- Job Title
- Bioimaging Facility Manager
- Post Number
- 1004659
- Closing Date
- 27 May 2024
- Grade
- SC5
- Starting Salary
- £43,550 - £50,000
- Hours per week
- 37
- Project Title
- N/C
- Months Duration
- Indefinite
Job Description
Main Purpose of the Job
Applications are invited for a Facility Manager to join the Bioimaging Platform at the John Innes Centre.
The Bioimaging Platform hosts a wide range of electron and light microscopy technologies and affiliated equipment and facilities. The successful candidate will oversee the Platform, manage its personnel and resources, as well as being actively involved in the application of microscopy to research by internal and external users. They will be responsible for the management of the platform and take leadership for future development of the Bioimaging facility.
The post holder will oversee financial sustainability through facility usage recharges and funding applications. Depending on the candidate’s expertise, they will contribute to a wide variety of projects across the NRP and provide training to platform users in both formal and informal settings.
Key Relationships
The post holder will work closely with:
- The Bioimaging team.
- Microscopy users who require technical support and/or training in the post holder's area of expertise.
- Local support services, such as Research and Core computing and Facilities to maintain Bioimaging computing and building infrastructure fit for purpose.
- The Structural Biology Platform to support cryo-EM research.
- JIC group leaders, particularly members of the Bioimaging Steering Committee, to oversee horizon scanning and funding bids.
- JIC management to represent Bioimaging platform in strategy discussions
- Specialist companies for equipment maintenance
- The wider scientific community, including UK-Bioimaging and Euro-Bioimaging
Main Activities & Responsibilities
- Percentage
- Platform management tasks to include:
- Oversee activity within the platform to maintain efficient and robust operations
- Line management of platform staff.
- Provide outstanding service to platform users, with high levels of user satisfaction and scientific excellence.
- Keep abreast of new developments in the field and facilitate the adoption of new practices where appropriate.
- Oversee funding proposals for instrument acquisition and procurement.
- Manage equipment bookings, orders and charging. - 60
- Bioimaging research
- Provide specialist technical support to users in their area of expertise.
- Oversee the development and use of microscopy instrumentation and techniques by internal and external researchers. - 20
- Prepare and deliver Bioimaging training to platform users through the
following:
- Formal training courses.
- Informal tutorials/surgeries.
- Hands-on training.
- Preparation and publication of protocols and standard operating procedures - 15
- Other activities:
- Act as co-signatory for other staff as appropriate.
- Participate in outreach activities as required.
- As agreed with line manager, any other duties commensurate with the nature
of the role. - 5
Person Profile
Education & Qualifications
- Requirement
- Importance
- First degree in Biological Science or relevant subject
- Essential
- PhD in Biological Science or relevant subject
- Desirable
Specialist Knowledge & Skills
- Requirement
- Importance
- In depth knowledge of light and/or electron sample preparation methods
- Essential
- In-depth knowledge of light and/or electron microscopy techniques
- Essential
- Knowledge of image analysis techniques
- Essential
Relevant Experience
- Requirement
- Importance
- Extensive expertise in light and/or electron microscopy techniques and associated sample preparation methods
- Essential
- Ability to manage budget and secure funding
- Desirable
- Experience in staff supervision
- Desirable
- Experience in managing a facility
- Desirable
Interpersonal & Communication Skills
- Requirement
- Importance
- Ability to deliver formal training courses
- Essential
- Ability to initiate and nurture close relationships with users, group leaders and external contacts
- Essential
- Self-motivated with the ability to work independently and as part of a team
- Essential
- Ability to interpret and convey complex information
- Essential
- Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal
- Essential
- Excellent organisational and time management skills
- Essential
Additional Requirements
- Requirement
- Importance
- Attention to detail
- Essential
- Willingness to embrace the expected values and behaviours of all staff at the Institute, ensuring it is a great place to work
- Essential
- Ability to maintain confidentiality and security of information where appropriate
- Essential
- Willingness to work outside standard working hours when required
- Essential
- Promotes equality and values diversity
- Essential
- Able to present a positive image of self and the Institute, promoting both the international reputation and public engagement aims of the Institute
- Essential
- Willingness to undertake occasional travel (national and international) to attend workshops/ conferences
- Essential
Who We Are
John Innes Centre
The John Innes Centre is an independent, international centre of excellence in plant and microbial genetics, carrying out fundamental and strategic research, to train scientists and making our findings available to society.
Our research makes use of a wide range of disciplines in the biological and chemical sciences including; cell biology, biochemistry, chemistry, genetics and molecular biology.
For more information about working at the John Innes Centre, please click here.
We pride ourselves on being a welcoming and inclusive working environment for all. We have a diverse and multicultural scientific community and thrive on our European and international links, appointing staff from across the world. Any candidate who would like further information on current or anticipated immigration requirements can contact the HR Team on +44 (0)1603 450888 or nbi.recruitment@nbi.ac.uk.
We are proud to hold a prestigious Athena SWAN Gold award, recognising the impact of our work in promoting gender equality in science. We are also a proud member of the Stonewall Diversity Champion’s programme, a founding signatory of the Tecnician Commitment and, as a Disability Confident employer, guarantee to offer an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the post.
The John Innes Centre is a registered charity (No. 223852), limited by guarantee (registered in England No. 511709).
Department
Cell & Developmental Biology
Group Details
The Bioimaging Platform is crucial to JIC science, forming an integral component of current and future research plans and the HP3 vision for next-generation infrastructure and development of JIC as a hub for plant and microbial science (website for HP3 necessary).
The platform hosts over 20 state-of-the-art microscopes and affiliated equipment and facilitates a wide range of sample preparation and imaging techniques including resin embedding, ultramicrotomy, immunolabelling, plunge freezing, high-pressure freezing, confocal microscopy, super-resolution techniques, FLIM, FRET, FRAP, FCS, cryo-SEM, cryo-TEM, electron tomography, micro-ED, negative staining, single particle analysis, SBF-SEM and array tomography.
The platform currently operates with a full-time manager and five full-time microscopy support scientists.
Living in Norfolk
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Bioimaging Facility Manager
Salary: £43,550 – £50,000 per annum depending on qualifications and experience.
Contract: Full-time, on an indefinite basis
Location: John Innes Centre, Norwich, UK.
Closing date: 27 May 2024
Reference: 1004659
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Facility Manager to join the Bioimaging Platform at the John Innes Centre.
About the John Innes Centre:
The John Innes Centre is an independent, international centre of excellence in plant and microbial sciences. We nurture a creative, curiosity-led approach to answering fundamental questions in bioscience, and translate that knowledge into societal benefits. Our strategic vision, Healthy Plants, Healthy People, Healthy Planet, sets out our ambitious long-term goals for the game changing impact of our science globally.
Our employees enjoy access to state-of-the-art technology and a diverse range of specialist training opportunities, including support for leadership and management. Click here to find out more about working at the John Innes Centre.
About the Bioimaging Platform:
The Bioimaging Platform is crucial to the delivery of JIC science objectives, forming an integral component of forward research plans and contributing to the HP3 vision.
The facility underpins a wide variety of research programmes across the Norwich Research Park and to external users, providing services and expertise in light and electron microscopy technologies and affiliated equipment. The Bioimaging Platform supports a wide range of sample preparation and imaging techniques including resin embedding, ultramicrotomy, immunolabelling, plunge freezing, high-pressure freezing, confocal microscopy, super-resolution techniques, FLIM, FRET, FRAP, FCS, cryo-SEM, cryo-TEM, electron tomography, micro-ED, negative staining, single particle analysis, SBF-SEM and array tomography.
The role:
The successful candidate will oversee the Platform, manage its personnel and resources, as well as being actively involved in the development and use of microscopy instrumentation and techniques by internal and external researchers. They will contribute to a wide variety of projects, with engagement ranging from simply offering advice through to becoming a major participant. The post holder will be expected to provide training to platform users in both formal and informal settings. They will be responsible for the management and future development of the Bioimaging facility in consultation with key stakeholders. The post holder will also manage the facility budget and ensure financial sustainability through facility usage recharges and funding applications.
The ideal candidate:
The ideal candidate will have a first degree in Biological Science or a related subject, with in-depth knowledge of light and/or electron microscopy techniques and associated sample preparation methods. The successful candidate will ideally have a demonstrated ability to provide specialist technical support to users in their area of expertise.
The ideal candidate will have excellent organisational skills. Experience in managing facilities, staff and budgets would be advantageous. Likewise, demonstrated experience in securing funding to maintain and develop the facility (e.g. for the purchase of new equipment) is desirable.
The ideal candidate must possess good oral and written communication skills, and have a demonstrated ability to prioritise their workload in the face of competing demands and deliver work to tight deadlines. They must be able to work closely with researchers across diverse biological fields and be able to understand their needs and translate these into solutions. The flexibility to work occasional unsociable hours and to travel nationally are also desirable.
Additional information:
This role meets the criteria for a visa application, and we encourage all qualified candidates to apply. Please contact the Human Resources Team if you have any questions regarding your application or visa options.
We are an equal opportunities employer, actively supporting inclusivity and diversity. As a Disability Confident organisation, we guarantee to offer an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for this vacancy. We are proud to hold a prestigious Gold Athena SWAN award in recognition of our inclusive culture, commitment and good practices towards advancing of gender equality. We offer an exciting, stimulating, diverse research environment and actively promote a family friendly workplace. The Institute is also a member of Stonewall’s Diversity Champions programme.
The John Innes Centre is a registered charity (No. 223852) grant-aided by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council.