Director, Electron Microscopy Biological Research Core

Position Summary The Director of the Electron Microscopy (EM) Biological Research Core Facility provides strategic, scientific, and operational leadership for a state-of-the-art shared research resource in the Research Resources Center (RRC). The Director oversees personnel, instrumentation, and services supporting transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and associated sample preparation techniques for research. This position partners with faculty, trainees, and external collaborators to design, execute, and interpret cutting-edge research projects, while ensuring high-quality service delivery, fiscal sustainability, regulatory compliance, and continuous innovation within the facility. Duties Responsibilities Leadership and Administration Provide overall leadership and vision for the EM Biological Core Facility, ensuring alignment with the university’s research mission and strategic priorities. Supervise, mentor, and evaluate EM core staff performing microscopy operations, sample preparation, training, and data collection. Foster a collaborative, service-oriented culture that supports investigators at all career stages and from diverse academic and industrial backgrounds. Develop and implement policies, standard operating procedures, and best practices for facility operations and user access. Scientific and Technical Oversight Oversee operation, maintenance, and optimization of transmission electron microscopes and associated ancillary equipment (such as 120kV electron microscope.) Ensure staff provide extensive training to users with varying levels of experience on EM instruments and their related ancillary equiptment. Guide and support advanced biological sample preparation techniques, including routine and non-routine specimens, with method development as needed. Oversee microtomy for EM and LM applications, including staining techniques; support development of advanced microtomy methods. Provide scientific consultation in experimental design, data acquisition strategies, and interpretation of EM image data. Promote and support advanced methodologies, including cryo-EM and cryo-related instrumentation, as institutional capabilities evolve. Research Collaboration and Service Collaborate with investigators to develop EM-based research approaches that enhance experimental outcomes and competitiveness for extramural funding. Serve as a scientific partner on interdisciplinary research projects, grants, and publications as appropriate. Ensure delivery of high-quality EM services and training that meet user needs and institutional standards. Fiscal and Operational Management Collaborate on the development of cost-recovery models, provide service cost estimates, and oversee routine monthly billing for EM services rendered. Manage the oversight of expenditures, service revenue, and financial sustainability of the core. In consultation with relevant stakeholders, oversee ordering of supplies, service contracts, and equipment necessary for efficient facility operation. Strategic Development Lead planning for future instrumentation acquisitions, upgrades, and emerging technologies in biomedical electron microscopy. Represent the EM Biological Core Facility within the institution and to external stakeholders as appropriate. Other Duties Perform other responsibilities as assigned in support of the research mission of the university. Perform other related duties and participate in special projects as assigned.