Optical Microscopy Support Specialist

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an Optical Microscopy Support Specialist to join the Bioimaging Platform at the John Innes Centre.

The post holder will train users on all the light microscopes, collaborate on imaging projects, provide technical support including some sample preparation, give talks at the annual light microscopy course and help with the development of advanced technologies. Once trained by the senior optical microscopist the post holder is expected to keep the light microscopes in good order and trouble-shoot problems. A second aspect of the role is to give advice and collaborate on image analysis projects. The post holder will work closely with the Senior Optical Microscopist, Dr Eva Wegel, and provide cover in her absence.

Key Relationships

The primary relationship for this role is with the Senior Optical Microscopy Specialist, who provides regular oversight and guidance. The post-holder will also maintain key relationships with all members of the Bioimaging team.

In addition, the post-holder will interact directly with scientists from NRP research groups, and occasionally with external collaborators, to discuss project requests. The post-holder will contribute to the platform\’s training program by teaching others about light microscopy and how to operate the equipment. Participation in outreach activities organised by the Bioimaging Platform, which may involve engaging with schoolchildren, the public, and other visitors, may also be required.

This role does not involve any line management responsibilities.

Main Activities & Responsibilities

Percentage Assist and train staff and students on light microscopes and sample prep; perform imaging projects and contribute to scientific papers, when required, always encouraging scientific excellence; keep light microscopes and associated equipment in good order and perform tests, trouble-shoot microscope problems and arrange engineer visits in liaison with the senior light microscopist 60 Assist staff and students with image analysis and collaborate on image analysis projects contributing to scientific papers
25 Deliver presentations, practicals and microscope demos for the annual light microscopy course 5 Develop techniques for optical microscopy 5 Assist with outreach activities organised by the Bioimaging Platform, involving interactions with schoolchildren, the public and other external visitors.As agreed with the line manager, any other duties commensurate with the nature of the post, for example, contributing to the work of Institute committees 5 Ensure research and record keeping is carried out in accordance with good practice, Scientific Integrity and in compliance with local policies and any legal requirements Continually strive for excellence, seeking out and acting on feedback and relevant learning and development opportunities As agreed with line manager, any other duties commensurate with the nature of the role

Person Profile

Education & Qualifications

Requirement Importance BSc or equivalent in Biology or Physics Essential PhD or equivalent in Biology or Optical Engineering Desirable

Specialist Knowledge & Skills

Requirement Importance Knowledge of programming languages such as Python and Java Desirable Knowledge of AI for image analysis Desirable

Requirement Importance Hands-on experience in light microscopy techniques, esp. confocal microscopy Essential Experience in image analysis Essential Experience in advanced techniques such as FRAP, (FRET)FLIM, FCS, SIM Desirable Experience in giving presentations on light microscopy techniques Desirable Experience in training users on light microscopes Desirable Experience in trouble-shooting microscope problems Desirable

Interpersonal & Communication Skills

Requirement Importance Excellent communication skills, both written and oral, including the ability to present complex information with clarity Essential Good interpersonal skills, with the ability to work as part of a team Essential Demonstrated ability to work independently, using initiative and applying problem solving skills Essential Excellent time management and organisational skills Essential

Additional Requirements

Requirement Importance Promotes equality and values diversity Essential Willingness to embrace the expected values and behaviours of all staff at the Institute, ensuring it is a great place to work Essential Ability to maintain confidentiality and security of information where appropriate Essential Willingness to work outside standard working hours when required Essential Ability to undertake occasional travel (national and international) related to collaborations and/or seminars Essential Attention to detail Essential Promotes and strives for continuous improvement Essential

Who We Are

The John Innes Centre is an independent, international centre of excellence in plant and microbial genetics, carrying out fundamental and strategic research, to train scientists and making our findings available to society.

Our research makes use of a wide range of disciplines in the biological and chemical sciences including; cell biology, biochemistry, chemistry, genetics and molecular biology.

We pride ourselves on being a welcoming and inclusive working environment for all. We have a diverse and multicultural scientific community and thrive on our European and international links, appointing staff from across the world. Any candidate who would like further information on current or anticipated immigration requirements can contact the HR Team on +44 (0)1603 450888 or nbi.recruitment@nbi.ac.uk.

We are proud to hold a prestigious Athena SWAN Gold award , recognising the impact of our work in promoting gender equality in science. We are also a proud member of the Stonewall Diversity Champion’s programme , a founding signatory of the Tecnician Commitment and, as a Disability Confident employer, guarantee to offer an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the post.

The John Innes Centre is a registered charity (No. 223852), limited by guarantee (registered in England No. 511709).

Department

Cell & Developmental Biology

Development continues throughout the life of the plant. While many linear pathways affecting development have been discovered and are illustrated by elegant genetic studies, the challenge of the future will be for us to understand how these developmental pathways are integrated, both with themselves as well as with environmental signals, to enable a mature plant to grow from a seed. Guided by evolutionary principles, the Department uses its knowledge of biological processes obtained in laboratory organisms such as Arabidopsis to understand processes in crop plants such as Brassicas and cereals. To study this interaction of the plant genome with internal developmental networks and the environment, the Department uses a combination of genetic, cell biological, molecular and evolutionary strategies. The insights we are gaining provide both an increasingly detailed knowledge of the proteins involved in diverse regulatory mechanisms and a conceptual framework in which this knowledge can be related and eventually integrated into a molecular description of plant cell function. The knowledge the department is creating is relevant to agriculture. Genes that control plant stature, form, over-wintering responses and growth are potentially useful for improving crop performance.

This position will be based within the Bioimaging Platform, which caters for the light and electron microscopy needs of the research groups at the John Innes Centre (JIC) in Norwich. JIC is a globally recognised, independent research institute specialising in plant and microbial sciences. We provide extensive microscopy services, training, and technical support to JIC scientists and also collaborate on imaging projects across the wider Norwich Research Park.

The Bioimaging Platform is well-equipped for light microscopy. We have four scanning confocal microscopes (Zeiss LSM980 Airyscan Multiplex and LSM880 Airyscan fast, Leica Stellaris 8 FALCON with FCS and SP8 TCSPC with Picoquant FLIM), a Zeiss Elyra PS1 and an Elyra 7 SIM microscope, three Zeiss epifluorescence microscopes and two Zeiss Axio Zoom V16 fluorescence stereo microscopes. In addition, there is an array of sample preparation equipment for light microscopy. The electron microscopy side of the platform features a field-emission transmission electron microscope (TEM) and two field-emission scanning electron microscopes (SEM) with cryo-systems, including one with a 3View system for serial block-face SEM as well as specimen preparation equipment for electron microscopy.

Optical Microscopy Support Specialist
Salary: £36,540 to £45,350 per annum depending on qualifications and experience.
Contract: Fulltime, indefinite
Location: John Innes Centre, Norwich, UK.
Closing date: 11 August 2025
Reference: 1004919

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an Optical Microscopy Support Specialist to join the Bioimaging Platform at the John Innes Centre.

About the John Innes Centre:

The John Innes Centre is an independent, international centre of excellence in plant and microbial sciences. We nurture a creative, curiosity-led approach to answering fundamental questions in bioscience, and translate that knowledge into societal benefits. Our strategic vision, Healthy Plants, Healthy People, Healthy Planet , sets out our ambitious long-term goals for the game changing impact of our science globally.

Our employees enjoy access to state-of-the-art technology and a diverse range of specialist training opportunities, including support for leadership and management. Click here to find out more about working at the John Innes Centre.

About the Bioimaging Platform:

This position will be based within the Bioimaging Platform, which caters to the light and electron microscopy needs of the research groups at the John Innes Centre (JIC) in Norwich. JIC is a globally recognised, independent research institute specialising in plant and microbial sciences. We provide extensive microscopy services, training, and technical support to JIC scientists, and also collaborate on imaging projects across the wider Norwich Research Park.

The Bioimaging Platform is well-equipped for light microscopy. We have four scanning confocal microscopes (Zeiss LSM980 Airyscan Multiplex and LSM880 Airyscan fast, Leica Stellaris 8 FALCON with FCS and SP8 TCSPC with Picoquant FLIM), a Zeiss Elyra PS1 and an Elyra 7 SIM microscope, three Zeiss epifluorescence microscopes and two Zeiss Axio Zoom V16 fluorescence stereo microscopes.

In addition, there is an array of sample preparation equipment for light microscopy. The electron microscopy side of the platform features a field-emission transmission electron microscope (TEM) and two field-emission scanning electron microscopes (SEM) with cryo-systems, including one with a 3View system for serial block-face SEM as well as specimen preparation equipment for electron microscopy.

The role:

We are seeking an enthusiastic and motivated Optical Microscopy Support Specialist to join our Bioimaging Platform at a world-leading institute in a full-time, indefinite post.

The post holder will train users on all the light microscopes, collaborate on imaging projects, provide technical support including some sample preparation, give talks at the annual light microscopy course and help with the development of advanced technologies such as (FRET-)FLIM and FCS.

A second aspect of the role is to give advice and collaborate on image analysis projects. The post holder will work closely with the Senior Optical Microscopist, Dr Eva Wegel, and provide cover in her absence.

The ideal candidate:

The ideal candidate will have experience with various light microscopes, esp. scanning confocal microscopes.

A knowledge of quantitative techniques such as (FRET-)FLIM, FCS and FRAP is highly desirable as is experience in user training on instruments. Experience in microscope maintenance/trouble shooting would be welcomed but those skills can be acquired on the job.

It is essential that the candidate has an interest in image analysis and coding and experience in image analysis software (Fiji, Arivis) and Python/Java programming would be ideal.

Opportunities to attend technical training courses will be provided. Experience in applying AI to image analysis would be a bonus but this skill can be acquired while in post.

Excellent communication skills are essential for user training, presentations and collaborations with research groups.

Additional information:

Interviews will be held on Monday 15th September. For informal enquiries please contact Eva Wegel at eva.wegel@jic.ac.uk.

Please note: the immigration rules are changing from 22 July 2025. From this date, this role will not meet the full salary requirements set by UKVI to allow for visa sponsorship. However, some individuals may still be eligible for visa sponsorship depending on their personal circumstances. If you require visa sponsorship, please click here to find out if you qualify before applying. Please note, the occupation code for this role is 2112, which is on the immigration salary list.

We are an equal opportunities employer, actively supporting inclusivity and diversity. As a Disability Confident organisation, we guarantee to offer an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for this vacancy. We are proud to hold a prestigious Gold Athena SWAN award in recognition of our inclusive culture, commitment and good practices towards advancing of gender equality. We offer an exciting, stimulating, diverse research environment and actively promote a family friendly workplace. The Institute is also a member of Stonewall’s Diversity Champions programme.

The John Innes Centre is a registered charity (No. 223852) grant-aide

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