Assistant Director, Sauer Lab, Center for Biomedical Research Support

Assistant Director, Sauer Lab, Center for Biomedical Research Support

Hiring Department: Center for Biomedical Research Support

Position Open To: All Applicants

Weekly Scheduled Hours: 40

FLSA Status: Exempt from FLSA

Earliest Start Date: Immediately

Position Duration: Expected to Continue

Location: AUSTIN, TX

The Center for Biomedical Research Support (CBRS) at The University of Texas at Austin brings together a collaborative network of core facilities and laboratory support services under the Vice President for Research, (OVPR). At a leading public research university recognized as a “Public Ivy,” CBRS connects researchers across campus and beyond with advanced technologies, specialized expertise, and services that support a broad range of scientific disciplines.

CBRS seeks an Assistant Director for its Cryo-EM Facility to join this collaborative service community. The position combines scientific expertise, researcher support, and facility leadership, helping investigators with varied research goals and levels of experience access and apply cryo-electron microscopy. As part of the broader CBRS network, the Assistant Director will work alongside colleagues across research cores to connect expertise, support interdisciplinary projects, and meet the evolving needs of the research community.

UT Austin offers a competitive benefits package that includes:

• 100% employer-paid basic medical coverage
• Retirement contributions
• Paid vacation and sick time
• Paid holidays

  Please visit our Human Resources (HR) website to learn more about the total benefits offered.

  Purpose

  The Sauer Structural Biology Laboratory (SSBL) is a state-of-the-art electron microscopy (EM) facility equipped with Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and CryoEM capabilities. Our instruments include a FEI Titan Krios with a Biocontinuum GIF and K3 direct detector, a Thermo-Fisher Glacios with a Falcon IVi detector, and a JEOL 1400 Flash with a ClearView camera and Oxford Instruments Xplore detector, as well as a soon to be deployed Aquilos 2+. SSBL is seeking motivated and collaborative candidates for an assistant director position. We welcome applicants who are eager to contribute to a high-performance core facility, support cutting-edge structural biology research, and grow professionally within a dynamic, service oriented environment.

  Responsibilities

  • Continuously monitor performance of microscope and camera systems.
  • Maintain and coordinate service on Cryo-EM, TEM and SEM and ancillary equipment to ensure that the facility and all instruments are in top working condition for high-resolution structural studies.
  • Monitor facilities and ancillary systems for the microscopes, and coordinate service and maintenance as needed. Continuously monitor performance of microscope and camera systems.
  • Assist in planning and maintaining the computing environment needed for data collection and image processing, coordinating with CBRS research computing staff and institutional partners to support facility and user needs.
  • Consult with client labs to assist with planning and execution of experiments
  • Evaluate, supervise, and mentor staff, assisting in their professional growth
  • Operate as a technical resource for colleagues, CBRS administration and the academic community, advising on workflows and equipment choices.
  • Lead community outreach and engagement efforts, including workshops, user meetings, training programs, and scientific events that strengthen connections among users and partner organizations.
  • Lead development and review of service rates and cost-recovery models, ensuring alignment with institutional policies, operational sustainability, and user needs
  • Participate in budget development, financial planning, rate reviews, and cost-recovery analyses to ensure the long-term sustainability and growth of facility operations.

    Required Qualifications

    • Master's degree in life or physical sciences, or in a field related to the work to be performed.
    • At least 4 years' experience operating or maintaining high-end transmission electron microscopes, with at least 3 years of experience using cryo-TEM for imaging of biological samples.
    • Demonstrated experience managing staff, including providing direction and supporting professional development.
    • Excellent written and verbal communication skills for working in a team environment and collaborating with a multi-disciplinary user base.
    • Strong commitment to building and maintaining a positive work environment.
    • Ability to work independently or as a team member.
    • Strong critical thinking and troubleshooting skills.
    • Ability to complete tasks thoroughly and accurately, ensuring high-quality outcomes.
    • Experience using SerialEM.

      Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

      Preferred Qualification

      • Proven experience in a multi-user core facility environment, including training, troubleshooting, and assisting researchers across various biological projects.
      • Deep knowledge of SPA cryo-EM workflows/equipment, with knowledge of cryo-ET and microED data collection and processing as a plus.
      • Strong computational expertise relevant to cryo-EM research, including experience with Linux environments, scientific scripting, workflow automation, GPU-based processing, or high-performance computing.
      • Experience developing, troubleshooting, or improving cryo-EM data processing workflows, with an understanding of associated computing, storage, and data transfer requirements.
      • Demonstrated ability to connect microscopy operations with computational resources and research workflows, working effectively with researchers, technical staff, and institutional computing partners.
      • Thorough understanding of the theoretical basis of cryo-EM and the practical technical considerations associated with data collection and analysis.
      • Track record of contributing to scientific endeavors/publications within the field of electron microscopy
      • Experience in the use and operation of FEI/ThermoFisher Scientific and JEOL electron microscopes.

        Salary Range

        $100,000 + depending on qualifications

        Working Conditions

        • Personal protection equipment (furnished).
        • May work around chemical fumes.
        • May work around standard office conditions.
        • May work around bio-hazards.
        • May work around chemicals.
        • Repetitive use of a keyboard at a workstation.

          Required Materials

          Please mark “yes” on the application for required materials. Failure to attach all additional materials listed may affect candidates being considered for the position.

          • Resume/CV
          • 3 work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor.
          • Letter of interest