Electron Microscopy Technician

at  VIB

VIB is a world-leading center in life sciences and biotechnology, known for its excellent technology transfer. Its success is due to a unique blend of basic research and a strong focus on innovation and business. VIB is committed to driving the growth of the life sciences cluster in Flanders.
The VIB Technologies program (https://vibcoreprogram.sites.vib.be/en) is the institute’s research infrastructure, offering access to cutting-edge technologies. It comprises 10 core facilities, each with specific technology expertise located in Ghent, Leuven, or Brussels. These facilities support VIB’s 1700 researchers with over 100 staff members.
The VIB Bioimaging Core in Leuven is looking to expand its capabilities for Electron Microscopy (EM) sample preparation and image acquisition in transmission (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). VIB has several research focus areas, organized in different research centers. The VIB Bioimaging Core in Leuven is hosted by the Center for Brain and Disease Research (https://cbd.sites.vib.be/en#/). The core offers access, support, consultancy, and training in light- and electron microscope and image processing and analysis (https://bioimagingcore-leuven.sites.vib.be/en). A team of motivated microscopists, including a senior Bioimage Analysis Expert, enables microscopy for the Leuven based VIB community.
The successful candidate will work within a highly international, multi-cultural, and interdisciplinary environment with a common interest in bioimaging technologies.

As Electron Microscopy technician at the VIB BioImaging Core, the responsibilities will include the following:

• General lab management, setting rules for the usage of the working space in coordination with the existing EM team.
• Implementation of Health and Safety rules in the lab, including those related to handling EM sample prep-related chemical waste and cleaning.
• Arrange logically EM chemical stocks for ease of access by the rest of the EM team and by users.
• Check stocks of EM sample prep reagents, ensuring that the needs of the core are met, ordering in due time to replenish them when used.
• Provide optimal support to our users by enabling sample preparation for EM techniques, including ultramicrotomy, as well as EM image acquisition and data analysis.
• Perform high quality EM sample prep, ultramicrotomy, imaging and data analysis for the core users, after receiving due training by the current EM staff.
• Provide training to the users on the most commonly used EM techniques, involving sample prep, ultramicrotomy, image acquisition and data handling, following instructions from the senior EM team members.
• Streamline EM sample prep and imaging workflows, adapting existing protocols and sample preparation procedures when needed, after receiving guidelines from the senior EM team members.
• Coordinate with the rest of the EM team to ensure that the equipment is up to optimal performance standards, doing regular benchmarking and performance tests, and defining when technical service by the system manufacturer is required in coordination with senior EM team members.
• Take part in educational activities (Workshops, Courses, Symposia, Training schools and others) organized by the EM team.
• Staying up to date in EM sample prep and imaging techniques, and actively contribute to relevant EM communities.