Entry-level Imaging Scientist in the Advanced Light Microscopy Unit

The Institute

The Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG) is an international biomedical research institute of excellence, based in Barcelona, Spain, with more than 400 scientists from 44 countries. The CRG is composed by an interdisciplinary, motivated and creative scientific team which is supported both by a flexible and efficient administration and by high-end and innovative technologies.

In April 2021, the CRG received the renewal of the 'HR Excellence in Research' Award from the European Commission. This is a recognition of the Institute's commitment to developing an HR Strategy for Researchers, designed to bring the practices and procedures in line with the principles of the European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers (Charter and Code).

Please, check out our Recruitment Policy

The role

We're looking for an enthusiastic, highly organized person to join us at the Advanced Light Microscopy Unit (ALMU). The post holder will be expected to carry out the following tasks within the 12 months of residency:

• Contribute to daily and routine microscope maintenance and establish orderly documentation of results. Report and document equipment issues and initiate repairs using ALMU's RT system.

• Prepare and manage standard operating procedures (SOPs) for in-house QC experiments, following QUAREP-LiMi guidelines.

• Implement standardized QC workflows with integrated reporting and develop automated data analysis workflows.

• Develop trackable tools for QC measurements, with potential integration on the website.

• Establish and maintain ALMU's cell lines, oversee cell culture activities, prepare cells for downstream experiments, and ensure adherence to SOPs for culture and inventory management.

• Organize ALMU's consumables and assets and update the inventory.

• Ensure proper implementation of sustainability measures within ALMU.

• Update, manage, and add content to ALMU's website.

• Prepare a unified screen background across all microscope system PCs using QC data.

• Participate in organizing ALMU's teaching and outreach events.

The post holder will not be expected to train users, however, if they wish to develop their skills, training will be provided to help the post holder develop skills in instructing others on ALMU's routine and advanced microscopy technologies. In this case, some additional responsibilities will be e.g.:

• Ensure that all users adhere to ALMU and CRG policies and procedures.

• Interact with requests and bookings through ALMU's booking system.

• This is a 12-month entry-level position and training will be provided to support task completion. Please read the "Must Have" competencies below to be considered for the role.

About ALMU

ALMU is a walk-in core unit, part of CRG's Core Technologies Programme and member of Core for Life and EU-LIFE, an excellence alliance of core facilities and research institutes in Europe, and part of the Spanish Euro-Bioimaging Nodes: Super-resolution Light and Nanoscopy Node and Live and Intravital Advanced Light Microscopy Node. We are located in the level -1 of the PRBB building and together with our neighbours the Mesoscopic Imaging Facility (MIF) of EMBL Barcelona, we provide support and access to the full spectrum of light microscopy. We also collaborate with other research institutes in Barcelona, nationally and internationally.

The ALMU team consists of 4 dynamic and enthusiastic Imaging Scientists dedicated to assisting the research community with all aspects of Quantitative Bioimaging, including experimental design, sample preparation, acquisition, bioimage data analysis, automation and data visualization.

Our unit consists of microscope systems specifically designed for fluorescence microscopy and cover different modalities ranging from widefield and confocal to super-resolution technologies and use primarily open-source software for bioimage data analysis, including AI-based bioimage analysis. We also run teaching courses and workshops in collaboration with CRG Training for the internal, local and international scientific community. ALMU also develops new imaging-based methods and technologies and collaborates with the scientific community and our partner microscopy companies.

More information about ALMU here.

Whom would we like to hire?

Professional experience

Must Have

• Master's degree in physics, chemistry, biology or a related field

• Understanding of optical microscopy and the different imaging modalities

• Familiar with Python and/or R for data analysis, visualization and data interpretation

• Experience in quantitative imaging: sample preparation (live and fixed), image acquisition using light microscopy, and image processing and analysis

• Familiar with at least one bioimage analysis tool: Fiji/ImageJ, CellProfiler, napari, ilastik, cellpose or Huygens. Knowledge of ImageJ macro, OMERO or MetroloJ QC would be an asset

• Experience in graphic design and website content development would be an asset

Languages

• Strong verbal and written communication in English. Catalan would be an asset

Competences

• Empathy, understanding, active listening, and strong interpersonal skills

• Highly developed organizational skills and attention to details.

• Strong time management skills

• Possess a strong problem-solving mindset

• Ability to work independently and efficiently or as part of a team

• Ability to handle diverse daily tasks efficiently and in a timely manner, independently or as part of a team in a dynamic environment with frequently changing priorities

The Offer – Working Conditions

• Contract duration: Technical and scientific activities contract (estimated duration 12 months)

• Estimated annual gross salary: This is an entry-level position. Salary is commensurate with qualifications and consistent with our pay scales.

• Target start date: February 2026.

We provide a highly stimulating environment with state-of-the-art infrastructures, and unique professional career development opportunities. To check out our training and development portfolio, please visit our website in the training section.

We offer and promote a diverse and inclusive environmentand welcomes applicants regardless of age, disability, gender, nationality, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation or gender identity.

The CRG is committed to reconcile a work and family lifeof its employees and are offering extended vacation period and the possibility to benefit from flexible working hours.