Senior Research Associate

Date Posted: 04/07/2025
Req ID:42426
Faculty/Division: Temerty Faculty of Medicine
Department: Microscopy Imaging Laboratory
Campus: St. George (Downtown Toronto)

Description:

OVERVIEW:
The Microscopy Imaging Lab in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto invites applications for the position of Research Associate to oversee the daily operations of a state-of-the-art Cryo-Electron Microscopy (cryo-EM) facility, as well as design and lead groundbreaking research projects in the area of structural biology, cryo-EM imaging and computational data processing.

QUALIFICATIONS:
Candidates require a Ph.D. in Structural Biology, Biochemistry, Biophysics, Bioengineering, or a related field, with 3-5 years of research experience in cryo-EM, including single-particle analysis, cryo-electron tomography or related techniques. Candidates require hands-on experience with high-end electron microscopes including transmission electron microscopes (e.g., Glacios2, Talos L120C), and data collection and processing software such as EPU, SerialEM, Relion, cryoSPARC, or cisTEM. Strong technical expertise in sample preparation methods (e.g., plunge freezing, high-pressure freezing, Cryo-FIB milling), associated instrumentation (e.g., Vitrobot, Leica GP2) and Cryo-EM workflows. 

Candidates must also have a strong and long-standing track record of publication and experience in designing, planning, and executing experiments, as well as data analysis, interpretation, quantification, and figure preparation for grants and manuscripts. Candidates will also be involved in mentoring and assisting in training students and postdoctoral fellows using the facility, and support the Director of MIL in preparing grant applications and presenting findings at meetings and conferences. Excellent organizational and communication skills are required, as well as the ability to work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary research environment, supporting various user groups.

KEY DUTIES:

• Develop and conduct independent research in cryo-EM techniques and experiment design.
• Collaborate with researchers and contribute to the compilation, analysis, and reporting of research findings to researchers within and outside the program.
• Liaise with other Cryo-EM facilities in Toronto, to ensure samples could be transferred to the Titan Krios for high resolution data collection.
• Optimize Cryo-EM techniques, data analysis workflows, and experiment design 
• Contribute directly to research via experimental design, execution, interpretation, and write-up.
• Present findings at local, national, and international conferences.
• Contribute to research proposals and report on progress
• Prepare manuscripts for submission to peer-reviewed publications/journals.
• Participate in opportunities to educate the research community on cryo-EM methodologies.

Beyond these responsibilities, the individual may be expected to participate in research supervision of two or more students or other trainees. At all times, the individual will be expected to support the overall research and teaching missions of the division.
 

Please note: 

• All qualified incumbents are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.

Closing Date: 05/09/2025,11:59PM ET
Employee Group: Research Associate 
Appointment Type: Grant - Continuing 
Schedule: Full-Time
Pay Scale Group & Hiring Zone: R02 -- Sr. Research Associates $61,510 - $107,439 - $124,864 (open)
Job Category: Research Administration & Teaching