Microscopy Core Manager

JOB DESCRIPTION AND POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

A full-time Microscopy Imaging Scientist / Research Technologist position is available in the Advanced Light Microscopy Core (ALM) at Penn State College of Medicine in Hershey, PA. ALM supports researchers by providing consultations, trainings, and assisted sessions on advanced microscopes and image processing/analysis. Current microscopes include a DeltaVision Elite (widefield), a Leica SP8 STED 3X (confocal/STED), a Leica SP8 FALCON (confocal with FLIM/FCS), and a Miltenyi Biotec UltraMicroscope II (light-sheet for cleared samples). A Nikon CSU-W1 SoRa super-res spinning disk confocal microscope will be purchased soon. Commercial image visualization/analysis/processing software–Imaris and SVI Huygens–are located on ALM workstations.
Responsibilities:
– Manages ALM and leads other ALM staff to support and advance research
– Trains and assists researchers with the execution of advanced imaging experiments (experimental design, how to acquire quantifiable data, image analysis)
– Ensures microscopes/workstations are in excellent working order
– Supports users with troubleshooting
– Interacts with vendors for troubleshooting, service contracts, scheduling visits, etc.
– Responds to researcher inquiries in a timely fashion during working hours
– Organizes teaching and educational events
– Uses iLab for administrative tasks such as scheduling and billing
– Works with faculty members to secure funding for additional instrumentation
– Other related functions as assigned

Minimum Education & Experience:

Bachelor’s Degree
6+ years of relevant experience
Or an equivalent combination of education and experience

Preferred qualifications:

• PhD in a related field
• Experience with other microscopy modalities (spinning disk, STED, light-sheet)
• Experience with fluorescence lifetime imaging or fluorescence correlation spectroscopy
• Experience with bioimage analysis/processing using ImageJ/Fiji and Python
• Experience in developing and/or implementing research methods
• 2+ years of experience working in a core facility / shared resource environment
• Understanding of optics, light microscopy, and digital images
• Extensive hands-on experience with laser scanning confocal microscopy
• Knowledge of fluorescence microscopy sample preparation methods
• Experience with training others on microscopes and/or bioimage analysis
• Knowledge of best practices for digital image processing
• Proactive, well-organized, and able to work independently and in a team
• Strong oral and written communication skills in English
• Soft skills to work in a customer-facing role

This is a limited-term position funded for one year from date of hire, with possibility of refunding. 
The following clearances must be successfully completed for this position:  
– Pennsylvania State Police Criminal Background Check  
– Pennsylvania Child Abuse History
– Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Criminal Background Check   
 
The Pennsylvania State University is committed to and accountable for advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in all of its forms. We embrace individual uniqueness, foster a culture of inclusive excellence that supports both broad and specific diversity initiatives, leverage the educational and institutional benefits of diversity, and engage all individuals to help them thrive. We value inclusive excellence as a core strength and an essential element of our public service mission.  
The salary range for this position, including all possible grades is:
$51,000.00 – $74,000.00