Microscopy Innovation Centre Manager

at  Kings College London

Job id: 085446. Salary: £51,497 - £61,021 per annum, including London Weighting Allowance.
Posted: 28 February 2024. Closing date: 27 March 2024.
Business unit: Research Platforms. Department: Microscopy Innovation Centre.
Contact details: Nicholas Anthony. nicholas.anthony@kcl.ac.uk
Location: Guy’s Campus. Category: Professional & Support Services.
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Job description
We have a vacancy in the Research Management & Innovation Directorate of King’s College London for the role of Microscopy Innovation Centre Manager (MIC).
This role provides an exciting opportunity to manage, develop and shape the newly refurbished Microscopy Innovation Centre (MIC) at King’s. The MIC is a centrally managed open access core facility enabling bespoke, specialist optical microscopy instrumentation to be developed, and used by internal and external researchers.
The role works closely with the Associate Director of Core Facilities, the Academic Director of the MIC, and the Business Development Manager (microscopy) to manage the day-to-day operations of the MIC and its staff. This includes, but is not limited to, building, and optimising developmental microscopy systems and associated data analysis pipelines. This role works closely with researchers from our life sciences research communities, helping to strengthen their knowledge of state-of-the-art optical microscopy techniques and assisting in the development of new applications for specific research areas and questions.
The successful applicant will have significant experience running and troubleshooting developmental microscope systems and image data analysis and with prior experience in optical microscope development. They will have the proven ability to work closely with researchers from both the physical and biological sciences to understand their needs and translate these into advanced optical microscopy solutions.
The postholder will be responsible for the management, support and future development of the MIC, with ongoing training and consultation with key stakeholders. This is an exciting opportunity to grow and develop a multi-user imaging facility. This role would suite an organised, detail orientated individual who can manage their own workload and problem solve effectively. Excellent communication skills and strong interpersonal skills are essential.
The MIC is based at the Guys Campus but travel to other King’s campuses may be required as the MIC portfolio develops.
This post will be offered on an indefinite contract.
This is a full-time post - 100% full time equivalent.
Key responsibilities
Efficiently run the Microscopy Innovation Centre (MIC), supporting operations, and maintaining a high standard of service and quality, ensuring effective usage of all equipment.
Promoting the biological applications of complex, developmental microscope systems to a range of users and potential users across the King’s research community, and the wider scientific community including Euro-Bioimaging.
Contributing to delivery of a high-quality service to users including planning and running projects and studies with users and set-up and troubleshooting of user experiments and data analysis.
Developing and maintaining a network of scientific collaborators (academic, commercial partners, and through professional bodies) to identify new equipment, methods and applications relevant to the Centre and its users.
Building and identifying relationships for future collaborations, opportunities and potential sources of funds.
Undertaking advanced technical problem solving to identify and resolve problems in sample preparation, imaging or analysis, and where necessary liaising with colleagues and equipment manufacturers to find and implement solutions.
Assisting in preparation of progress and management reports (covering users, training, income/funding and related publications) on the performance of the Centre.
Maintain up-to-date knowledge in microscopy to ensure a good foundation for providing technical expertise in microscopy experimental methods and advice in microscopy sample prep, image acquisition and analysis.
Have day to day responsibility for the safe management and operation of the facility, as defined in the facility’s health and safety local rules, supported by the RMID health and safety manager and local safety officer. Awareness of local, RMID and university safety policies and procedures, ensuring suitable training and instruction of facility staff, inspections and investigations are carried out and key safety documentation is in place for the facility and kept up to date.
Provide logistical, technical and scientific support to users, including commercial and collaborative projects being undertaken in the Centre.
Contribute to events within King’s to publicise and promote the MIC in consultation with the Business Development Manager and Scientific Advisory Board.
Manage the communications of the Centre, representing the MIC in internal and external meetings including the MIC Scientific Advisory Board meetings and management meetings with RMID
Plan and prioritise own work, considering the needs of the Centre and its users. This will include prioritising user training and access, scheduling any maintenance of systems within the Centre, planning and preparing seminars or workshops, assisting users with experimental design and image analysis.
Contribute to KCL student teaching/training as part of MIC workshops.
Undertake any other reasonable duties that may be relevant to the role outline.
The above list of responsibilities may not be exhaustive, and the post holder will be required to undertake such tasks and responsibilities as may reasonably be expected within the scope and grading of the post.
Skills, knowledge, and experience

Essential Criteria

• Undergraduate degree or equivalent in a relevant scientific subject.
• Experience of managing a microscopy facility or equivalent.
• Significant knowledge and practical experience of constructing, running and troubleshooting developmental optical microscope systems.
• Knowledge and practical experience in the application of advanced microscopy to biological samples, including image data processing and analysis.
• Good research track record in own research area relevant to the post (ideally at the interface between the physical and biological sciences).
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with both the physical and biological sciences research communities.
• Effective relationship-building and stakeholder management skills within a complex organisation and with a range of colleagues including academic, clinical and professional services.
• Ability to manage change, both personally and as part of a developing team; adopting a flexible approach to design, development and delivery of scientific services.
• Ability to work independently including planning and prioritisation of workload.
• Enthusiasm for instrument and applications development and commitment to giving good advice and technical support to users, adopting a customer-led service approach.
• Commitment to diversity and inclusion in alignment with King’s Guiding Principles.

Desirable criteria

• PhD in a relevant scientific subject.
• Knowledge of the HE sector and UK research funding
• Experience of working in the UK HE Sector

Please refer the Job description for details