Postdoctoral Associate in Rutgers Core Facility

Position Details

Position Information

Recruitment/Posting Title Postdoctoral Associate in Rutgers Core Facility Department Quantitative Biomedicine Inst Salary Details Minimum annual salary $63,968 Offer Information

The final salary offer may be determined by several factors, including, but not limited to, the candidate's qualifications, experience, and expertise, and availability of department or grant funds to support the position. We also take into consideration market benchmarks, if and when appropriate, and internal equity to ensure fair compensation relative to the university's broader compensation structure. We are committed to offering competitive and flexible compensation packages to attract and retain top talent.

Benefits

Rutgers provides a comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees. The specific benefits vary based on the position and may include:

• Medical, prescription drug, and dental coverage
• Paid vacation, holidays, and various leave programs
• Competitive retirement benefits, including defined contribution plans and voluntary tax-deferred savings options
• Employee and dependent educational benefits (when applicable)
• Life insurance coverage
• Employee discount programs

Posting Summary

The researcher will conduct experiments and provide technical expertise in the Rutgers CryoEM & Nanoimaging Facility (RCNF). The RCNF is a university-wide resource for the imaging and three-dimensional reconstruction of cells and biomolecules. As a member of the RCNF team reporting to the Director, the researcher will work with a range of laboratories, including intramural, extramural academic, and industrial groups. The researcher will apply cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) to fundamental biological questions being investigated by these laboratories.

The researcher will train and mentor students, fellows, and other scientists in cryo-EM. The researcher will also perform and document cutting-edge cryo-EM experiments independently. These include cryo-transmission electron microscopy and tomography, cryo-focused ion beam milling, correlative light and electron microscopy, vitrification, cryo-scanning electron microscopy, and classical electron microscopy including thin-section TEM. This position offers advanced training in the scientific and operational sides of running a modern cryo-EM facility.

Key responsibilities include:

• Sample preparation: Prepare and optimize grids for single-particle analysis and cryo-ET, including high-pressure freezing and cryo-FIB lamella preparation.
• Data collection: Run screening and automated high-resolution data collection using EPU, SerialEM, Tomo, and/or SmartScope.
• Image processing: Perform the full workflow from raw movies to 3D maps, including tomogram reconstruction and subtomogram averaging.
• Model building: Build, refine, and validate atomic models, and prepare EMDB/PDB depositions.
• Collaboration: Consult with users on experimental design and interpretation. Lead the cryo-EM portion of collaborative projects and contribute to publications and grants.
• Training: Deliver user training and maintain SOPs and training materials.
• Facility operations: Help with instrument oversight, maintenance, scheduling, and data quality control.
• Data management: Support data transfer, storage, and HPC/GPU computing workflows.
• Method development: Evaluate and implement new methods and AI/ML-based tools to improve throughput and data quality.
• Outreach: Present work at seminars and meetings, and help with workshops and user-community events.

This position may require the occasional evening/weekend sessions for data collection.

Position Status Full Time Posting Number 26FA0965 Posting Open Date 10/30/2026 Posting Close Date 01/31/2027

Qualifications

Minimum Education and Experience

Requires a doctoral degree in biochemistry, structural biology, biophysics, chemistry, cell biology, physics, or a related field. Requires at least 2 years' experience in electron microscopy. Requires prior peer-reviewed publication in the field of electron microscopy.

Certifications/Licenses Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Hands-on cryo-EM experience: Demonstrated experience covering sample preparation, data collection, and processing, shown by publications, preprints, or depositions.
• Single-particle processing: Proficiency across several packages, including CryoSPARC (and CryoSPARC Live), RELION, cisTEM, Scipion, and EMAN2.
• Tomography processing: Experience with tools such as IMOD, AreTomo, Warp/M, Dynamo, or RELION subtomogram averaging.
• Visualization and model building: Experience with UCSF ChimeraX, Coot, Phenix, ISOLDE, and ModelAngelo.
• AI/ML in cryo-EM workflows, including deep-learning particle picking (Topaz, crYOLO), denoising (Topaz-Denoise, cryoCARE), map post-processing (DeepEMhancer, EMReady), heterogeneity analysis (cryoDRGN, 3DFlex), and tomogram segmentation (MemBrain, membrain-seg).
• Structure prediction: Use of AlphaFold, RoseTTAFold, Boltz, and related tools for model building, docking, and integrative modeling.
• Pipeline development: Interest in building automated or AI-assisted pipelines for real-time data QC and facility operations.
• Computing: Linux and command-line computing; shell scripting (Bash) and/or Python; GPU computing, cluster job schedulers such as SLURM, or containerized software deployment.
• Instrumentation: Experience with electron microscope alignment, service, and repair, and with the operation of cryo-FIB/SEM, CLEM, and high-pressure freezing.
• Facility and collaboration experience: Prior experience training users or working in a shared core facility, and experience with industry or extramural collaborations.
• Communication: Excellent written and oral communication skills and a clear interest in teaching and mentoring.
• Independence: Ability to work independently and manage multiple projects for users with different levels of expertise.

Preferred Qualifications

Strong mechanical and technical aptitude, with a demonstrated interest in maintaining, troubleshooting, and repairing scientific equipment.

Equipment Utilized

Laboratory equipment routinely used includes transmission electron microscopes, scanning electron microscopes, focused ion beam microscopes, optical microscopes, plunge-freezers, high-pressure freezers, glow dischargers, electron beam deposition instruments, centrifuges, incubators, GPU workstations, and high-performance computing clusters.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

The researcher must be able to push/pull 230-liter dewars. The researcher must have good eyesight to interpret faint images, and must possess sufficient manual dexterity to manipulate small, fragile electron microscopy grids under liquid nitrogen.

The work will be conducted indoors in an office-type environment (70%) and a chemical/biological laboratory environment (30%).

Overview

The RCNF, housed in the Institute for Quantitative Biomedicine, gives the postdoc access to transmission and scanning electron microscopes, cryo-focused ion beam microscopes, plunge-freezers and high-pressure freezers, correlative light microscopy, and GPU computing resources. The position offers:

• Exposure to a wide range of biological systems through collaboration with many research groups across Rutgers and beyond
• Mentored professional development in facility management, method development, and scientific leadership
• Support for attending conferences, workshops, and training courses

Statement

Posting Details

Special Instructions to Applicants

Please submit a cover letter describing your cryo-EM experience and career goals, a CV with a publication list, and contact information for three references. Review of applications begins immediately and continues until the position is filled.

Quick Link to Posting https://jobs.rutgers.edu/postings/283315 Campus Rutgers University-New Brunswick Home Location Campus Busch (RU-New Brunswick) City Piscataway State NJ Location Details

Pre-employment Screenings

All offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of all pre-employment screenings.

Immunization Requirements

Under Policy 100.3.1 Immunization Policy for Covered Individuals, if employment will commence during Flu Season, Rutgers University may require certain prospective employees to provide proof that they are vaccinated against Seasonal Influenza for the current Flu Season, unless the University has granted the individual a medical or religious exemption. Additional infection control and safety policies may apply. Prospective employees should speak with their hiring manager to determine which policies apply to the role or position for which they are applying. Failure to provide proof of vaccination for any required vaccines or obtain a medical or religious exemption from the University will result in rescission of a candidate's offer of employment or disciplinary action up to and including termination.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

It is university policy to provide equal employment opportunity to all its employees and applicants for employment regardless of their race, creed, color, national origin, age, ancestry, nationality, marital or domestic partnership or civil union status, sex, pregnancy, gender identity or expression, disability status, liability for military service, protected veteran status, affectional or sexual orientation, atypical cellular or blood trait, genetic information (including the refusal to submit to genetic testing), or any other category protected by law. As an institution, we encourage all qualified applicants to apply. For additional information please see the Non-Discrimination Statement at the following web address: http://uhr.rutgers.edu/non-discrimination-statement

Posting Specific Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

• Cover Letter/Letter of Application
• Curriculum Vitae
• List of Professional References (contact Info)

Optional Documents