microscopy job opening in Boston, MA

[Jennifer Fogarty]

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Job Announcement:

The Division of Rheumatology, Immunology, and Allergy at Brigham and Women's
Hospital in Boston, MA, is seeking a technical research associate to manage
the BWH Confocal Microscopy Core.  The right candidate will be comfortable
working independently, with little guidance from the Director, and will
coordinate all Core-associated research activities including but not limited
to: supervising the activities of scientists using the facility; training
new users; participating in the design and modification of research
protocols; equipment and software maintenance and troubleshooting; and data
capture and image analysis. Microscopy work makes up 80-85% of the
position's responsibilities. This position will also have a 15-20%
responsibility towards basic maintenance and troubleshooting of two Division
flow cytometers (BD FACSCantoII).

Principal Duties:

1. Maintains equipment in good working order, troubleshoots both hardware
and software, arranges and oversees repairs and service calls.  Implements
and provides quality assurance procedures and systems. Tests and evaluates
new equipment under consideration for use in the Core.

2. Designs and maintains website, scheduling calendar. Totals hours and
calculates monies owed by clients on a monthly basis, communicates this
information to the finance manager for billing and collection.  May be asked
(by the Director) to suspend user privileges from clients whose accounts
remain unpaid for more than 3 months. Assists in preparation and monitoring
of annual budget.  

3. Trains users to properly use the system, evaluates user expertise, and
determines which users are allowed unsupervised access to the equipment.
Provides advice and input regarding experimental design and execution.
Recommends staining techniques using established biomarkers, identifies and
assesses the stage of different subcellular structures. Write and updates
protocols for equipment use and specimen preparation as needed.

4. Collaborates with other labs requiring an experienced confocal
microscopist. Oversees the collection of data and insures the integrity of
same. Plans, designs and performs statistical analyses. Provides
post-acquisition image processing for publication, to fit the specific needs
of different journals.  Prepares data and may present data at scientific
meetings, in addition to preparing articles for publication.

5.   Performs routine maintenance on two FACS Canto II flow cytometers and
performs weekly calibration. Trains new users in fluidics monitoring and
assigns usernames and passwords to new users. Troubleshoots problems with
users or with BD Biosciences and keeps Division updated on equipment issues
via email announcements.

6. All other duties as required by supervisor.

Qualifications:

B.S. or higher in biological/physical sciences with 1-3 years of directly
related and progressively more responsible experience.

Required Skills:

• High degree of computer literacy, including web design and management
(Fireworks, Dreamweaver), image analysis (Image J, Metamorph), scientific
illustration (Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator).
• A broad knowledge of scientific principles, biological structures, general
laboratory techniques, data analysis and statistics.
• Sound interpersonal skills and the ability to train, advise, and interface
with client scientists.
• Must be able to logically and effectively structure tasks, set priorities,
and multitask.
• Ability to identify potential and developing problems and to troubleshoot
solutions, often through interfacing with off-site experts and technical
service providers (e.g. Nikon, BD Biosciences).
• Microscopy skills, including brightfield, DIC, conventional
epifluorescence, and laser scanning confocal microscopy.
• Experience with mammalian tissue culture and multi-color fluorescence
immunostaining.
• Some experience with flow cytometry.

For more information about the microscopy facility, please see our website:
http://confocal.bwh.harvard.edu/

This job will be posted shortly on the BWH jobs website, in the meantime
please forward any questions or inquiries to Jennifer Fogarty at
[hidden email] or Dr. Nancy Kedersha at
[hidden email].