Biologist, Physicist - Cryo Electron Microscopy (m/f/d)

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Job description

Conducting research for a changing society: This is what drives us at Forschungszentrum Jülich. As a member of the Helmholtz Association, we aim to tackle the grand societal challenges of our time and conduct research into the possibilities of a digitized society, a climate-friendly energy system, and a resource-efficient economy. Work together with around 6,800 employees in one of Europe's biggest research centres and help us to shape change!

The Ernst Ruska-Centre for Microscopy and Spectroscopy with Electrons (ER-C) at Forschungszentrum Jülich houses some of the world's most advanced electron microscopes and tools for nanocharacterisation. Our scientific research combines current issues in condensed matter physics and cryo-EM on biomacromolecules with the aim of advancing electron microscopy methods. Under one roof, the ER-C has a total of 15 electron microscopes including the PICO FEI Titan with a point resolution of 0.5 Å. The facility has been extended with the state-of-the-art cryo-microscopes ThermoFisher Titan Krios, Talos Arctica, both equipped with a Bioquantum K3, and Talos 120 as well as FIB-SEM Aquilos 2. At the Ernst Ruska-Centre for Microscopy and Spectroscopy with Electrons - Structural Biology (ER-C-3) - we investigate the structural and molecular mechanism of membrane biology processes and push the development of cryo-EM-related methodology. Our campus in Jülich hosts a vibrant electron microscopy, biophysics, and structural biology community.

We are seeking to recruit a

Cryo-EM Specialist (m/f/d)

to support the biological research and facility activities at the ER-C-3 in the field of Structural Biology at Forschungszentrum Jülich.

Preparing and optimizing cryo-EM samples
Acquiring data, evaluating and assessing data for in-house and external users carrying out structural biology projects with the following possible focus areas: 3D image processing of single-particle and/or tomography data and/or FIB-SEM operation for the preparation of cryo-FIB lamellae of vitrified cells
Co-developing novel acquisition workflows and/or processing schemes tailored to advancing cryo-EM projects
Participation in improving methodology for high-resolution cryo-EM structure determination at the ER-C3 for structural biology
Dissemination of cryo-EM know-how including dedicated trainings and courses

Master's degree in biology, physics, or a related field
Strong communication skills and ability to work with internal colleagues and external visitors in an international and interdisciplinary team
Experience in cryo-electron microscopy in structural biology or material science
Experience with microscopy hardware and/or common single-particle software packages running in an HPC environment so that you can help other users and establish new routines for the cryo-EM workflow
We work on the very latest issues that impact our society and are offering you the chance to actively help in shaping the change. We support you in your work with:

The chance to work at one of the largest research centers in Germany with excellent scientific equipment and leading European computational resources, located on a green campus, and near the cultural centers Köln, Düsseldorf, and Aachen; the Jülich campus also hosts a vibrant biophysics, bioinformatics, and structural biology community
Direct access to high-level cryo-EM infrastructure at the Ernst-Ruska Centre; the facility has been extended with state-of-the-art cryo-microscopes and FIB-SEMs of ThermoFisher Titan Krios, Talos Arctica, and FIB-SEM Aquilos 2; future extension of an ERC 2.0 facility is already in planning
Excellent manufacturer support and very rapid response time for equipment maintenance and development in the context of the large Ernst-Ruska Center facility
The development within a long-term supported scientific infrastructure is embedded in competitive structural biology research
Working in a dynamic team of researchers with backgrounds in different disciplines across biology, chemistry, physics, and informatics to advance cryo-EM methods
Full-time position with the option of slightly reduced working hours and 30 days of annual leave
Targeted services for international employees, e.g. through our International Advisory Service

We offer you an exciting and varied role in an international and interdisciplinary working environment. The position is initially for a fixed term of two years with possible long-term prospects. Salary and social benefits are in conformity with the provisions of the Collective Agreement for the Public Service (TVöD).

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