Facility In-charge X-ray Crystallography Facility

Overall purpose:

• To play a major role in supporting the work of the research of groups in the Bangalore Life Science Clusterby maintaining the Protein X-ray Crystallography facility.
• To optimize the effectiveness of both in-house and synchrotron X-ray data collection.
• To provide training to new X-ray users, troubleshooting problems in data collection and to maintain the in-house data collection facilities and software setup.
• To oversee safety procedures in the X-ray laboratory.
• To keep abreast of new developments in protein crystallographic technologies and methods and assess and advise on any future upgrades of the in-house X-ray facility.

Main duties and key responsibilities:

• The key responsibility of the manager is to support cutting-edge research. You will be expected to provide the energy and independent thinking necessary to deliver an optimally functioning X-ray facility.
• To provide expert help and advice to all researchers in the institute solving structures by X-ray crystallography, requiring or requesting such support. To interact effectively with a wide range of staff, students and others to ensure the smooth running of the X-ray facility. This will include setting an example in the effective use of resources, training Students, Postdocs and others in best practice when using both the in-house facility and in collecting data at synchrotrons and taking responsibility for the use of communal facilities.
• To be responsible for all aspects of supporting X-ray crystallographic data collection, including defining the goals of the facility, conducting trouble-shooting when necessary, carrying out routine maintenance of the facility and evaluating possible equipment upgrades. To arrange and facilitate engineers visits when required.
• To play a major role in the organization of the use of synchrotron beamtime, ensuring all necessary administrative procedures are followed, including sample registration and dewar shipping.
• To take on specific responsibilities for managing equipment.
• To update local software installations relating to X-ray crystallography and related areas.
• To create and maintain documentation relating to use of the facility and synchrotron data collection.
• To maintain documents relevant to X-ray safety (Local Rules etc).

Education / qualifications / training required:

Essential: Either an MSc, M. E. or Ph.D. in engineering, physics, materials sciences or a related subject or an equivalent level of experience or training in a relevant area.

Previous work experience required:

Essential:

• Experience in X-ray data collection using both laboratory and synchrotron sources.
• Experience in dealing with technical problems with in-house X-ray generators, X-ray optics, and detectors.

Desirable:

• Experience of providing research support in a laboratory environment.
• Programming experience. Experience of using crystallographic software packages such as CCP4 or Phenix.

Knowledge and experience:

Creativity and initiative

Essential: Experience working independently in a creative and insightful way to trouble-shoot complex problems.

Independent working

Essential:

• Ability to work independently in maintaining the facility, while making use of other facilities (mechanical and electronic workshops, IT workshop) when appropriate.
• Excellent time management, with an ability to be self-motivated and to organize time effectively.

Verbal and written communication skills

Essential:

• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate at all levels of technical complexity with novice and advanced users, as well as experts including service engineers.
• Ability to provide clear documentation of protocols and written reports.

Applications may be sent to krishna@ncbs.res.in on or before 20th October 2018.