Part-time Technical Support Specialist

Brandeis University is looking for a Part-time Technical Support Specialist. The main purpose of this half-time (0.5 FTE) job is to expand what the Brandeis Light Microscopy Core Facility can do for its users. The main focus is assisted-use imaging : running experiments on behalf of external academic and industry users, and on behalf of Brandeis researchers. Working under the direction of the facility manager, the employee will run instruments, train and support users at basic to intermediate levels, and do routine maintenance and quality control. The facility’s instruments include widefield, confocal, spinning disk, 2-photon, STED super-resolution and light-sheet microscopes. The employee will help with day-to-day facility operations, including booking accounts, training requests, usage records, and operational spreadsheets and reports. The employee will also join workshops, outreach and professional development activities, so that the facility stays rigorous, reproducible and responsive to a growing academic and industry user base.

Job Description

- Performs assisted-use imaging for external academic and industry users and for Brandeis researchers, under the direction of the facility manager. This includes sample handling, image acquisition on the facility’s microscopes, first-pass image processing, and organized, documented data delivery. Gives users timely, high-quality results so that they keep coming back. Keeps records of the work done for each project - 35%

- Gives consultation, basic to intermediate training, and technical support to facility users across a range of light-microscopy techniques. Demonstrates standard operating procedures (SOPs) following facility guidelines. Helps users with image acquisition and introductory image processing and analysis workflows (e.g., ImageJ/Fiji) - 25%

- Performs routine maintenance, quality-control checks and performance assessments on facility instruments, including widefield, confocal, spinning disk, 2-photon, STED super-resolution and light-sheet systems. Troubleshoots equipment problems and works with instrument manufacturers and their service engineers on support and repairs, escalating to the facility manager as needed. Helps maintain SOPs that ensure data quality, rigor and reproducibility. May supervise student workers doing routine maintenance and facility tasks: assigns and checks their work, and trains them on procedures - 20%

- Helps with day-to-day facility operations: managing user booking accounts, processing training requests, keeping usage and training records, and maintaining the facility’s operational spreadsheets and periodic reports. Helps ensure that staff and users follow laboratory health, safety and risk-assessment protocols - 15%

- Takes part in internal and external professional development, technical workshops and imaging-network events. Supports outreach, facility tours and workshops for academic and industry users, and cross-trains with the facility manage- 5%

This is a part-time position working 17.5 hours a week. The salary range for the position is $32k-$40k (for half-time).

Job Requirements:

- Bachelor's degree in STEM research field is required. Master's degree is preferred.
- solid theoretical and practical knowledge of light microscopy, including widefield and confocal imaging is required.
- Experience with at least one advanced modality (e.g., super-resolution, light-sheet or 2-photon) is preferred.
- Should be familiar with biological sample preparation, image-acquisition strategies and image analysis software (e.g., ImageJ/Fiji).
- Strong communication, teaching and interpersonal skills with a service-oriented mindset.
- Strong problem-solving and organizational skills, attention to research ethics and data integrity,
- Ability to support many concurrent projects for a diverse academic and industry user base.

Pay Range Disclosure

The University's pay ranges represent a good faith estimate of what Brandeis reasonably expects to pay for a position at the time of posting. The pay offered to a selected candidate during hiring will be based on factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate's work experience and education/training, internal peer equity, and applicable legal requirements.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Brandeis University is an equal opportunity employer which does not discriminate against any applicant or employee on the basis of race, color, ancestry, religious creed, gender identity and expression, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, age, genetic information, disability, caste, military or veteran status or any other category protected by law (also known as membership in a "protected class").