Chief Electron Microscopy Technician

Role overview

This position leads day-to-day electron microscopy core-facility activities with full technical independence. The role serves as the internal expert for electron microscopy methods, tools, and workflows, sets technical standards across the facility, and supports both research and clinical electron microscopy services. It also involves advising stakeholders, improving workflows, and helping the core meet institutional research goals.

About the facility

The Electron Microscopy Core Facility supports investigators with a wide range of biological and biomedical imaging services. These include transmission electron microscopy of cells and tissues, whole-mount scanning electron microscopy, negative staining, correlative light and electron microscopy, immunogold labeling, high-pressure freezing, freeze substitution, array tomography, and volume electron microscopy. The facility is also expanding its capabilities with advanced platforms and new instrumentation to strengthen research support and imaging capacity.

What you will do

• Handle and supervise sample preparation for TEM, SEM, negative staining, immunolabeling, CLEM, and volume EM work.
• Run and support advanced electron microscopy systems, including TEM, SEM, FIB-SEM, high-pressure freezing, freeze substitution, ultramicrotomy, coating, and critical-point drying equipment.
• Support imaging on instruments such as FEI Tecnai G2 Spirit BioTwin, JEOL 1400 Plus, Zeiss Sigma VP, and Thermo Scientific Hydra Bio Plasma FIB-SEM.
• Guide researchers in TEM and SEM operation, sample processing, and negative staining procedures.
• Manage project flow, sample receiving, scheduling, and communication with users of the core facility.
• Diagnose sample-preparation and imaging issues and recommend the most suitable electron microscopy approach for each project.
• Maintain protocols, quality controls, instrument readiness, and laboratory safety practices.
• Help expand advanced capabilities such as volume EM, CLEM, high-pressure freezing, and immunogold labeling.

Preferred background

The ideal candidate has substantial hands-on experience in biological electron microscopy, especially in sample preparation and imaging for TEM and/or SEM. Familiarity with ultramicrotomy, resin embedding, negative staining, immunogold labeling, high-pressure freezing, freeze substitution, or volume EM is strongly preferred. Experience working with researchers from varied scientific backgrounds is also important, along with strong communication, documentation, organization, and troubleshooting abilities. Prior core-facility, academic research, or biomedical imaging experience is a plus.

Experience and education

A relevant Master’s degree or Bachelor’s degree in a scientific, engineering, or biomedical field is required. Experience requirements are either 3 years of progressively responsible electron microscopy experience with growing leadership responsibility when paired with a Master’s degree, or 5 years of progressively responsible electron microscopy experience with growing leadership responsibility when paired with a Bachelor’s degree.

Benefits

Eligible employees receive a competitive benefits package that includes PPO medical coverage available on day one at no cost for full-time employee-only coverage, 100% preventive healthcare coverage with no copay, paid time off starting on day one, retirement benefits through the Teacher Retirement System of Texas, paid parental leave, wellness programs, tuition reimbursement, and Public Service Loan Forgiveness-qualifying employer status.

Additional information

The role is based in Heidelberg, Baden-Württemberg, Germany, and is listed as a full-time onsite position. The facility is in a period of growth and innovation, with new tools such as the Thermo Scientific Hydra Bio Plasma FIB-SEM and an upcoming JEOL 120 kV JEM-120i TEM strengthening its research support capabilities.