Do you get satisfaction from getting, or helping others get, the most beautiful microscopy images? Are you excited to take microscopy works in mechanobiology and regenerative medicine research to the next level? We are seeking an enthusiastic microscopy facility manager interested in the hands-on support of our Laboratory for Cell & Tissue Engineering, facilitating the various exciting research programs in our department.

Job Description

We are searching for a microscopy facility manager to facilitate and support the research in the Laboratory for Cell & Tissue Engineering at the Department of Biomedical Engineering of the Eindhoven University of Technology. Our ideal candidate loves to work in the lab, has a hands-on, supportive, collaborative, and constructive mindset, is well-organized, and has good communicative and social skills.

The Laboratory for Cell & Tissue Engineering is a shared research and training facility with approximately 250 regular users from various scientific backgrounds (ranging from molecular cell biologists to tissue engineers and biomaterial scientists). The microscopy facility within the Laboratory for Cell & Tissue Engineering is an important enabling platform that is essential for the work of many (if not all) research groups in the department. There are currently approximately 150 regular users of the microscopy facility, which comprises high-end microscopes for bright field, fluorescence, and confocal and nonlinear laser-scanning imaging. The microscopes are intensely used, being the main 'working horses' of the department. The users are of various research groups and backgrounds with highly variable levels of prior experience in microscopy techniques, as well as variable in terms of content-demand for the microscopy.

As the manager of the microscopy facility, therefore, it is essential that you have excellent organizational and communication skills, and a supportive and facilitating mindset. You will be embedded in the Regenerative Engineering and Materials (REM) Research Cluster, as well as in the team for lab support, under the direct supervision of one of the research staff members and in close collaboration with the lab manager. You will be in frequent contact with all academic staff, support staff, post-doctoral fellows, PhD candidates, and master's and bachelor's students of the various research groups that make use of the microscopy facility. As such, you should be well-aware of the research in the department and the REM cluster in particular, representing the main user group of the lab, and be visible for and work closely with the researchers in the lab.

In order to stay at the leading edge of our scientific fields, it is essential to keep developing our laboratory facilities and the analytical technologies available to our researchers. You will have a role in advising for further development of the microscopy-based facilities and related equipment of the Laboratory for Cell and Tissue Engineering. To be able to do so, you will be integrated in the department's scientific research and be on top of the state-of-the-art in the field, including the development of novel microscopy-based techniques. Therefore, your responsibilities are expected to combine microscopy management (0.5-0.6 fte) and research support (0.4-0.5 fte).

Specific tasks to be fulfilled:

• Microscopy user management, coordination of super-users.
• Training and education of users in microscopy techniques/skills.
• Serving as content expert for microscopy/optics and imaging-based techniques.
• Forming bridge to neighboring microscopy facilities in the Institute for Complex Molecular Systems and other departments.
• Coordinating maintenance, maintenance contracts of microscopes, supporting lab manager.
• Participating in research projects involving microscopy-related and correlative techniques (e.g., combinations of live-cell imaging, widefield and laser-scanning microscopy, two-photon microscopy, laser ablation, Traction Force Microscopy, Atomic Force Microscopy, etc.).
• Keeping abreast of the latest microscopy-related developments in the field, potentially through participation in intramural/extramural conferences and workshops.
• Advising in purchasing of new equipment and hands-on development of microscopy-based platforms (e.g., light-sheet microscopy).

• Proven expertise with microscopy and microscopy-based techniques, preferably with at least 4 years of work experience.
• Experience in cell (mechano)biology research or related field.
• Strong English communication skills and organizational skills.
• A supportive, facilitative, and positive mindset with well-developed common sense.
• Flexible and independent attitude and hands-on mentality.
• Experience in supporting research in an academic setting is considered a plus.

If you are concerned that you don't meet all the requirements sufficiently, but the job does excite you, then be sure to respond, we would love to look at your profile.

An exciting position within an international yet personal university. You are right in the middle of the students, on a green campus within walking distance of the central station. Besides beautiful architecture, you will find varied workplaces and excellent sports facilities. We also offer you:

• A gross monthly salary of minimum € 3.226,- to maximum € 5.090 for full-time employment, depending on your knowledge and experience (scale 9 to 10 of the collective labour agreement for Dutch Universities).
• In addition to vacation pay, a structural end-of-year bonus of 8.3%.
• A selection model for additional fringe benefits.
• Working hours in consultation for an optimal work-life balance.
• Scope for your talent with advancement prospects and excellent development opportunities such as mentoring, workshops and coaching.
• Partially paid parental leave and reimbursement for commuting expenses, working from home and the internet.
• A generous employer contribution to the favorable ABP pension plan.

Here you can discover even more information about our conditions of employment. Build on your career at TU/e!