3D electron diffraction specialist in cryo-EM core facility

IOCB Prague is a world-leading scientific institution dedicated to chemical and biological research. At IOCB, there is a strong emphasis on the translation of results from basic research into applications, such as drug discovery.

The cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM) core facility, in collaboration with Dr. Lukas Palatinus from the Institute of Physics, aims to establish the 3D electron diffraction (ED) methodology in order to routinely characterize small molecules, such as products of synthetic chemistry or natural products. The 3D ED methodology will foster the local structural determination of such molecules with emphasis on the determination of the absolute configuration.

At IOCB, we have local access to a basic cryo-EM screening microscope (JEOL JEM2100plus) and dedicated instrumentation for 3D ED, the 200kV TFS Talos Glacios with Ceta-D detector. In the future, the 3D ED setup could be extended with a hybrid pixel detector. In collaboration with Dr. Palatinus, a local computing infrastructure has been established to perform data analysis.

The successful candidate will be a key and valued member of the cryo-EM core facility. The post holder will be responsible for establishing and developing the local 3D ED workflow, including sample preparation, screening, data collection, and data analysis. The main output will be high-resolution 3D ED structure determination of small molecules. The candidate will be in charge of writing scientific reports and communicating results with other academic scientists from the IOCB Prague. The candidate will be responsible for the administration of the 3D ED data. The candidate will help other users to familiarize themselves with the 3D ED workflow and help to write the 3D ED workflow documentation.

The candidate should have experience with diffraction experiments.

Responsibilities:

• 3E ED sample preparation, screening, data collection, and data analysis
• Maintenance and development of 3D ED methodology
• Scientific reporting and communication with the IOCB research groups
• 3E ED data administration
• 3D ED workflow documentation