Research Support Officer - Structural Studies - Electron Microscopy Facility

at  Medical Research Council

Open Date
29/07/2024, 08:00
Close Date
26/08/2024, 23:55
Research Institute
MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology
As this job does not fulfil the UK Government minimum salary criterion for obtaining sponsored migrant worker status we will be unable to apply for sponsorship for anyone not eligible to work in the UK. At interview, all shortlisted candidates are required to bring with them identification documents and original documents that prove they hold or can obtain the right to work in the UK. You can check your eligibility here: https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa/y
Research Institute / Unit Information
The MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology (LMB) is one of the birthplaces of modern molecular biology and has played an important role in the development of many new techniques, most notably protein crystallography, cryo-electron microscopy, DNA sequencing and monoclonal antibodies. The LMB has a clear goal of understanding biological processes at the molecular level, with the ultimate aim of using this knowledge to tackle specific problems in human health and disease. We aim to tackle difficult, long-term problems, which often require investment over many years.
There are four scientific Divisions - Structural Studies, Protein and Nucleic Acid Chemistry, Cell Biology and Neurobiology. However, scientific collaboration between the different Divisions is extensive. Scientists are well supported by excellent scientific facilities and by the LMB Operations Group which maintains the core infrastructure and services of the institute.
The LMB provides an unsurpassed environment for both new and established researchers. Scientists are drawn to the LMB from all over the world, thus creating a lively and international community for the exchange of ideas and technical innovation
UK Research and Innovation is a new entity that brings together nine partners to create an independent organisation with a strong voice for research and innovation, more information can be found at www.ukri.org
Band

MRC - 4/5

Location
Cambridge
Salary
Band 4: £39,375 - £43,962 Band 5: £29,808 - £34,085
Contract Type
Permanent
Job Type
Science
Full Time / Part Time
Full Time
Job Description

EDUCATION / QUALIFICATIONS / TRAINING REQUIRED:

Essential:

• PhD in biology, engineering, physics, materials sciences or equivalent level of experience or training in a relevant subject.

PREVIOUS WORK EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

Essential:

• Proficiency in using transmission electron microscopes.
• Substantial experience in biological sample preparation for transmission electron microscopy.
• Excellent knowledge of cryo-electron microscopy techniques, such as single particles analysis, cryo-electron tomography.
• Experience in user training and support.

Desirable:

• Experience in the maintenance, repair and management of electron microscopes.
• Experience in operating focused ion beam or equivalent tools.

TECHNICAL SKILLS

Essential:

• Excellent knowledge of precision scientific or technical instrumentation.
• Excellent knowledge of electron microscopy including an understanding of electron physics, optics and vacuum systems.
• Excellent IT skills, including knowledge of Linux OS and image processing suites.

VERBAL AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATION SKILLS

Essential:

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• The ability to communicate at different levels of technical complexity with both novice and advanced users, as well as experts including service engineers.
• Experience in writing protocols or help-sheets.

PERSONAL SKILLS / BEHAVIOURS / QUALITIES:

Essential:

• Excellent standards of professional conduct.
• Strong skills and experience in working collaboratively as a member of a team.
• A pro-active and conscientious attitude to work.

PREVIOUS WORK EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

Essential:

• Experience working with precision scientific or technical instrumentation.

Desirable:

• Experience in the maintenance or installation of precision scientific or technical instrumentation.
• Experience working with electron microscopes.

TECHNICAL SKILLS

Essential:

• The ability to acquire new techniques quickly.
• Good IT skills.

Desirable:

• Experience in the design of technical instrumentation.

VERBAL AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATION SKILLS

Essential:

• Very good verbal and written communication skills.

Desirable:

• The ability to communicate at all levels of technical complexity with both novices and experts.

PERSONAL SKILLS / BEHAVIOURS / QUALITIES:

Essential:

• Excellent standards of conduct.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• An ability to work well as a member of a small team.
• A pro-active and conscientious attitude to work.

Desirable:

• Experience in liaising with users/customers.
• Ability to multitask in a dynamic environment.

Further Information

You must at all times carry out your responsibilities with due regard to the UKRI:

• Code of Conduct
• Equality, Diversity and Inclusion policy
• Health and Safety policy
• Data Protection policy

Job descriptions should be reviewed on a regular basis and at the annual appraisal. Any changes should be made and agreed between you and your manager.
The above lists are not exhaustive and you are required to undertake such duties as may reasonably be requested within the scope of the post. All employees are required to act professionally, co-operatively and flexibly in line with the requirements of the post, the MRC and UKRI.
The role holder will be required to have the appropriate level of security screening/vetting required for the role. UKRI reserves the right to run or re-run security clearance as required during the course of employment.
The MRC is a unique working environment where scientific researchers and professional support staff can actively partake in world class innovation and collaboration opportunities and their skills and knowledge through accessing a wide catalogue of training & development, including professional registration with the Science Council.
In addition, MRC (part of UKRI) provides its community of employees access to a whole host of useful benefits, including a defined benefit pension scheme and excellent holiday entitlement (30 days plus 2.5 privilege days & 8 bank holidays), family friendly policies (6 months full pay maternity & adoption leave), a range of shopping/travel discounts, access to our Employee Assistant Programme Scheme, Health and Wellbeing Support and a salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme. Please follow this link to find out more - Benefits
Our success is dependent upon our ability to embrace diversity and draw on the skills, understanding and experience of all our people. We warmly invite people from diverse backgrounds and heritage, including people who identify as having a disability, to apply for a role that excites them. As “Disability Confident” employers, we guarantee to interview all applicants who have disclosed they have a disability and who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy.
UKRI supports research in areas that include animal health, agriculture and food security, and bioscience for health which includes research on animals, genetic modification and stem cell research. Whilst you may not have direct involvement in this type of research, you should consider whether this conflicts with your personal values or beliefs.
We will conduct a full and comprehensive pre-employment check as an essential part of the recruitment process on all individuals that are offered a position with UKRI. This will include a security check and an extreme organisations affiliation check. The role holder will be required to have the appropriate level of security screening/vetting required for the role. UKRI reserves the right to run or re-run security clearance as required during the course of employment

OVERALL PURPOSE:

To play a vital role in supporting and training Electron Microscopy (EM) Facility users at MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology (LMB), as well as in the maintenance and operation of state-of-the-art electron microscopes

MAIN DUTIES/ KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Offer daily assistance and troubleshooting for users, by promptly addressing and resolving hardware and software issues.
• Provide advice on best practices to ensure optimal usage of the Facility’s resources.
• Assist in the organisation and installation of new or replacement equipment and software, ensuring seamless integration into the facility.
• Train new users to proficiently operate the Facility’s electron microscopes and associated equipment.
• Support or perform the setup of cryo-electron microscopy data collection to facilitate research.
• Create and maintain comprehensive documentation for all protocols, procedures, and equipment.
• Manage the user-booking system to ensure equitable access to the Facility’s resources.
• Collaborate with LMB scientists on research projects aimed at enhancing the performance, efficiency, and usability of the electron microscopes through software or hardware modifications.
• Stay updated with developments in the field, proposing and implementing new techniques and directions as needed.
• Introduce and apply innovative techniques across various disciplines to keep the Facility at the forefront of scientific research.
• Contribute to lab-wide discussions on new developments and the implementation of cutting-edge techniques, ensuring the Facility remains a leader in electron microscopy research.

OVERALL PURPOSE:

To play a vital role in assisting the Electron Microscopy (EM) Facility in the maintenance and operation of state-of-the art electron microscopes.

MAIN DUTIES/ KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

In collaboration with other Facility staff, your responsibilities will include:

• Ensuring that ancillary equipment such as plasma cleaners, vacuum coaters, vitrobots, and glow dischargers operate smoothly.
• Providing basic training and support to facility users.
• Assisting users with sample preparation.
• Managing cryo-specimen storage systems and liquid nitrogen supply.
• Coordinating engineer visits for equipment maintenance.
• Aiding other facility staff with tasks such as protocol writing, record keeping, and user communication.
• Contributing to research projects focused on methodology development for cryo-electron microscopy.

You must at all times carry out your responsibilities with due regard to the UKRI:

• Code of Conduct
• Equality, Diversity and Inclusion policy
• Health and Safety policy
• Data Protection polic