Research Associate I (Microscopy) at UniversityHealthNetwork

Union: Non-Union Number of vacancies:  1 New or Replacement Position: New Site:  Toronto General Hospital Department:  Advanced Optical Microscopy Facility (AOMF) Reports to:  Staff Scientist Salary Range:  $73,808 to 110,700 per year Hours: 37.5 hours per week Shifts: Monday to Friday Status: Permanent Full-Time Closing Date: April 10, 2026 Position Summary The Advanced Optical Microscopy Facility (AOMF) at University Health Network is Canada’s largest optical microscopy facility.  With instruments at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto General Research Institute, and the Krembil Research Institute, the AOMF provides researchers with the latest in optical micro-imaging technology for both internal (UHN) users and external users. The AOMF team provides training and support on various instruments and teaches users techniques of optical microscopy ranging from the basics of fluorescence microscopy to advanced super-resolution microscopy, modern live-cell methods and image processing and analysis.  This Research Associate position is for a Sample Preparation and Imaging Scientist.  The successful candidate has abundant experience in preparing fixed and live samples for confocal microscopy, including 4-colour immunofluorescence (IF) labeling and live-cell transfections.  At least half of their time will be devoted to sample preparation.  They will help users prepare routine samples (such as 4-colour IF) for use on the AOMF widefield and confocal microscopes.  Moreover, they will extend their expertise to include the preparation of samples suitable for:  1) 5- and 6-channel IF for standard confocal microscopy; 2) high multiplex imaging using the Spectraplex module on our Leica Stellaris confocal microscope; 3) STED super-resolution imaging of fixed and live mitochondria; 4) Expansion microscopy.  The Research Associate develops an expert knowledge of many of the Advanced Optical Microscopy Facility (AOMF) microscopes including widefield, confocal, and STED super-resolution microscopes; and they perform full-service image capture on these instruments.  Together with the rest of the AOMF team, the Research Associate consults with users as they plan imaging experiments, trains users to operate the microscopes and applies problem-solving skills to assist users with their projects and troubleshoot both sample and instrumentation issues.  The Research Associate also assists users in deriving meaningful data from their images using the AOMF’s image processing and analysis software (including ImageJ, Huygens, HALO, and Imaris).  As a senior member of the AOMF team, the Research Associate will be expected to continually enhance their microscopy expertise by reading microscopy papers and attending conferences, webinars, product demonstrations, etc.  They may help develop courses, presentations, and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for new sample preparations, instruments or microscopy techniques. Depending on the candidate’s aptitude and interests, there are several opportunities available for working on an individual research project. Most of the Research Associate’s time is spent at the AOMF’s PMCRT (101 College St.) and TGH sites, but they may occasionally help at the Krembil and Princess Margaret sites. Duties • Consult with users to help them plan their microscopy experiments • Provide expert advice and training for the preparation of fixed cells and tissues for 4-colour Fluorescence microscopy (fixation, permeabilization, labeling, and mounting) • Provide expert advice and training for the preparation of live cells for optical microscopy • Optimize and prepare complex samples for advanced optical microscopy experiments such as 5- and 6-colour IF, high multiplex imaging, STED super-resolution, and Expansion microscopy • Operate the AOMF widefield, confocal, and super-resolution microscopes for full-service image capture • Train users to operate the AOMF microscopes, and support them when they experience problems • Train and assist users on the AOMF's image processing and analysis software (ImageJ, Huygens deconvolution, HALO, and Imaris) • Read microscopy papers and attend conferences, webinars, product demonstrations, etc. to enhance microscopy expertise • Help develop courses, presentations, posters, Standard Operating Procedures for the AOMF's equipment or other optical microscopy techniques