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Technical Officer – Electron Microscopy Core Facility
Location: Heidelberg, Germany
Staff Category: Staff Member
Contract Duration: 3 years
Grading: 4, 5 or 6, depending on experience and qualifications
Closing Date: 3 March 2013
Reference number: HD_00323

Job Description
The European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) is one of the highest ranked scientific research organisations in the world. The Headquarters Laboratory is located in Heidelberg (Germany), with additional sites in Grenoble (France), Hamburg (Germany), Hinxton (UK) and Monterotondo (Italy). The Electron Microscopy Core Facility, located in the main laboratory in Heidelberg, is seeking to appoint a Technical Officer.
The Electron Microscopy Core Facility (EMCF) is a service providing facility interacting with the various groups from EMBL (main laboratory and outstations) along with external collaborators from the local area and from international institutions. The EMCF offers access to conventional and cutting edge techniques, and is also involved in technological and methodological developments in the fields of sample preparation for EM and in correlative light and electron microscopy. The successful candidate will integrate in this open and technically advanced environment.
The major task of the Technical Officer in the EMCF will be to contribute to these services and technological development activities that involve:
• performing the sample preparation techniques for electron microscopy, from fixation to embedding in resins.
• performing sections by ultra and cryo-ultramicrotomy.
• performing pre- and post-embedding immunolabeling
• performing EM acquisitions on the available systems of the Electron Microscopy Core Facility.
The Technical Officer will directly participate in the research projects and will be responsible for training and providing technical assistance for students and postdoctoral fellows visiting the facility. In addition, the Technical Officer will be in charge of the general organization of the laboratory, including the management of the different workstations in the facility. Involvement in the maintenance of reagents and protocols databases will also be required.
Qualifications and Experience
The ideal candidate has a university degree in biology or an equivalent technical degree as a Technical Officer. (S)he has previous experience in light and electron microscopy (both TEM and SEM) for cell biology. (S)he has a good experience in sample preparation methods for electron microscopy, including chemical fixation, cryo-methods (HPF, freeze substitution) and ultramicrotomy (including cryo-ultramicrotomy), as well as immuno-electron microscopy. An attraction to technological development and innovation are important skills for the Technical Officer’s mission in this group.
Experience in training and laboratory organization would be an advantage. (S)he must be able to work reliably, efficiently, independently and with a great sense of responsibility and enjoy working in an international and highly collaborative team of scientists. Basic user skills of Microsoft Office are a plus. Excellent communication skills and fluency in English are required.

Application Instructions
Please apply online through www.embl.org/jobs

Additional Information
EMBL is an inclusive, equal opportunity employer offering attractive conditions and benefits appropriate to an international research organisation.
Please note that appointments on fixed term contracts can be renewed, depending on circumstances at the time of the review.