Core Research Specialist - Microscopy

The Waitt Advanced Biophotonics Core facility stands at the forefront of imaging and data analysis technologies, providing the Salk research community with access to state-of-the-art microscopy resources. The Core Research Specialist - Microscopy will have expertise in both light (LM) and electron microscopy (EM), including image analysis and sample preparation. The Core Research Specialist - Microscopy will support research efforts by performing LM and EM imaging, preparing samples, implementing image analysis, and training users on advanced instrumentation and software. In this role, the Core Research Specialist - Microscopy will have an excellent opportunity to work at the cutting edge of imaging technologies, supporting innovative biomedical research at the Salk Institute. The environment for this position is collaborative, interdisciplinary, and focused to shape advanced imaging workflows that drive discovery.

Who We Are

The Salk Institute is an internationally renowned research institution that values all members of our scientific community. We seek bold and interactive leaders passionate about exploring new frontiers in science. Our collaborative community embraces perspectives across discipline, professional acumen, and unique life experiences, fostering innovation, and a sense of belonging. Together, we strive to improve the wellbeing of humanity through groundbreaking research.

Founded by Jonas Salk, developer of the first safe and effective polio vaccine, the Institute is an independent, nonprofit research organization and architectural landmark: small by choice, intimate by nature, and fearless in the face of any challenge. Salk's vibrant community has many talented individuals from varied backgrounds, each playing a crucial role in driving our mission forward. From visionary leaders to dedicated administrators and brilliant faculty members, the Institute is united by a shared passion for scientific exploration and innovation.

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

• Provide advanced microscopy applications expertise, including LM and EM techniques.
• Operate and maintain a range of LM and EM equipment, ensuring optimal performance and safety standards.
• Troubleshoot and resolve technical issues; perform routine instrument maintenance.
• Implement workflows for volumetric electron microscopy and correlative LM/EM.
• Maintain detailed records of experiments, imaging sessions, and equipment usage.
• Safely prepare samples for LM and EM using staining, embedding, and chemical fixation techniques. This includes working with hazardous chemicals including osmium tetroxide, lead salts, uranyl acetate, strong solvents, acids, and bases, and plastic resins.
• Work in coordination with Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S) to follow and enforce safety protocols.
• Safely and proficiently section samples using cryostats, microtomes (rotary, vibratome), and ultramicrotome (thin and semi-thick sections) for collection on TEM grids or other supports as well as serial sectioning for volumetric reconstructions.
• Acquire high-quality imaging data using LM, transmission EM and scanning EM.
• Manage digital documentation workflows and assist users with preparing data for presentation & publication.
• Guide and support users applying image analysis tools (open source and commercial).
• Apply advanced computational methods, including machine learning approaches, to extract quantitative data.
• Collaborate with the Core Director to guide and assist Salk researchers in the design of imaging experiments and adoption of protocols tailored to specific project needs.
• Participate in discussion and weekly introductory group and individual user's meetings held at the Core.
• Guide and assist Salk researchers in the use of specialized equipment for sample preparation and image acquisition and analysis software.
• Provide image analysis training and solutions as a service to the Salk community.
• Participate in outreach and education efforts involving imaging and microscopy training (e.g. mentorship programs, workshops, etc.).
• Performs related duties as assigned.

What we Require

• Master's Degree (MA) in a relevant field (e.g. Biology, Chemistry, Materials Science, Physics), or four to ten years of related experience and/or training, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Preferred:

• Expertise in use of light microscopy (fluorescence, confocal, super-resolution, automated slide scanning) and both transmission and scanning electron microscopy.
• Proficiency in sample preparation for both LM and EM.
• Experience with image acquisition, processing and quantitative analysis.
• Experience with research design and participation, data collection and presentation.
• Ability to troubleshoot, proactively and independently implement new methodologies, and adapt techniques to meet experimental needs.
• Understand the theory and practice of various fixation methods and immunolabeling techniques for LM and EM.
• Ability to contribute to experimental design and assist with the analysis and interpretation of results.

What We Can Offer

The expected pay range for this position is $75,000 to $90,000 annually. Salk Institute provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of what the institute reasonably expects to pay for a position. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal equity, geographic location, and external market pay for comparable jobs.

Benefits

Salk Institute offers competitive benefits, including medical, dental, vision, retirement, paid time off, tuition reimbursement, patient advocacy services, and transit/parking program.

Salk Values

The Salk Community, both scientists and administrators, worked together to define values that we believe support Salk's pursuit of excellence. To be truly the best scientific institution requires not only incredible discoveries, but a common understanding of how we should work together to enable those discoveries.

The acronym "I CARE" provides a simple way to remember each of the values and reminds each of us of the importance of what we do each day.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

The Salk Institute for Biological Studies is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to providing equal access to opportunities for students, employees, applicants for employment and other visitors. Salk has also adopted and maintains a policy to encourage professional and respectful workplace behavior and prevent discriminatory and harassing conduct in our workplace.

Accordingly, the Institute prohibits harassment and discrimination in employment on the basis of, and considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to, actual or perceived race (race is inclusive of traits associated with race, including, but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles. Protective hairstyles include, but not limited to, such hairstyles as braids, and twists), color, religion, religious creed (including religious dress and grooming practices), national origin, ancestry, citizenship, physical or mental disability, medical condition (including cancer and genetic characteristics), genetic information, marital status, age, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), reproductive health decision making, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, veteran and/or military status (disabled veteran, veteran of the Vietnam era, other covered veteran status), political affiliation, and any other status protected by state or federal law.

Discrimination is prohibited with any intersectionality of the above-mentioned characteristics, including:

1. Any combination of characteristics.
2. A perception that the person has any of the characteristics or any combination of those characteristics.
3. A perception that the person is associated with a person who has, or is perceived to have, any of those characteristics or any combination of those characteristics.