Team Leader – Head of Electron Microscopy Core Facility

Team Leader â€" Head of Electron Microscopy Core Facility

Location: Heidelberg, Germany
Staff Category: Staff Member
Contract Duration: 5 years
Grading: 9
Closing Date: 10 June 2012
Reference number: HD_00230

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) and the outstations are in Grenoble (France), Hamburg (Germany), Hinxton (UK) and Monterotondo (Italy).

EMBL is searching for a Team Leader and Head of its electron microscopy core facility (EMCF). The team currently comprises a mixed service and research team (jointly affiliated with EMBLs Core Facilities Services and Cell Biology and Biophysics units) with four members dedicated to service staff and four to research and development. It provides advanced electron microscopy, including electron tomography and correlative light and electron microscopy, services to EMBL and external users from EMBL’s member states. The facility furthermore regularly organizes international courses to train scientists in EM methods and actively collaborates wit h industrial partners to develop new applications of EM. In addition the facility collaborates closely with EMBL’s Advanced Light Microscopy Facility, EMBL’s mechanical and electronic workshops and in-house research groups for new EM technology development.

In addition to organizing and providing highest quality service in EM, it is therefore desirable that the future Team Leader also has an interest in EM methods development in order to maintain the technology at the cutting edge and extend the facility’s service portfolio to enable new biological applications. Such new methods could include, but are not limited to, new 3D EM methods (e.g. serial scanning methods), automation for high throughput EM, new correlative EM methods or new data analysis methods. Methods development could be driven by an independent interest in biological questions that can be addressed by EM or by a keen interest in scientific collaborations with biological research groups at EMBL. If appropriate, a joint appointment as a research Team Leader in one of EMBL’s biological research Units, as is currently the case with the Cell Biology and Biophysics Unit, is foreseen to strengthen and support these interactions. The successful candidate should have in depth knowledge and broad experience in electron microscopy methods including data analysis. Excellent organizational skills, experience in EM service, and training, and strong skills to manage a team of technical and scientific personnel will be essential. The Team Leader should have excellent communication skills since the facility will be used by many in-house scientists (including all of EMBL’s five sites) as well as by international visitors coming from EMBL’s member states. The successful candidate should have a strong motivation to work in the multidisciplinary and collaborative environment of EMBL with its many research groups. Experience in collaborations with industrial partners will be an asset . Fluent English as the working language of EMBL is required.

Application Instructions
Please apply online via Apply Online below.

Please include a cover letter, CV and a concise description of research interests future research plans.

Please also arrange for 3 letters of recommendation to be emailed to: references@embl.de at the latest by 10 June 2012.

Additional Information
Further information about EMBL can be obtained at www.embl.org and about the position from the Head of Unit, Jan Ellenberg (jan.ellenberg@embl.de) and/or from the Head of Core Facilities Services, Christian Boulin (boulin@embl.de).

Interviews are planned for 11, 12 and 13 July 2012.

EMBL is an inclusive, equal opportunity employer offering attractive conditions and benefits appropriate to an international research organisation. Information on Group and Team Leader appointments can be found under http://www.embl.org/gl_faq

An initial contract of 5 years will be offered to the successful candidate. This is foreseen to be extended to a maximum of 9 years, subject to an external review.