Senior Research Engineer as Electron Microscopy Facility Manager

Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology

Umeå University is one of Sweden’s largest higher education institutions with over 37 000 students and about 4 700 employees. The University offers a diversity of high-quality education and world-leading research in several fields. And the groundbreaking discovery of the CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing tool, which was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry, was made here. At Umeå University, everything is close. Our cohesive campuses make it easy to meet, work together and exchange knowledge, which promotes a dynamic and open culture.

The ongoing societal transformation and large green investments in northern Sweden create enormous opportunities and complex challenges. For Umeå University, conducting research about – and in the middle of – a society in transition is what it is all about. But also about delivering education to enable regions to expand quickly and sustainably. This is simply where the future is built.

Umeå University is looking for a senior research engineer for image analysis of electron microscopy (EM) data. The first research engineer will work with user support and method development at Umeå Centre for Electron Microscopy (UCEM). The position is financed by SciLifeLab. The employment is for 12 months. Application deadline is May 22, 2023.

Work tasks
As a senior research engineer, you will provide researchers with expert advice in the planning and execution of electron microscopy (EM) analysis. We are a large group of senior research engineers who together maintain end develop research infrastructure. For this position, we are looking for a person to take the main responsibility for sample preparation, operation and maintenance of scanning electron microscopy SEM and image analysis. Mainly for project in the research areas of chemistry and physics, but many of the projects supported at the facility originate from medical and biology research. You will be involved in teaching shorter methodology courses in EM and image analysis at doctoral level. You will also administer user support, as well as act as a contact person for the facility’s users and collaborations between microscopy facilities in Sweden and internationally. The work is planned together with researchers and UCEM staff and is carried out independently or together with collaborators, students and researchers at other department or external entities. Our working language is English.

Qualifications
We are looking for a person with a PhD in chemistry, physics, engineering or biotechnology. You have extensive experience with EM (SEM and TEM) sample preparation, instrument operations, chemical characterization data analysis. EM imaging should have been your main method in earlier research projects. Very good computer skills with a focus on image analysis of 3D EM data is required.

You are independent and flexible and can take on new challenges, establish new methods and participate in several different projects in parallel. It is important that you have good collaborative skills and can receive and pass on expert skills, as well as that you have good communication skills, open to receive and pass on expert knowledge. You should be able to express yourself in English in speech and writing. You can take initiatives, be creative, have a service minded attitude towards the facility work, to help facility users and research groups with research projects and to achieve results.

Great emphasis is placed on technical competence, which for this employment includes operation of multi-purpose and multi detector SEM, in SEM micromanipulations with Focused Ion Beam (FIB-SEM), EM data analysis and digital visualization.

It is desirable to have an education in engineering, as well as experience of different types of EM methods, chemical and imaging analysis. Earlier work with research infrastructure, national and international collaborative projects are meritorious, as well as a service minded attitude and interest in technology development.

Condition
The employment is full-time and is limited to 12 months. Starting date as soon as possible or by agreement.

Application
The application should include a personal letter with motivation for why you are applying for the position, references to research projects using EM, CV, degree certificate including doctoral degree, other relevant certificates and grades as well as names and contact information of at least two reference persons.

The deadline for applications is May 22, 2023. You apply via our e-recruitment system.

Information
For further information, please contact UCEM coordinator Linda Sandblad, tel: +46 (0)709324936 or e-mail: linda.sandblad@umu.se