King's College London

About us

King’s College London is seeking a highly motivated cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) expert to manage its newly established Cryo-EM Structural Discovery Facility. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge structural biology research through single-particle cryo-electron microscopy and cryo-electron tomography, while playing a pivotal role in development the operation of the facility.

At the heart of this facility is a 200 keV JEOL cryoARM200 electron microscope with an energy filter and a top-of-the-range Gatan K3 direct electron detector. This instrument can produce reconstructions at better than 3 Å resolution and acts as a “feeder” instrument for the LonCEM Titan Krios microscope at the Francis Crick Institute, where King’s has a share. The facility also includes a Leica GP2 automated vitrification system for sample preparation.

The facility is part of our Research Infrastructure team within the Research Management and Innovation Directorate (RMID) and works closely with the Centre for Ultrastructural Imaging (CUI). Together, we provide everything from cryo-EM sample preparation and storage to screening and high-resolution data collection.

About the role

As Facility Manager, you’ll lead the operation and development of the Cryo-EM Structural Discovery Facility, while making a significant intellectual contribution to collaborative research. You’ll support a range of research projects, from experimental design and sample preparation through to data acquisition, analysis and interpretation.

The role includes operating the electron microscope and providing expert guidance to academic and industry researchers, helping to generate high-quality, publishable outputs. The post holder will play a key role in advancing methodological approaches, optimising cryo-EM workflows, and introducing new techniques to enhance research capability.

Working closely with the Academic Director, you will contribute to the ongoing development of the facility’s scientific capabilities, research output and strategic direction.

The appointment requires deep technical expertise in cryo-EM, including sample preparation, instrument operation, automated data acquisition and image processing. Strong leadership and organisational skills are essential to support a dynamic research environment and ensure the facility remains aligned with King’s research priorities.

This is a full-time post (35 Hours per week), and you will be offered an indefinite contract.

About you

To be successful in this role, we are looking for candidates to have the following skills and experience: 

Essential criteria

1.      PhD qualified in relevant subject area, or equivalent experience.

2.      Demonstrable expertise in cryo-TEM operation, including screening and high-resolution data collection and strong understanding of experimental design in cryo-EM or related structural biology approaches 

3.      An in-depth working knowledge of current methods and procedures for cryo-EM specimen preparation and imaging technology, and demonstrated experience in optimisation of workflows and/or development of new methodologies or techniques. 

4.      Experience in training new users and facilitating access to high-end instrumentation. 

5.      Experience with cryo-EM data collection software (most desirably SmartScope, SerialEM and/or Gatan Latitude). 

6.      Experience supporting key aspects of facility management, such as day-to-day operations in a similar facility, supervision of staff, or involvement in procurement and financial processes. 

7.      A good understanding of health and safety procedures and its implementation in a research laboratory environment. 

8.      Evidence of effective communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to engage senior stakeholders and communicate with staff at all levels, together with evidence of contribution to research outputs (e.g. publications, conference presentations).

Desirable criteria

1.      Experience with the maintenance and basic troubleshooting of Cryo- TEMs 

2.      A good understanding of cryo-EM data management, such as data transfer and storage, and network clustering. 

3.      Experience with automated vitrification equipment and an understanding of FIB-milling and/or cryo-CLEM methodologies.  

4.      Experience in facility pricing, budget management and reporting. 

5.      Proficiency using data processing software packages (CCPEM, CryoSPARC, Relion, IMOD, etc.)

Downloading a copy of our Job Description

Full details of the role and the skills, knowledge and experience required can be found in the Job Description document, provided at the bottom of the page. This document will provide information of what criteria will be assessed at each stage of the recruitment process.

Further Information

At King’s, we believe that the diversity of our community and a culture that is welcoming, open, inclusive and collaborative, are great strengths of the university. 

The Equality Act of 2010 protects the rights of our students and staff and provides a framework to fulfil our duties to eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation and in addition, to advance equality of opportunity and foster good relations between those who share a protected characteristic and those who do not. At times, this will include balancing rights and beliefs that can feel in tension.

We are committed to free speech and to academic freedom, believing that our foundational purpose as a university, is to create spaces where a wide range of ideas, including ideas that are controversial, can be discussed and debated, and where members of our community can express lawful views without fear of intimidation, harassment or discrimination.

When engaging in the robust exchange of ideas, we ask that our community is mindful of our Dignity at King’s guidance.

We ask all candidates to submit a copy of their CV, and a supporting statement, detailing how they meet the essential criteria listed in the person specification section of the job description. If we receive a strong field of candidates, we may use the desirable criteria to choose our final shortlist, so please include your evidence against these where possible.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is evolving rapidly, and we recognise its growing role in professional work. Applicants may use AI tools to support preparation of their application, for example to research the role or structure written responses. However, applications must reflect the applicant’s own work and experience. AI tools should not be used during interviews or assessment activities unless this has been agreed in advance as a reasonable adjustment. Further guidance on the use of AI in recruitment can be found here.

We reserve the right to close adverts early due to the volume of applications we receive. While the closing date may change, all adverts will close at 23:59 to allow sufficient time for applications to be submitted on that day.

We encourage you to apply at the earliest opportunity to avoid disappointment as once we have closed a vacancy you will be unable to submit your application.

To find out how our managers will review your application, please take a look at our ‘How we Recruit’ pages.