Cryo-EM Core Facility Specialist

Overview

Open Date 09/18/2025

Requisition Number PRN
43131B

Job Title Research Associate

Working Title Cryo-EM Core Facility Specialist

Career Progression Track A00

Track Level

FLSA Code Professional

Patient Sensitive Job Code? No

Standard Hours per Week 40

Full Time or Part Time? Full Time

Shift Day

Work Schedule Summary

VP Area U of U Health - Academics

Department 00943 - HSC Core Resrch Facility Oper

Location Campus

City Salt Lake City, UT

Type of Recruitment External Posting

Pay Rate Range 75,000 to 95,000

Close Date 09/18/2026

Priority Review Date (Note - Posting may close at any time)

We are seeking a highly motivated and detail-oriented individual to help operate and support our cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) core facility. The facility houses a Thermo Fisher Titan Krios, a Thermo Fisher Aquilos cryo- FIB , two JEOL JEM
1400-Plus, with a Thermo Fisher Glacios microscope scheduled to arrive shortly. The successful candidate will be responsible for assisting researchers in the preparation of cryo-EM specimens and in the collection and processing of cryo-EM data, as well as maintaining these microscopes and associated equipment to ensure optimal performance. The candidate will also assist with experiments involving negatively stained specimens. The candidate will likely have opportunities to participate in technical developments, other techniques, and in research projects resulting in publication in scientific journals.

Key Responsibilities

• Operate, monitor, and maintain cryo-EM instruments, including the Titan Krios, Aquilos cryo-FIB, 1400, and Glacios (upon installation).
• Support users in cryo-EM workflows, including grid screening, high-resolution data collection, tomography, and related imaging tasks.
• Support users in projects where only negatively stained specimens may be imaged and the images analyzed.
• Assist with training and onboarding new users on cryo-EM equipment and software.
• Perform routine instrument checks, coordinate service calls, and ensure minimal downtime.
• Manage scheduling and daily operations of the core facility, including occasional holiday and weekend support.
• Maintain detailed logs of instrument performance, usage, and experiments.
• Collaborate with faculty, staff, and trainees to advance structural biology and cell biology research projects.

• Ph.D. in structural biology, biophysics, biochemistry, or a related field.
• Demonstrated expertise in single-particle cryo-EM analysis (sample preparation, data collection, and/or image processing).
• Familiarity with cryo-EM instrumentation and workflows; willingness to learn and train in cryo-electron tomography and cryo- FIB milling.
• Strong technical troubleshooting skills and attention to detail.
• Excellent organizational, communication, and record-keeping skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a collaborative team.
• Willingness to work some holidays and weekends to support time-sensitive projects and instrument operations.

Benefited Staff

The University is a participating employer with Utah Retirement Systems (“URS”). Eligible new hires with prior URS service, may elect to enroll in URS if they make the election before they become eligible for retirement (usually the first day of work). Contact Human Resources at  for information. Individuals who previously retired and are receiving monthly retirement benefits from URS are subject to URS’ post-retirement rules and restrictions.

Please contact Utah Retirement Systems at  or  or University Human Resource Management at  if you have questions regarding the post-retirement rules.

This position may require the successful completion of a criminal background check and/or drug screen.

The University of Utah values candidates who have experience working in settings with students and patients from all backgrounds and possess a strong commitment to improving access to higher education and quality healthcare for historically underrepresented students and patients.

All qualified individuals are strongly encouraged to apply. Veterans’ preference is extended to qualified applicants, upon request…