Research Associate (Cryo-EM Specialist)
Position Description:
We invite applications for a Research Associate (Cryo-EM specialist) position, jointly shared by Harvard Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) and Harvard Medical School. This Research Associate position will be hosted at Harvard Medical School with responsibilities split between the two campuses. This annually appointed academic role advances discovery in structural biology by providing support and training for researchers seeking to learn cryo-EM, serving as an interface between the instruments and a vibrant scientific community.
Responsibilities to FAS will take place in the newly established Cryo-EM imaging core under the Harvard Center for Biological Imaging (HCBI). This is the first cryogenic imaging facility dedicated to biological samples on Harvard's Cambridge campus. This facility houses sample preparation devices (Vitrobot Mark IV, Wohlwend High Pressure Freezer, Leica EM AFS2 Freeze Substitution), and a Glacios 2 cryo-electron microscope with X-FEG, fringe-free imaging, Selectris energy filter and Falcon4i direct electron detector.
Responsibilities to Harvard Medical School will take place at the Harvard Cryo-EM Center for Structural Biology (HCCSB): a joint effort by Harvard Medical School, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston Children's Hospital, Massachusetts General Bringham, and Harvard FAS to provide state-of-the-art cryo-EM instrumentation and expertise for the structural biology community. This Facility houses two Titan Krios 300 kV microscopes and a Talos Arctica 200 kV microscope, with a next-generation Titan Krios 5 scheduled for installation in 2026. We also house two Vitrobot Mark IVs for sample preparation and two Aquilos 2 Cryo-FIBs to produce lamellae for cryo-ET.
The successful candidate, working closely with fellow imaging scientists at the HCBI and the HCCSB at Harvard Medical School will enhance and expand cryo-EM capabilities across Harvard, and the greater Boston scientific ecosystem.
Key Responsibilities
Microscope Operation and Training
- Serve as a technical interface between users and the Talos Arctica, Glacios 2 and Titan Krios microscopes by loading samples and checking microscope alignments.
- Independently perform scheduling and training of users to operate TEM microscopes, specifically, Talos Arctica, Glacios 2 and Titan Krios; including sample preparation (negative stain and cryo-plunging), grid loading, sample screening, and data collection.
Research Advisement and Collaboration
- Independently advise researchers on experimental strategy.
- When appropriate, collaborate to assist in data acquisition, analysis, and structure determination.
Facility Management
- Coordinate with HCBI and HCCSB staff in purchasing, receiving, tracking, and stocking consumables and supplies.
- Arrange for equipment repair, maintenance and certification for the Cryo-EM imaging core and Harvard Cryo-EM Center for Structural Biology, interfacing with vendors or Facilities as needed.
- Collaborate with staff and scientists in the benchmarking and maintenance of microscopes and ancillary equipment.
Fee for Service Work
- Perform staff-assisted screening to accelerate discovery.
- Data collection setup for Industrial users as needed.
Community, Education & Standards
- Contribute to the educational mission of the HCBI and HCCSB through lectures and workshops.
- Regularly engage with facility users to promote scientific progress and promote skill mastery.
- Contribute to continuous development of best practices and procedures.
With this appointment, you are represented by the Harvard Academic Workers (HAW) – UAW for purposes of collective bargaining and matters affecting your compensation and working conditions.
This is a position that is based at both the Boston and Cambridge Harvard campus locations. Certain visa types and funding sources may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.
Basic Qualifications:
- Ph.D. in structural biology, biochemistry, biophysics or related fields, with focus on the topic of structural biology
- 2 or more years of hands-on experience in Cryo-EM or Cryo-ET workflows and analysis.
Additional Qualifications:
Preferred Qualifications
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey complex concepts with clarity and precision in a fast-paced, dynamic environment (e.g. demonstrated through scientific publications).
- Experience performing single-particle cryo-EM sample prep and vitrification.
- Experience operating cryo-EM microscopes with Autoloader systems (i.e. Glacios, Talos Arctica or Titan Krios).
- Experience with Cryo-EM data processing.
- Experience with biochemical optimization for cryo-EM projects.
- Experience with molecular model building into cryo-EM Maps.
- Must be detail-oriented and able to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
- A passion for scientific discovery.
- Excellent interpersonal skills with a service mindset.
Additional Qualifications
Please indicate in your cover letter if you have any of these additional skills:
- Experience with high-pressure freezing
- Experience with freeze substitution
- Experience with cryo-ET sample prep (including FIB), imaging and data processing
- Experience with Micro-ED
- Experience with light microscopy
Contact Information:
Stephen Harrison/Richard Walsh
Seeley G. Mudd 130
250 Longwood Ave. Boston, MA 02115
Salary Range:
$80,000-$105,000, commensurate with experience
