Job Description
Summary:
The FlyLight team project is a large-scale interdisciplinary research project aimed at mapping the Drosophila brain via high throughput imaging of fly lines genetically engineered to express fluorescent proteins in only a subset of neurons. The brains and ventral nerve cords of these flies are dissected, processed through immunohistochemistry, and imaged with confocal microscopy. Ultimately, these images are used to build up models of the fly central nervous system (CNS) that describe cell morphology, connectivity and lineage in the adult and developing fly. These tools and models will be shared with the scientific community worldwide to advance the understanding of the structure, development and function of the fly nervous system.
The confocal technician performs production work in support of scientific research that will mainly involve confocal microscopy imaging. In addition, the confocal technician will provide scientific support to FlyLight pipelines by performing techniques including Drosophila brain and CNS dissection, mounting and immunohistochemistry.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Image Drosophila brain and ventral nerve cords using Zeiss LSM700, LSM710 and LSM780 confocal microscopes, including weekends and some holidays (regular work hours will be 5 days a week, 8 hours a day, including Saturday and/or Sunday, for a total of 40 hours a week).
- Assist FlyLight’s confocal specialist to perform quality control of confocal images and initiate troubleshooting of earlier steps in processing.
- Assist FlyLight’s confocal specialist in planning and coordinating the team’s day-to-day imaging schedule.
- Assist FlyLight’s confocal specialist in reporting on microscope performance and usage on a weekly and monthly basis.
- Keep meticulous records, document work effort, schedule and estimate time for upcoming imaging efforts, and prepare reports.
- Assist in training and guiding research technicians to perform multiple imaging protocols.
- Dissect, stain and mount Drosophila brains and ventral nerve cords (adult and larval). All steps must be performed at consistently high quality according to established protocols.
- Communicate effectively with the manager, team members, researchers, and other support groups at Janelia.
- Demonstrate proactive and flexible problem solving.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Bachelor Degree (Master’s degree preferable), or equivalent education and experience in the life sciences or physics/optics.
- Experience in tissue preparation and confocal microscopy (experience with Carl Zeiss confocal microscopes preferred).
- Experience in Drosophila Biology / Neurobiology is a major plus.
- Demonstrated ability to work in a team, meeting or exceeding predetermined scientific goals and milestones.
- Previous experience in project management is a plus.
Skills and Abilities:
- Expert knowledge and hands-on experience in confocal microscopy imaging
- Excellent interpersonal skills to communicate efficiently with colleagues
- Strong organizational skills to develop and optimize project schedules and team planning
- Commitment to the team’s goal of providing outstanding technical support for research projects
Physical Requirements:
- Excellent vision (correction with glasses or contacts is fine)
- Ability to sit for several hours at a microscope (with breaks)
- Fine motor skills to manipulate tissue samples
Additional Information:
May maintain insects, plants, animals and/or bacterial and tissue cultures for experimental purposes.
HHMI is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Required Skills
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Required Experience
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