on FIB-SEM experience, experience in cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-ET / cryo-EM), image processing, and structure modeling or comparable experience and expertise with the relevant techniques.
- The successful candidate must have strong interpersonal communication skills and be able to effectively work with faculty, staff, postdoctoral fellows, and students from a variety of scientific and cultural backgrounds.
Technical Skills & Expected Level of Proficiency
- Data Management and Analysis - Developing
- Experimental Design and Execution - Developing
- Laboratory Troubleshooting and Technical Problem Solving - Developing
- Project Management - Developing
- Protocol Development and Optimization - Developing
- Scientific Interpretation and Consultation - Developing
- Scientific Writing - Developing
The core technical skills listed are most essential; additional technical skills may be required based on specific division or department needs.
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor's Degree in Biology, Chemistry or related field.
- Five years of experience in a comparable laboratory performing relevant techniques.
- Additional education may substitute for required experience and additional related experience may substitute for required education permitted by the JHU equivalency formula beyond a high school diploma/graduation equivalent, to the extent
Preferred Qualifications
- Ph.D. Degree in a relevant field
- Master's Degree with related graduate research.
For more information and to apply, please see our website.
