Facility Manager Position

[Claire Brown]

*****
To join, leave or search the confocal microscopy listserv, go to:
http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A0=confocalmicroscopy
*****

Position Announcement -- Imaging Facility Manager at McGill University



The Department of Physiology of McGill University, Montreal, Canada, is seeking an outstanding scientist to fill the position of Imaging Facility Manager.



This Imaging Facility of McGill University has technical capabilities for live cell imaging, total internal reflection fluorescence (TIRF) microscopy, fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM), multi-photon microscopy, laser micro-dissection, fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS), image processing and analysis, spectral imaging and high content screening. The Facility has developed and run more than 50 workshops and courses, in collaboration with academia and industries, including the bi-annual Montreal Light Microscopy Course (MLMC).



More information about the Imaging Facility can be found at: http://www.mcgill.ca/lifesciencescomplex/core/imaging





Responsibilities:

  *   Manage the day to day operations of the Imaging Facility, reporting to the Imaging Facility Director.

*         Consultation: Work with researchers to determine appropriate equipment and to develop experimental designs for various research questions. Including consultation on preparing information for presentations and publications and the collection of preliminary data for grant applications. Serve as a resource for investigators exploring advanced microscopy techniques in research.

*         Training: Conduct weekly consultations with new facility users. Oversee basic training by microscopy specialists. Perform advanced training of users. Develop and modify standard protocols for training sessions. Must ensure high quality training is offered by all facility staff.

*         Maintenance: Oversee regular maintenance of the facility equipment. Develop and modify maintenance protocols on an ongoing basis. Interpret quality control information and initiate repairs if necessary. Be the key liaison with instrument manufactures to ensure rapid and efficient service ensuring the maximal instrument "up-time" and the limit of costly (in terms of time and money) instrument "down-time". Document all equipment service.

*         Policies and Procedures: Ensure all facility users adhere to facility policies and procedures. Policies must be updated to keep up with changing needs and infrastructure. Ensure appropriate access to equipment for all facility users.

*         Finances: The manager is in charge of the facility budget, cost recovery system and monthly and annual reporting. This is crucial for identifying equipment that is not being used efficiently or is out-of-date and for ensuring efficient operation of the core as well as long term viability.

*         Education: The manager must create and develop educational opportunities that cover both the fundamentals of microscopy as well as emerging technologies that are relevant for facility users. This includes the development and implementation of workshops, tutorials and courses.

*         Corporate Relations: The manager must initiate and build on corporate relationships with vendors in the field. This is important in order to develop partnerships with companies, have access to appropriate technologies when purchases are being made. This also allows for testing of new state-of-the-art equipment and input into how technologies develop.

*         Advances in Technology: Must keep up on advances in technology and together with the scientific director make recommendations to the scientific advisory board



Qualifications:



*         Ph.D. in Biological Science, Physical Sciences, or another relevant discipline.

*         In depth understanding and extensive hands-on experience in advanced optical microscopy and imaging instruments, broad knowledge of imaging techniques, strong background in quantitative imaging and analysis, related to applications in life sciences.

*         Experience in configuration, calibration and troubleshooting of microscopy and imaging instruments, and implementing new imaging capabilities.

*         Highly self-motivated and independent, with excellent verbal and written communication skills.

*         Experience in microscopy core facility management, and working in a dynamic environment.

*         Strong interpersonal skills for working with facility users, principle investigators and potential new clients within the research community.

*         Ability to work with researchers on diverse projects to streamline instrumentation needs and protocols, assist with grant and manuscript writing.

*         Ability to supervise core facility personnel.

*         Must be able to manage a diverse set of obligations on a daily basis with rapidly changing demands and priorities.

*         A real leader with the ability to work as part of a team.

*         Experience preparing budgets, budget reports and delivering them to the management oversight committee.

*         Ability to manage different and evolving priorities and goals on a daily basis.

*         Ability to continually learning new technologies and protocols.

*         Ability to communicate complex ideas to people new to the field and to upper administrative levels within the institution.

*         Have a long-term vision for maintenance, growth and development of the core.

*         Ability to develop and maintain strong ties with corporations including their research and development arms. This will provide a mechanism to influence technology development and engage in research and development for advancement of technology with commercial companies.

*         A good communicator maintaining the flow of information between the management oversight committee, the scientific director, and the scientific advisory board.







Application Procedure:



Interested applicants should submit to the Search Committee (1) curriculum vitae, (2) a short description of relevant experience for this position, and (3) the names and contact information of three references. Preference will be given to Canadian residents and Canadian citizens.



Claire M Brown, Imaging Facility Director

Department of Physiology, McGill University

[hidden email]



The position will be open until filled. Only qualified applicants will be contacted.