Associate Director, Histopathology Sciences

Associate Director, Histopathology Sciences

We are seeking an experienced scientific leader to manage the ~$1.0MM combined operation of Histopathology Sciences, an interdisciplinary, multi-user core facility. The role oversees direct reports in four component areas: Histology, Clinical Chemistry, Electron Microscopy and Necropsy Service operations which directly supports JAX’s research and pathology functions. Fulfilling these responsibilities requires extensive knowledge of microscopy approaches, technologies, sample handling and command of basic research principles as well as good leadership, management and communication skills. Oversight of this group includes staff management and guiding process improvement as well as forecasting, and budgeting. Additional administrative responsibilities include metric development and monitoring as well as grant applications and related reporting.

1. Managing Operations - Overseeing operational management of reporting areas including Histology, Clinical Chemistry, Electron Microscopy and Necropsy Services. This position establishes major schedules, project management assignments and the allocation of manpower, space and equipment to ensure departmental commitments are met in compliance with institutional standards of operation and safety. Oversee instrument and facility operations and maintenance. Facilitate troubleshooting in this area in a timely manner. Manages direct reporting staff and activity; ensures best practice is followed by reporting managers/supervisors in overseeing their reports. Assesses employee’s performance including writing reviews, assuring technical growth and competence through goal setting and facilitated training. Recruiting and training new personnel as needed. Establishes and ensures service QC. Monitors adherence to department and institutional policy; assures SOPs and best practices are identified, incorporated, and followed as part of service routine. Oversees or directly delivers activity tracking and billing activities - assuring that all required logs are maintained, and all billing is completed in an accurate and timely manner.

2. Administrative Duties: Responsible for administrative aspects of Service operations. Responsible for the areas operating and capital budget, space, technology and service expansion planning. Develops area operating and capital budgets, operates facility within budget, overseeing subsequent management for all reporting areas; provides forecasting; participates in costing. Participates in grant writing as required, responsible for grant reporting when applicable. Also serves on institutional committees as needed. Participates in Departmental planning and development.

3. Service Customer Relations & User Communications: Host user meetings as required, troubleshoot specific user needs, survey user(s) to assess satisfaction & changing needs. Effectively communicate with scientists in protocol development & data interpretation; consult with users on experiment design and materials & methods optimization. Assist faculty, research support staff and students by training them to carry out advanced electron microscopy techniques.

4. Delivers Electron Microscopy Expertise:

• Directly deliver state-of-the-art electron microscopy services as the senior microscopist. Maintains current understanding of accepted specialty practices including an understanding of EMs “state-of-the-art.”
• Evaluate new equipment Involved in designing and carrying out experimental protocols for users, operating and maintaining microscopes and keeping the facility operating at an efficient and high level of productivity.
• Collaborates and/or assists an array of researchers with their EM projects.
• Training individuals in the use of electron microscopes
• Prepares biological and other specimens for both TEM and SEM, operation of the EM’s to evaluate specimens and to take, develop and print micrographs of the samples (standard and digital images).
• Other duties as assigned

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Education Required: Bachelor’s Degree
• Education Preferred: PhD, Master’s Degree or equivalent experience
• Experience Required: 5+ years
• Incumbent will maintain membership in histology professional organizations, attend external professional meetings and apply information from those meetings to the facility operations as warranted.
• Must have working knowledge of design, theory and functioning of the TEM and SEM, including skill in operating and trouble-shooting these instruments; 2) knowledge of design, theory and functioning of EM preparatory equipment (e.g. ultramicrotomes, sputter coaters, critical point dryers, vacuum evaporators), including skill in operating and troubleshooting; 3) experience in performing immuno-electron microscopy techniques, cytochemical methods, shadow casting, negative staining and thin & thick sectioning; 4) experience in photographic techniques (standard and digital).-and electron micrograph data interpretation; 5) A sound knowledge of necessary safety procedures for working in an EM Facility; 6) Ability to design and modify experimental protocols.
• Must have a mature and professional approach and must be an exceptional verbal and written communicator.
• Must thrive in a constantly changing environment and enjoy working with a diverse client base; requires excellent inter-personal skills to work with a variety of researchers. Must be a comfortable interface in an intense customer needs-driven role.
• Must be experienced in budget development, planning, forecasting and grant writing. Excellent math and written skills are required.
• Must have had prior personnel management experience including tasking, evaluation, skill building, training and general performance management. Should be able to critically evaluate technical work product of others and identify and address process improvement opportunities.
• Must be an effective team builder.
• Advanced facility with computer applications/tools is essential; familiarity with LIMS applications and implementation is preferred.
• Self-motivated, independent, patient and disciplined.

Pay Range: $113,718 - $190,388 per year dependent upon experience.

About JAX:

The Jackson Laboratory is an independent, nonprofit biomedical research institution with a National Cancer Institute-designated Cancer Center and nearly 3,000 employees in locations across the United States (Maine, Connecticut, California), Japan and China. Its mission is to discover precise genomic solutions for disease and empower the global biomedical community in the shared quest to improve human health.

Founded in 1929, JAX applies over nine decades of expertise in genetics to increase understanding of human disease, advancing treatments and cures for cancer, neurological and immune disorders, diabetes, aging and heart disease. It models and interprets genomic complexity, integrates basic research with clinical application, educates current and future scientists, and provides critical data, tools and services to the global biomedical community. For more information, please visit www.jax.org​​​​​​​.

EEO Statement:

The Jackson Laboratory provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment in all job classifications without regard to race, color, religion, age, mental disability, physical disability, medical condition, gender, sexual orientation, genetic information, ancestry, marital status, national origin, veteran status, and other classifications protected by applicable state and local non-discrimination laws.