We are seeking a highly motivated individual to join the team as a cryo-EM IT scientist to support the mission of the facility in high-resolution cryo-EM. You will be responsible for installing, configuring, maintaining, and overseeing computational resources in the cryo-EM facility including software and hardware, participating in all steps of the image processing workflow, training and assisting users, participating in the development of new computational tools and methods in cryo-EM, and performing other duties as assigned. The position is focused on the development of NeCEN’s cryo-EM data processing platform, including:

• Implementation of new and existing cryo-EM software;
• Monitoring and evaluating relevant image processing technologies;
• Monitoring and evaluating the quality of targets processed within the pipeline;
• Creatively seeking new and informative ways for displaying results and supporting data at the front-end;
• Maintaining the processing platform and supporting scientists in data processing.

Your key responsibilities include:

• Installing, configuring, maintaining, and overseeing computational resources in the cryo-EM facility including software and hardware;
• Participating in and assisting the cryo-EM image processing workflow;
• Training, assisting, and overseeing users in usage of computational resources;
• Developing and implementing new scripts, web interfaces, tools, approaches, and/or strategies to facilitate all aspects of cryo-EM data handling;
• Working and collaborating with the IT team at Leiden University and SURFsara on data processing, data transfer, and data storage;
• Managing computational resources in the cryo-EM facility, including, but not limited to, organizing the resources, ordering supplies, keeping records, writing reports, and other activities as assigned.

• A Master's degree in Computer Science;
• Familiar with UNIX/Linux;
• Experience in Python programing and shell scripting;
• Knowledge in HTML/JavaScript/CSS is highly desirable;
• Knowledge in SQL, Java, C++ is a plus;
• Demonstrable experience in designing and maintaining secure and private IT Infrastructure;
• Experience in high performance computing/Linux cluster is a plus;
• Knowledge of VPN and MediaWiki is a plus;
• Strong motivation and ability to learn and practice new concepts/tools/techniques;
• Ability working both independently and collaboratively as a team member;
• Excellent problem-solving skills;
• Strong oral and written skills in English.

Fixed-term contract: Three years.

We offer a full-time position with a maximum of three years, depending on experience. Salary range from € 2.709,- to € 4.274,- gross per month (pay scale 10 in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities).

Leiden University offers an attractive benefits package with additional holiday (8%) and end-of-year bonuses (8.3 %), training and career development and sabbatical leave. Our individual choices model gives you some freedom to assemble your own set of terms and conditions. Candidates from outside the Netherlands may be eligible for a substantial tax break.

The Netherlands Centre for Electron Nanoscopy

The Netherlands Centre for Electron Nanoscopy (NeCEN) is part of the Faculty of Science at Leiden University and is embedded in the Institute of Biology Leiden (IBL). It is an open access facility for advanced high-resolution cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM). NeCEN is currently the only facility in the Netherlands able to offer the most advanced EM with two 300 kV Titan Krios Electron Microscopes dedicated to life sciences applications. It is integrated with other imaging groups in the Netherlands (NEMI) and located in Leiden, in close vicinity to Amsterdam and The Hague. Opportunities are provided for further professional development of data processing through courses, training, meetings, and conferences within the field of cryo-EM.

NeCEN participates in international research and development projects aimed at providing access to highly advanced infrastructure for structural biology, and in that framework collaborates closely with other advanced electron microscopy sites in Europe to enhance technical performance and access.

Users of the facility include academic researchers, but also pharmaceutical companies.

A small international team of scientific operators (PhD Level) and staff runs the facility. NeCEN’s mission is to provide access to cutting edge cryo-EM technology and expertise making it possible for researchers to understand life’s chemistry and develop pharmaceuticals. NeCEN provides a variety of services, ranging from cryo-EM specimen preparation and data collection to image processing and training.