Medical Research Specialist I (Electron Microscopy & Imaging Unit)

Job description / Role

Job Description

Position Summary:
To provide expertise and services to the College of Medicine & Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, and hospital users in Light, Confocal, Scanning and Transmission Electron Microscopy fields.

Reports to: Chair - Anatomy

Duties and Responsibilities:
- Daily operation of CM10-Transmission, Environmental Scanning and TecnaiG2 Spirit Bio-Twin electron microscopes, and other ancillary (vacuum evaporators, sputter coaters, critical drying apparatus and monitoring of cold stage and cryosystems) equipments.
- Image analysis of biological and other specimens on CM10, TecnaiG2 BioTwin TEMs Transmission Electron microscopes and EDAX-X-rays of the ESEM.
- Daily alignment of the electron probe for quality of image and focus at high resolution.
- Calibration and image analysis, software data handling and setting of apertures, correction of astigmatism, aberrations.
- Calibrations, monitoring and data analysis on ESEM with EDAX for biological and native specimen for intracellular studies.
- Daily handling, operation maintenance and image analysis of the two advanced confocal microscopes Nikon Eclipse 80i and Zeiss LSM 510, attached with three laser probes and accessories.
- Installation and monitoring of liquid nitrogen and gas cylinders of argon, CO2 and nitrogen to ESEM and TEMs.
- Checking up of oils levels in the rotary, diffusion vacuum pumps, and setting up of proper vacuum and pneumatic system on a regular basis.
- Checking and maintenance of chillers, water levels and channel system gas manifolds and high voltage to avoid the breakdown of the instruments in the Unit.
- Cleaning of TEM apertures and glassware and regular maintenance of ancillary equipment of TEM & ESEM, as sputter coater, critical point dryer weighing balance, ultra-microtomes, glass knife makers, glass slide warmers, light and dissecting microscopes.
- Preparation of buffers, stains, fixatives, dehydrating solvent grades, resins (Epon 812, Durcupan, LR White) and other reagents, according to the needs for different techniques employed in variety of tissues and samples from medicine and basic sciences.
- Processing of tissue samples, fixation, immersion & tissue culture fixation, dehydration, embedding, infiltration, polymerization, critical point drying and sputter coating.
- Preparation of grid support films and stubs for TEM and SEM Microscopes.
- Maintenance of all aspects of microtomy and ultramicrotomy, including knife making, trimming of tissue blocks.
- Semithin and ultrathin section preparations, slides and grids staining for light and transmission electron microscopic observations and photography.
- Training of graduate & postgraduate students and junior technicians from CMHS & other Colleges of UAE University in EM related techniques, especially in tissue processing, embedding and polymerization.
- Assisting the pathologist in EM diagnosis of hospital biopsies and advising faculty members and EM users on the techniques available in the Unit and how best to make use of them.
- General upkeeps of assets and documentation of EM, SEM and Confocal data, including inventory of consumables, updating records and documentation of equipment purchase and procurements
- Performance of other duties as assigned by the immediate supervisor.

Requirements

Minimum Qualification
- Master of Science degree in Cell Biology or Morphological Sciences
- 4-5 years of experience

Expected Skills/Rank/Experience
- Knowledge of the operation (alignment of electron lenses, beam, image and maintenance and setting up software and electronic panels, electron optics, filament change adjustments, vacuum technology, gases, water chiller), maintenance and trouble-shooting of CM10-Transmission, Environmental Scanning and TecnaiG2 Spirit Bio-Twin Electron Microscopes
- Knowledge of the operation, maintenance and trouble-shooting of Nikon Eclipse 80i, and Zeiss LSM 510 confocal microscopes.
- The candidate should be able to operate the laser modules attached to the equipment
- Experience in image analysis and cytology and cytopathology
- Experience in laboratory work
- Proficiency in English

About the Company

Founded in 1976 by the late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, UAEU is a comprehensive, research-intensive university enrolling about 14,000 Emirati and international students. As the UAE’s flagship university, UAEU offers a full range of accredited, high-quality graduate and undergraduate programs through nine Colleges: Business and Economics; Education; Engineering; Food and Agriculture; Humanities and Social Sciences; IT; Law; Medicine and Health Sciences; and Science. With a distinguished international faculty, state-of-the art new campus, and full range of student support services, UAEU offers a living-learning environment that is unmatched in the UAE.

As a research-intensive university of international stature, UAEU works with its partners in industry to provide research solutions to challenges faced by the nation, the region, and the world. The University has established research centers of strategic importance to the country and the region which are advancing knowledge in critical areas ranging from water resources to cancer treatments. UAEU is currently ranked the number one research university in the GCC, number two in the Arab World, and #370 globally.

UAEU’s academic programs have been developed in partnership with employers, so our graduates are in high demand. UAEU alumni hold key positions in industry, commerce, and government throughout the region. Our continuing investments in facilities, services, and staff ensure that UAEU will continue to serve as a model of innovation and excellence.