Description

Position Summary

The University of Illinois Chicago (UIC), a leading public R1 research university, invites applications for the position of Director of the Electron Microscopy Biological Research Core Facility within the Research Resources Center of the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research (OVCR). This leadership role provides strategic, scientific, and operational oversight for a state-of-the-art shared research facility supporting transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and advanced biological sample preparation services. The Director will collaborate with faculty, trainees, and external partners to advance innovative, high-impact research across biomedical and interdisciplinary fields.

The successful candidate will oversee facility operations, instrumentation, staff supervision, user training, and scientific consultation while fostering a collaborative and service-oriented research environment. This position offers the opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge research initiatives, support grant development and publications, and help guide the future growth of electron microscopy technologies and services at UIC. Ideal candidates will bring strong expertise in biological electron microscopy, demonstrated leadership experience, and a commitment to advancing scientific discovery and innovation in a premier research environment.

This position is intended to be eligible for benefits.  This includes Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, a Retirement Plan, Paid time Off, and Tuition waivers for employees and dependents.

Salary: The budgeted salary range for the position is $105,000 -$115,000. The final salary offered will be determined by a thorough assessment of available market data, internal salary equity, candidate experience and qualifications, and budget constraints.

Job Responsibilities

Leadership and Administration

• Provide overall leadership and vision for the EM Biological Core Facility, ensuring alignment with the university’s research mission and strategic priorities.
• Supervise, mentor, and evaluate EM core staff performing microscopy operations, sample preparation, training, and data collection.
• Foster a collaborative, service-oriented culture that supports investigators at all career stages and from diverse academic and industrial backgrounds.
• Develop and implement policies, standard operating procedures, and best practices for facility operations and user access.

Scientific and Technical Oversight

• Oversee operation, maintenance, and optimization of transmission electron microscopes and associated ancillary equipment (such as 120kV electron microscope.)
• Ensure staff provide extensive training to users with varying levels of experience on EM instruments and their related ancillary equipment.
• Guide and support advanced biological sample preparation techniques, including routine and non-routine specimens, with method development as needed.
• Oversee microtomy for EM and LM applications, including staining techniques; support development of advanced microtomy methods.
• Provide scientific consultation in experimental design, data acquisition strategies, and interpretation of EM image data.
• Promote and support advanced methodologies, including cryo-EM and cryo-related instrumentation, as institutional capabilities evolve.

Research Collaboration and Service

• Collaborate with investigators to develop EM-based research approaches that enhance experimental outcomes and competitiveness for extramural funding.
• Serve as a scientific partner on interdisciplinary research projects, grants, and publications as appropriate.
• Ensure delivery of high-quality EM services and training that meet user needs and institutional standards.

Fiscal and Operational Management

• Collaborate on the development of cost-recovery models, provide service cost estimates, and oversee routine monthly billing for EM services rendered.
• Manage the oversight of expenditures, service revenue, and financial sustainability of the core.
• In consultation with relevant stakeholders, oversee ordering of supplies, service contracts, and equipment necessary for efficient facility operation.

Strategic Development

• Lead planning for future instrumentation acquisitions, upgrades, and emerging technologies in biomedical electron microscopy.
• Represent the EM Biological Core Facility within the institution and to external stakeholders as appropriate.

Other Duties

• Perform other responsibilities as assigned in support of the research mission of the university. 

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications

• PhD in a relevant field (e.g., biomedical sciences, cell biology, materials science, or related discipline.). 
• Extensive hands-on experience with TEM and SEM in a biomedical research environment.
• Demonstrated expertise in biological sample preparation, microtomy, and EM imaging techniques.
• Proven ability to manage personnel, shared research resources, and complex workflows.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to work effectively across disciplines.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with cryo-EM methodologies and cryogenic sample preparation.
• Prior leadership experience in a core facility or shared instrumentation environment at an R1 institution.
• Track record of research collaboration, publications, and/or grant support.
   

APPLICATION: To ensure fullest consideration, application materials must be received by Monday, June 01, 2026 by 5pm CST. Start date is as soon as possible after the close of the search. Salary is commensurate with experience and education. All candidates must create a candidate profile through http://jobs.uic.edu and upload a cover letter, resume and contact information for three references by the close date.

Candidates must apply for this role by visiting the following link:

https://uic.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/1/home/requisition/19813?c=uic

The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify. Offers of employment by the University of Illinois may be subject to approval by the University’s Board of Trustees. 

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position; however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.

The university provides accommodations to applicants and employees. Request an Accommodation