Nikon Imaging Centre Deputy Manager

Job description

We have an exciting vacancy in the Nikon Imaging Centre (NIC) at King’s College London for the role of Deputy Manager. 

 

The NIC is a core facility for light microscopy, developed and operated as a partnership between King’s College London and Nikon Instruments UK. This partnership allows us to offer the latest state-of-the-art light microscopy and imaging to the research community and the Centre serves as a learning platform for our regional corporate partners and contributors. 

 

Our mission is to promote innovation across a broad range of biological research fields by providing access to cutting edge microscopy and imaging equipment as well as develop new microscope setups and imaging techniques in response to feedback from the users of Centre. 

The purpose of the role is to support in the operations and maintenance of the Centre. This will include providing guidance in experimental design and implementation, in addition to expert training/support to new and existing facility users. The role holder will support with equipment maintenance and troubleshooting, contribute to the running of the tissue culture room and assist the Manager in providing quotes to users applying for funding to use the Centre. 

 

This is an exciting opportunity to work in a busy, multi-user imaging facility, supporting cutting-edge research. The role would suite an organised, detail orientated individual who can manage their own workload and problem solve effectively. Excellent communication skills and strong interpersonal skills are essential.  

 

This role offers opportunities for development and growth and the Centre is committed to supporting staff to reach their career aspirations.    

 

This post will be offered on an indefinite contract 

 

This is a full-time post

 

Key responsibilities

 

•       Assist the NIC Manager in the efficient running of the Nikon Imaging Centre (NIC), supporting operations and maintaining a high standard of service and quality, ensuring effective usage of all equipment. 

•       Represent the NIC in internal departmental meetings in place of the manager, when required. 

•       Maintain up-to-date knowledge in microscopy to ensure a good foundation for providing technical expertise in microscopy experimental methods and advice in microscopy sample prep, image acquisition and analysis. 

•       Act as a point of contact, dealing with NIC enquires and advising users on facility access, including microscope scheduling, user accounts, H&S policies and facility procedures. Assist the NIC Manager in preparing funding application quotes and accounts summaries for instrument usage.

•       Work collaboratively with the NIC Manager and RMID Health & Safety Manager to ensure the facility operates within the required H&S protocols. Adhering to COSHH, maintaining appropriate records and producing documentation such as risk assessments, standard operating procedures, protocols and guidelines.

•       Be aware of the risks in the work environment and their potential impact on own work and that of others. 

•       Provide logistical, technical and scientific support to external users for EuroBioimaging projects being undertaken in the NIC. 

•       Provide training and support to users, (both one-on-one and group workshops) on many different types of microscopy equipment including confocal, multiphoton, time-lapse and super-resolution.  

•       Identify users’ needs (e.g. students, colleagues, external bodies) and provide the required level of support. Maintaining accurate records of user training requests, workshops and bookings. Assist in the organisation of student workshops and in the development of student research skills. 

•       Analyse and interpret research data and help users to draw conclusions on the outcomes. Where appropriate, contribute to publications arising from work ongoing in the NIC. 

•       Provide routine daily microscope maintenance and troubleshooting, liaising, where required, with Nikon engineers for support and report any potential problems with instruments or maintenance to the NIC manager. 

•       Act as point of contact for requests regarding use of the NIC tissue culture room, with oversight of equipment maintenance and lab consumables.

•       Contribute to events within King’s to publicise and promote the NIC in consultation with the NIC Manager, Steering Committee and Nikon. 

•       Actively commit to professional development (e.g. Professional Registration with the Science Council). 

•       Contribute to NIC Steering Committee meetings and liaise with members for the support of the Centre. 

•       Deal with facility communication, using a range of channels, including information orally and in writing to users, senior managers and the Centre’s steering group, such as capabilities of imaging systems and analysis software, as well as material of a specialist or highly technical nature such as detailed specification of imaging systems and the specific applications these systems may be used for.  

•       Plan and prioritise own work, considering the needs of the Centre and its users. This will include prioritising user training and access, contact time with Nikon, scheduling any maintenance of systems within the Centre, planning and preparing seminars or workshops, assisting users with experimental design and image analysis. 

•       Balance competing pressures of user requirements and administrative demands and deadlines. Able to make independent decisions about day-to-day use/running of the Centre, including solving technical and user-based problems with microscopes either alone or with Nikon, prioritising user time and mediating any disagreements. 

•       Contribute to KCL student teaching/training as part of NIC workshops. 

•       Follow standard GDPR and Centre procedures for respecting confidentiality. 

 

•   The above list of responsibilities may not be exhaustive, and the post holder will be required to undertake such tasks and responsibilities as may reasonably be expected within the scope and grading of the post.  

 

Skills, knowledge, and experience

 

Essential Criteria

1.      Undergraduate degree in life sciences or physical sciences or equivalent experience. 

2.     Experience of microscopy/imaging in a research environment.  

3.     Strong communication skills. 

4.     Experience presenting information and communicating to groups. 

5.     Strong interpersonal, influencing and relationship management skills. 

6.     A broad understanding of effective approaches to train microscope users in imaging methodologies and techniques. 

7.     Excellent planning & organisational skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities.  

Knowledge of COSHH and implementing Health and Safety standards and protocols in a research setting. 

8.     Good technical understanding of imaging equipment and ability to apply learnt techniques/skills to the work context. 

9.     Detailed and focused approach, ability to record and manage data accurately, and in accordance with GDPR and legislation requirements. 

 

Desirable criteria

10.   PhD in life sciences or physical sciences. 

11.   Experience providing training and workshops. 

12.   Experience in image analysis and processing.