Montana State University

Announcement Number STAFF - VA - 25395

For questions regarding this position, please contact:

Martin Lawrence

(406) 994-5382

lawrence@montana.edu

Classification Title Research Professional

Working Title Manager, Cryo-EM Core Facility

Brief Position Overview

The Cryo-EM Core Facility is seeking a manager to oversee daily operations of MSU’s world class Cryo-EM facility. The facility currently houses a 200 kV Talos Arctica cryo-TEM equipped with a Gatan K3 direct electron detector, 2 cryo-capable 120 kV microscopes (Tecnai Spirit, Leo912), a Vitrobot Mark IV and significant computational resources.

Position Number 4C1973

Department Research Core Facilities

Division Office of Research and Economic Development

Appointment Type Professional

Contract Term Fiscal Year

Semester

If other, specify From date

If other, specify End date

FLSA Exempt

Union Affiliation Exempt from Collective Bargaining

FTE 1.0

Benefits Eligible Eligible

Salary Salary range of $90,000 to $120,000 annually, commensurate with experience, education, and qualifications.

Contract Type LOA

If other, please specify

Recruitment Type Open

General Statement

We are looking for a qualified manager to oversee the daily operations of MSU’s Cryo-EM Core Facility on the MSU-Bozeman campus. This individual will assist cryo-TEM users (students, post-docs, researchers) with negative stain and cryogenic sample preparation, as well as data collection on the 120 kV and 200 kV microscopes and subsequent data processing through the cryo-EM workflow. They will also have the opportunity to help design and contribute to research projects, and to collaborate with colleagues at MSU, assisting in the design of research projects and subsequent publications. In addition, the person in this position will be responsible for supervising and training facility users and staff, managing operating costs, ensuring a balanced budget and maintaining and troubleshooting equipment.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Manager for the Cryo-EM Core Facility will manage all day-to-day facility operations. Duties will include, but are not limited to the following:

• Maintenance of all microscopes and peripheral equipment, keeping them in good working order, and working with outside vendors when repairs are needed.
• Training new users in the principles and practice of cryo-EM data collection and analysis.
• Collect or assist others to collect cryo-EM data for high resolution single particle analysis and cryogenic electron tomography and micro-electron diffraction.
• Collect or assist others to collect negative stain TEM data on a) purified macromolecules, b) organelles, c) resin-embedded, sectioned biological samples.
• Maintain the facility’s usage calendar and assist users with scheduling instruments.
• Manage the facilities’ computational infrastructure (Linux/Windows).
• Stay current in relevant research methodologies, pursue training and professional development opportunities as needed.
• Assist the core Director with strategic planning for core’s future needs, including staffing and capital upgrades.
• Order and maintain all necessary supplies needed for daily operation of the facility.
• Supervise and assist with hiring of other core employees, including assistant manager, student employees, graduate students, and other staff as needed.
• Maintain the facility’s operating budget, implementing user fees which comply with federal regulations and reasonably support a balanced budget.
• With assistance from the core facility program manager, ensure timely invoicing and billing of core users.

Required Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

1. PhD in the physical or life sciences, or Master’s degree or equivalent with 4+ years experience.
2. Demonstrated experience with the cryo-EM workflow, from sample prep to model building and refinement.
3. Demonstrated experience in operating and maintaining transmission electron microscopes
4. Demonstrated experience with Linux and Windows IT administration

Preferred Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

1. Experience managing or working in a research core facility
2. Experience preparing resin-embedded biological samples and sectioning
3. Experience with focused ion-beam milling and correlative light and electron microscopy at national facilities
4. Experience with fluorescence light microscopy
5. Prior STEM teaching experience
6. Experience in entrepreneurial, business, marketing, and/or customer service environments

The Successful Candidate Will

• Have excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Have strong problem solving skills.
• Work effectively with a broad range of constituents including students, faculty, and staff across multiple disciplines.

Position Special Requirements/Additional Information

This job description should not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements, but a general description of the job. Nothing contained herein restricts Montana State University’s rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

Physical Demands

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodations. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

This position has supervisory duties? Yes

Number of Vacancies 1

Desired Start Date Upon completion of a successful search.

Position End Date (if temporary)

Open Date

Close Date

Applications will be:

Screening of applications will begin on July 7th, 2025; however, applications will continue to be accepted until an adequate applicant pool has been established.

Special Instructions

EEO Statement

Montana State University is an equal opportunity employer. MSU does not discriminate against any applicant on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, political ideas, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, national origin, physical or mental disability, or any other protected class status in violation of any applicable law.

In compliance with the Montana Veteran’s Employment Preference Act, MSU provides preference in employment to veterans, disabled veterans, and certain eligible relatives of veterans. To claim veteran’s preference, please complete the veteran’s preference information located in the Demographics section of your profile.

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