Job description

We are looking for a talented Research Microscopy Technician with a passion and aptitude for maintaining, developing and managing light microscopes to join the Centre for Developmental Neurobiology, King’s College London.

The successful candidate will take up a central role in the upkeep and maintenance of microscopes used by researchers at Centre for Developmental Neurobiology. The candidate will also provide help with training researchers and carrying out inductions to ensure proper usage of the microscope.

The Centre currently houses a number of different microscopes, ranging from laser scanning confocal and 2-photon microscopes, to wide-field imaging microscopes that incorporate super-resolution microscopy and light sheet imaging. The candidate will need to be familiar with these different imaging techniques. In line with the diversity of imaging approaches in the Centre, the candidate will be expected to actively interact with researchers to not only maximise imaging conditions of existing microscopes, but also develop and help implement new imaging modalities.

The Centre is based on the Guy’s Campus of King’s College London providing an intellectually stimulating environment, state-of-the-art facilities, and excellent career development opportunities.

This post will be offered on an  a fixed-term contract until 03-Jul-2026

This is a full-time  post

Key responsibilities

• Participate in the maintenance and upkeep of Centre microscopes
• Train people on the usage of different microscopes
• Perform inductions for access to Centre microscopes
• Actively help Centre members maximize the imaging capabilities of their microscopes
• Act as a Laser Safety Officer in the Centre
• Explore new imaging techniques and collaborate on building either new microscopes or modifications of existing microscopes
• Take an active part in helping collaborators design their experiments.
• Be open to multitasking and effectively balance work on different projects.
• Manage day-to-day activities including inductions, microscope upkeep and development, to an agreed timeline.
• Participate in internal and external networks to foster knowledge exchange and new collaborations.
• Advise collaborators on imaging techniques or approaches that would help their work.
• Provide guidance to the Centre support staff who may need assistance with the relevant aspects their work.
• Keep up to date with knowledge and understanding of different imaging techniques, as well as neuroscience and other areas of life sciences.
• Be aware of the risks in the work environment and their potential impact on own work and that of others. 

The above list of responsibilities may not be exhaustive, and the post holder will be required to undertake such tasks and responsibilities as may reasonably be expected within the scope and grading of the post.

Skills, knowledge, and experience

Essential criteria

1. Degree in life sciences or physical sciences or equivalent experience.
2. Experience with different imaging/microscopy techniques
3. Expertise servicing, optimising and/or fine-tuning microscopes.
4. Knowledge of biological sciences
5. Knowledge of fluorescence imaging techniques in biological science across multiple imaging modalities
6. Ability to work in close collaboration within a team
7. A broad understanding of effective approaches to train microscope users in imaging methodologies and techniques.

Desirable criteria

1. Knowledge of neuroscience
2. Expertise with image analysis and processing across multiple imaging modalities
3. Expertise with developing/building microscopes
4. Experience with optogenetic approaches