Technical Leadership & Services:
- Provide scientific and technical expertise in biological tissue processing, histology, and imaging applications for investigators utilizing the Biomedical Imaging Core Facility.
- Perform and optimize tissue preparation workflows for a wide range of biological specimens, including FFPE, frozen, and fresh tissues from multiple organ systems and experimental models.
- Conduct histological and immunohistochemical staining procedures, including brightfield staining, chromogenic detection methods, multiplex immunofluorescence labeling, and specialized tissue-specific staining protocols.
Consultation & Support:
- Provide consultation regarding experimental design, tissue preparation strategies, antibody selection, fluorescence panel design, imaging parameters, and data interpretation.
- Assist investigators with image processing, quantitative image analysis, and preparation of publication-quality figures, presentations, and reports.
- Support grant applications, progress reports, manuscripts, and scientific presentations involving imaging core technologies and data.
Operations & Compliance:
- Maintain accurate records of instrument utilization, user training, service activities, and imaging projects.
- Coordinate routine equipment maintenance, preventative maintenance schedules, vendor service visits, and quality control procedures to ensure optimal instrument performance.
- Monitor and maintain imaging facility infrastructure, including microscope components, laser systems, cooling systems, environmental controls, computers, and data storage resources.
- Troubleshoot imaging instrumentation and sample preparation issues and work with vendors and technical support personnel as needed.
Training & Communication:
- Train investigators, laboratory personnel, students, and new core users on tissue processing procedures, imaging workflows, instrument operation, and best practices for image acquisition.
- Assist with development of standard operating procedures (SOPs), user documentation, training materials, and facility policies.
- Participate in departmental, research core, and institutional meetings and contribute to strategic planning and development of imaging core services.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Demonstrated expertise in biological tissue processing, histology, immunohistochemistry, and fluorescence labeling techniques.
- Extensive experience working with diverse tissue types and optimizing sample preparation protocols for microscopy applications.
- Expertise in brightfield microscopy, fluorescence microscopy, confocal microscopy, and two-photon imaging technologies.
- Strong understanding of microscopy principles, image acquisition parameters, fluorophore selection, spectral separation, and imaging optimization.
- Experience with image processing, quantitative image analysis, and preparation of publication-quality figures.
- Proficiency with imaging software platforms such as FIJI/ImageJ, Zen, LAS X, NIS-Elements, Imaris, CellProfiler, QuPath, or equivalent software packages.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills with demonstrated ability to train and support investigators from diverse scientific backgrounds.
- Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously while maintaining exceptional attention to detail and quality standards.
- Strong organizational, documentation, and record-keeping skills.
