AddressBased onsite at Diamond Light Source
About Us
Diamond Light Source is the UK’s national synchrotron science facility. By accelerating electrons to near light-speed, Diamond generates brilliant beams of light from infra-red to X-rays which are used for academic and industry research and development across a range of scientific disciplines including structural biology, physics, chemistry, materials science, engineering, earth, and environmental sciences.
eBIC for Industry is an established facility, with a strong track-record in offering cryo-EM services to the global pharmaceutical and biotech industries. Operating out of the national cryo-EM facility at Diamond Light Source, we not only provide access to state-of-the-art microscopes and world-class experience, but also leverage the support services of the synchrotron environment to offer a uniquely professional service. We are now looking to expand the team to meet the increasing demand from companies wishing to apply cryo-EM methods to their challenging structural research questions in areas ranging from drug discovery to biomedicine.
About the Role
We now have an opportunity for a Research Technician to support our team of enthusiastic scientists in their mission of democratising cryo-EM and providing novel insights into a range of industrial projects with direct importance to human health. We work with a range of clients; from those first evaluating cryo-EM capabilities to those routinely applying the technique in their drug discovery pipelines and have bespoke service offerings to match. Dedicated preparation facilities, Glacios screening & Krios data collection microscopes, and compute clusters are used daily by both our team and our clients to drive their projects towards the atomic resolution insights they seek.
Under the supervision of the EM scientists, the post-holder will help ensure the smooth running of the user programme and facility by liaising with clients, preparing microscopes for sessions, and un/loading of samples daily, in addition to helping with logistics and general lab maintenance.
In this position, you can expect to gain invaluable experience in all aspects of the applied cryo-EM workflow in addition to learning technical approaches to troubleshooting complex scientific instrumentation and gaining exposure to the operational aspects of a national facility. Depending on the candidate, there is also the possibility of contributing to beamline capacity development and in-house research.
Duties / Responsibilities:
- Support the industrial cryo-EM platform in the following areas:
- Liaise with and support clients on remote sessions with sample loading, reorganisation, and storage.
- Prepare and setup microscopes according to standard operating protocols for routine remote sessions.
- Induct and supervise visiting users in the EM preparation labs.
- Undertake troubleshooting of microscope sessions, escalate issue to beamline scientists, and participate in system recoveries.
- Contribute to health and safety, user, and operations SOP guides and documentation.
- Freeze client samples according to optimised protocols from EM scientists and prepare standard test samples for beamline performance benchmarking and in-house demonstration projects.
About You
You will hold a BSc in biochemistry/biology or equivalent vocational qualification or expereince, with an interest in structural biology and microscopy.
In addition to having molecular biology lab experience, some exposure to complex lab equipment and instrumentation is ideal, however, training will be provided where necessary. Excellent communication skills and a team-first attitude, along with multitasking skills will be a strong advantage in this position.
Benefits
Diamond offers an exceptional benefits package to support staff in achieving a positive work/life balance. This includes 26 days annual leave plus Christmas closure, public holidays, 2 annual volunteering days and flexible working hours. We also offer an excellent defined benefit pension scheme. Staff also have access to a range of amenities on site including a nursery, cafes, a restaurant and sports and leisure facilities. A relocation allowance may also be available where applicable.
To Apply
Please use the online application process to apply and tell us why you believe you are suitable for this role.
The initial closing date for applications is 7th April 2024, however applications will be reviewed and interviewed on an ongoing basis until this vacancy is filled.
Other information
- Further company benefits
- Life at Diamond
- Nuvos Pension Scheme
Diamond is open to different ways of working and we are committed to supporting our employees to have more flexibility and autonomy over where, when and how long they work.
Where relevant, and possible for the role, we will consider flexible working arrangements, secondment and job share opportunities.
Diamond attract talented individuals from around the world and currently employ 44 different nationalities. Reflecting trends in our sector we employ more men than women (77% men and 23% women as at March 2021). Therefore, we particularly welcome applications from suitably qualified women.
If you are disabled and would like to be considered under the Disability Confident Scheme, please let us know via the online application process.
Diamond are members of Working Families (the UK’s work-life balance organisation), we have also achieved the Athena SWAN Bronze award and Disability Confident Level Two.
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Salary: £29,778.00-£31,679.00 per year
Work Location: In person
