Cryo-FIB Application Scientist Full-time

Cryo-Electron Microscopy Scientist

When you are a part of the team at Thermo Fisher Scientific, you'll do meaningful work that makes a positive impact on a global scale! Join more than 120,000 colleagues who bring our Mission to life every single day to enable our customers to make the world healthier, cleaner, and safer. You'll find the resources here to achieve your career goals and help take science a step beyond by developing solutions for some of the world's toughest challenges. This includes protecting the environment, making sure our food is safe, and helping find cures for diseases.

At Thermo Fisher Scientific, diversity & inclusion is vital to the future success of our organization. It is not just something we do, it is who we are. It enables our colleagues to openly share the wide range of perspectives they represent, creating an environment where differences are truly valued, authenticity is a state-of-being, and everyone feels they belong and can do their best work.

You will be a part of the Applications Development team within the Life Sciences Business Unit (LSBU) of Thermo Fisher Scientific's Material and Structure Analysis Division (MSD). The LSBU provides high-value Electron Microscopy workflow solutions for high resolution biological imaging, ranging from atomic resolution imaging of protein complexes to volume acquisition of cellular compartment structures.

The position is embedded in the Center of Excellence for Structural Cell Biology at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. The Scientist will operate from this location.

You will be responsible for development of pioneering methods and protocols for cryoFIB milling with plasma FIB (pFIB) within the electron Cryo-Electron Tomography (Cryo-ET) and Volume EM workflows, using our groundbreaking Arctis and Hydra Bio cryo-plasma-FIBs. You will coordinate applications development for our cryo-FIB projects with our collaborators in a world-class cryo-imaging lab. Your role will involve cryoFIB milling to prepare cellular lamella and optimizing methods for sample preparation, with the ultimate goal of performing cryo-Electron Tomography on our Krios cryo-Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) instruments. Additionally, you will develop methods and workflows for volume imaging of high pressure frozen cellular and tissue samples using cryo Auto Slice & View and related technologies on the pFIB dual beam systems. You will build a network within the scientific community through collaborations with new and leading customers and help shape the future of cryoEM.

Develop and evaluate FIB milling and volume imaging strategies with plasma FIB on cells and tissues. Work with collaborators for training users (on site and remotely) and develop and implement proof of concept experiments with challenging samples. Your contributions will support directly the customer's scientific endeavor as well as feed directly into new product development at Thermo Fisher.

Support R&D, product development, marketing, and sales by lending applications expertise.

Communicate new applications results at scientific workshops, conferences and contribute to scientific publications.

Serve as an expert for cryoEM sample preparation with plasma FIB instruments.

Provide feedback to engineering and software development teams on system performance, new design features, new hardware qualification and advanced use-case problems for milling and cryoET data collection.

Provide marketing and sales materials to the Product Marketing team for integration into training programs.

Make significant contribution to defining the framework and future direction of cryoTEM products.

This position is ideal for an expert in focused ion beam (FIB) electron microscopy, ideally with a familiarity in both cryo-FIB milling and TEM sample preparation. Strong technical understanding of FIB theory and technology as well as experience with Plasma FIB instrumentation is a crucial requirement. A background or experience with biological questions and samples is desirable but not a requirement for the role.

An advanced degree (e.g. PhD, MSc) in the fields of Physics, Biophysics, and related or equivalent fields.

Demonstrated in-depth experience in TEM sample preparation with plasma FIB milling as well as a deep understanding of FIB technology. Knowledge of soft matter samples, with cryogenic conditions and biological specimen is a plus.

Having prior experience with TEM instruments is advantageous.

Experience in interacting with new users as well as highly technical customers and the ability to communicate complex technical concepts to a variety of audiences.

Demonstrated ability to systematically develop new and improve methods, protocols, troubleshooting techniques, and operational optimization.

Excellent verbal and written communication skills with a diverse audience.

Ability to independently identify, define, and implement solutions and to own and lead projects.

Ability to impart application specific knowledge to new users and internal partners.

Thrives in a dynamic team and enjoys being exposed to a constant variety of complex issues that need to be resolved.

Willing and able to travel domestically and occasionally internationally up to 25%.

We offer competitive remuneration, annual incentive plan bonus scheme, healthcare, company pension, and a range of employee benefits.

Thermo Fisher Scientific offers employment with an innovative, forward-thinking organization, and outstanding career and development prospects. We offer an exciting company culture that stands for integrity, intensity, involvement, and innovation.