Research Specialist – Light Microscopy, HHMI Janelia Research Campus, USA

Janelia Research Campus is a pioneering research center in Ashburn, Virginia, where scientists pursue fundamental questions in neuroscience and imaging. The Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) launched Janelia in 2006, establishing an intellectually distinctive environment for scientists to do creative, collaborative, hands-on work.   Our integrated teams of biologists, computational scientists, and tool-builders pursue a small number of scientific questions with potential for transformative impact.  We share our methods, results, and tools with the scientific community.  It is a uniquely innovative and collaborative atmosphere that reflects HHMI’s reputation for excellence.

About the Light Microscopy Facility:

The Light Microscopy (LM) Facility at Janelia Research Campus is a shared resources environment accessible to Janelia scientists and their collaborators. Our imaging capabilities support most experiments involving, but not limited to, fixed and live specimens, cultured cells, tissue slices, whole mouse brains, as well as zebrafish and drosophila embryos. We offer project-specific training and consultation, technical assistance for image analysis, and periodically arrange in-depth workshops on microscopy theory, techniques, and image processing. We currently house a full complement of state-of-the-art microscopes including pre-commercial systems consisting of the following: point-scanning confocal and spinning disk confocal microscopes (including AiryScan and SoRa) with 2-photon and photomanipulation capabilities, widefield microscopes for high-content slide scanning and cytometric analysis, commercial light sheet systems and custom-built lattice light sheet microscopes (using adaptive optics or optimized for expansion microscopy), and a STED microscope.

Job Summary and Responsibilities:

The primary responsibility of the Research Specialist is to provide image acquisition and analysis services to Janelia researchers. The Research Specialist will work closely with Janelia researchers to assist them in rapidly evaluating, configuring, and implementing facility microscopes, while providing guidance on sample preparation and mounting as well as optimizing acquisition parameters and imaging conditions. Primary responsibilities include maintaining, operating, and providing training for commercial equipment in addition to custom-built instruments. The Research Specialist will also organize training workshops for researchers on microscope optics, existing and new technologies, software, and instrumentation.

Specific responsibilities include:

• Provide consultation to users on how to best use the available imaging resources to achieve their research goals.
  • Requires the ability to quickly comprehend, analyze, and suggest solutions to the specific imaging needs of research projects under development in the labs.
• Maintain a full complement of state-of-the-art microscopy equipment as well as regularly check the performance of the optical systems and perform necessary alignments and calibrations.
• Serve as a resident expert on all optical systems at the facility with thorough understanding of their operations, applications, and associated software.
• Provide training in the use of microscopes and image analysis software, such as ImageJ/Fiji and Imaris.
• Acquire and analyze images for Janelia researchers, providing imaging services tailored to the exact needs of their studies.
• Design, evaluate, and perform specialized techniques of sample preparation as needed.
• Organize and/or participate in workshops and training programs on optics and imaging principles that strengthen education and research potential.
• Interface with microscope manufacturers, suppliers, and service staff to coordinate repairs and preventive maintenance.
• Manage temporary data storage and transfer for researcher data.

For additional information please check the job offer.