Job Description

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. Under one roof, the scientific research combines current issues in cryo-EM on biomacromolecules and in condensed matter physics with the aim of advancing electron microscopy methods. The facility has been extended with state-of-the-art cryo-microscopes ThermoFisher 2 x Titan Krios, Talos Arctica and Talos 120 as well as FIB-SEM Aquilos 2 and Arctis. In the framework of ER-C2.0, we expanded our instrumentation with worldwide unique nanocharacterisation tools for the Life and the Physical Sciences. In addition to routine single-particle cryo-EM and in situ cryo-electron tomography, emerging 4D-STEM, helium temperature and Cc-corrector technologies are actively developed in a new building. The Structural Biology subinstitute (ER-C-3) investigates the structural and molecular mechanism of membrane biology processes and advances the development of cryo-EM related methodology.

Your Job:

The Jülich campus hosts a vibrant electron microscopy, biophysics and structural biology community.



We are seeking to recruit a team leader to head the new life science electron microscopy facility, to be established at the Ernst Ruska-Centre. The activities of the facility support cutting-edge methodological as well as topical cryo-EM research for internal and external users. The position will oversee microscope user operation, training and outreach activities of the facility together with technical and specialist support staff. The center has a focus on microscopy method development as well as focused topical biological and physical research. Forschungszentrum Jülich has recently become part of the German Instruct-ERIC Center offering external cryo-EM user access at the European level.




Your tasks in detail:



Organize and oversee an accessible and developing infrastructure for internal and external cryo-EM users. Coordinate use, maintenance and performance of microscope equipment in the facility (Talos120, Arctica, 2 x Krios, Aquilos, Arctis). Integrate novel future hardware technologies, e.g., double Cs/Cc imaging correctors, Helium temperature and STEM, into sustainable internal and external user operation. Engaging with researchers and vendors to explore emerging techniques and prototype developments in the field in close coordination with ER-C directors. Training, supervising and mentoring cryo-EM specialists and technicians in single-particle cryo-EM and cryo-electron tomography application and execution. Carrying out independent research on implementing emerging and innovative electron microscopy methodologies (30 %). Offer services to clients from industry in addition to academic users. Providing a visible hub for cryo-EM at the ER-C - creating and running workshops to disseminate to the scientific community cryo-EM aspects of theory, sample preparation, data acquisition, analysis and preparation for publication.

Your Profile:

Master degree in biology, chemistry, physics or related field, ideally with subsequent PhD degree in a relevant area A track record of scientific and/or technological achievements in electron microscopy Several years of experience of microscope operation in a structural biology or materials science EM facility Experience with maintaining and purchasing microscopy hardware Strong communication skills and ability to work with internal colleagues and external visitors in an international and interdisciplinary team Strong willingness to grow into a leadership role or already existing experience in leading a team

Our Offer:

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 offer you:



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. The activities are embedded in a long-term supported scientific infrastructure within outstanding electron microscopy environment together with the Biological and Physical sciences. Direct access to high-level cryo-EM infrastructure at the Ernst-Ruska Centre2.0 including a new building. The facility has been extended with state-of-the-art cryo-microscopes and FIB-SEMs of ThermoFisher, 2x Titan Krios, Talos Arctica and FIB-SEMs Aquilos 2, Arctis. As part of the National Roadmap for Research Infrastructures of the ERC 2.0, access to worldwide unique electron microscope instruments including more than 15 high-end microscopes for shared use between Material and Life sciences. Excellent manufacturer support and very rapid response time for equipment maintenance and development in the context of the large Ernst-Ruska Centre facility. Working in a dynamic team of researchers with backgrounds in different disciplines across biology, chemistry, physics and informatics to advance cryo-EM methods. A wide range of scientific challenges covering user support, training, teaching and method development for structural biology. Additional support by the ER-C user office for user operation Structured leadership development to build and strengthen your team-leading skills Targeted services for international employees, e.g. through our International Advisory Service Long-term prospect: Following an initial fixed-term contract of 2 years, our aim is to offer you a position on a long-term basis. Let`s use this time to discover how well we fit together.



Salary and social benefits will conform to the provisions of the Collective Agreement for the Public Service (TVöD-Bund), pay group 14-15, depending on the applicant’s qualifications and the precise nature of the tasks assigned to them. All information about the Collective Agreement for the Public Service (TVöD-Bund) can be found on the BMI website: https://go.fzj.de/bmi.tvoed The monthly salaries in euro can be found here: https://go.fzj.de/bmi.tvoed.entgelt



In addition to exciting tasks and a collaborative working atmosphere at Jülich, we have a lot more to offer: https://go.fzj.de/benefits



We welcome applications from people with diverse backgrounds, e.g. in terms of age, gender, disability, sexual orientation / identity, and social, ethnic and religious origin. A diverse and inclusive working environment with equal opportunities in which everyone can realize their potential is important to us. The following links provide further information on diversity and equal opportunities: https://go.fzj.de/equality and on specific support options for women: https://go.fzj.de/womens-job-journey