Because technology does not stand still, it's role in biological discovery is always increasing. We at the Microscope Facility are proud to help researchers stay abreast of technological advances across light, fluorescence and electron microscopy. However, the limited size of our current staff prevents us from realizing our full potential. Hence, there are two mechanisms for meeting the demand for special services. One mechanism is increasing staff size, both with permanent and temporary staff. The other is offering research opportunities for undergraduates, graduate students and post-doctoral fellows. As described below, some of the research opportunities are collaborative endeavors with joint mentoring from users of the Facility as well as the Director of the Facility.

1. Staff Position Openings
   1. Full-time Opening
   2. Part-time Opening
2. Research Opportunities
   1. Undergraduate Research Opportunities
   2. Graduate Student Research Opportunities
   3. Post-doctoral Research Opportunities

Staff Position Openings

Full-time Opening: There is a full-time opening for a light microscopist. Please refer to Job Posting #26703 at JHUjobs  http://jobs.jhu.edu. The job posting is for an entry-level position. More advanced candidates will be considered for this job and would be compensated accordingly.

Part-time Opening: Part-time help, such as a work-study student, is needed to help update computers and their software. Familiarity with Windows 2000 and Windows XP Professional operating systems required. Prior experience swapping hard disks and installing operating systems are useful, but not required. Training will be provided as required.

Research Opportunities

All research projects will be mentored by the Director of the Microscope Facility, Scot Kuo, and by Facility staff, as appropriate. Dr. Kuo has extensive experience leading a research group involving advanced software, hardware, and optical design. Because the Microscope Facility serves a diverse population of users, customizaton is required to bring the latest technologies to all users. For the novice trainee, customization involves improving the ease-of-use of technology already in the Facility. For the advanced trainee, customization involves building new technological capabilities not commercially available, as well as trouble-shooting recently purchased technologies. Some projects will be jointly mentored by other research faculty to guide the specific biological application. These collaborative opportunities should provide a transitional bridge from engineering and physics to biomedical applications.

Undergraduate Research (one opening for Spring 2008) : Multiple projects developing or customizing hardware and software for specific user applications. Examples are software for tracking particles or for monitoring shape changes of migrating cells during tissue development. Other examples include automating equipment using motorized optical components, custom optical detectors, and computer-controlled power supplies. Experience with structured programming language (C, C++, Java) and MatLab, or equivalent, required. Instrumentation experience desirable for certain projects.

Graduate Student Research (one opening for 2008): Multiple projects developing or customizing hardware and software for specific user applications. Examples include adding latest hardware, such as solid-state laser light sources and near-infrared detectors, to existing instrumentation. Such technologies may not yet be available from the instrumentation manufacturer, but are needed to enhanced fluorophore detection of real-time cell signalling events within tissues. Experience with instrumentation design or software integration (LabView/LabWindows or C/C++ programming) is required.

Post-doctoral Research (one opening): Multiple projects developing or customizing hardware and software for specific user applications. Examples are single-molecule detection of dynamic cellular processes. Both biological expertise and opto-electronic expertise are required to complete projects.