Director, Cellular Imaging

Overview

Cures Start Here. At Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, home to three Nobel laureates, interdisciplinary teams of world-renowned scientists seek new and innovative ways to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer, HIV/AIDS and other life-threatening diseases. Fred Hutch’s pioneering work in bone marrow transplantation led to the development of immunotherapy, which harnesses the power of the immune system to treat cancer. An independent, nonprofit research institute based in Seattle, Fred Hutch houses the nation’s first cancer prevention research program, as well as the clinical coordinating center of the Women’s Health Initiative and the international headquarters of the HIV Vaccine Trials Network. Careers Start Here.

At Fred Hutch, we believe that the innovation, collaboration, and rigor that result from diversity and inclusion are critical to our mission of eliminating cancer and related diseases. We seek employees who bring different and innovative ways of seeing the world and solving problems. Fred Hutch is in pursuit of becoming an antiracist organization.  We are committed to ensuring that all candidates hired share our commitment to diversity, antiracism, and inclusion.

The Director, Cellular Imaging will oversee the Fred Hutch Cellular Imaging Core Facility and will be responsible for all aspect of the core functions, including providing outstanding imaging services, education and support to Fred Hutch investigators, scientific collaborations, strategic planning, acquisition, and implementation of new technologies. The resource overall mission is to provide access to equipment and expertise to assist investigators in applying sophisticated light microscopy techniques. In addition, the director will consult with the faculty advisory committee (FAC) members on a regular basis and keep faculty updated on technical and operational objectives.

Scope of Responsibilities

The Director of the Cellular Imaging Shared Resource is a team leader who possesses a broad-based knowledge of light microscopy technologies and applications.  This person works under the guidance of the Senior Director of Molecular and Cellular Scientific Resources, along with input from the FAC, to assist in setting the direction, overall operation, and administration of the shared resource. In addition to operational responsibilities, other activities include providing technical development efforts to advance imaging support to the Fred Hutch research community. More specifically, the director assesses current and future needs, evaluates new technologies and their potential benefits for research at the Center, obtains funding for the purchase of needed instruments, hardware and software, trains end-users, assists with the utilization of all available technologies, provides specialized services, and disseminates and promotes the use of imaging and quantitative image analysis techniques through demonstrations, workshops, and seminars.

Responsibilities

Leadership

Create and maintain a team environment that strives toward excellence and that elevates the facility’s status as the premier scientific imaging core
Hire, train, and mentor a highly skilled technical team
Work with SR leadership and faculty advisors to develop a strategic vision for the core and create a roadmap to meet key objectives
Maintain an environment that is agile and responsive to change
Be proactive in identifying problems (and opportunities) and providing actionable solutions
Build and maintain scientific, academic, and commercial partnerships

Research & Collaborative Development

Identify, consult, and develop areas of collaboration for the core facility with faculty and industrial partners. Work with investigators to develop innovative applications for imaging technologies, assists and collaborate in experimental design.
Identify equipment grant opportunities and develop/submit grant to acquire new technology/instrumentation for the core.
Keep current in the field by maintaining contacts with colleagues, attending conferences and training sessions.

Service and Support

Engage and maintain positive working relationship with users of the core facility.
Work with researchers to determine and guide appropriate imaging strategies for specific experiments and/or research projects.
Communicate effectively about the services/resources available within and outside the institution to increase user base.
Effectively address potential researcher concerns – including determining the cause of the problem; selecting and explaining the best solution to solve the problem; expediting correction or adjustment; following up to ensure resolution.
Work with Morphometrics/Image Analyst to determine instrumentation and/or imaging limitations that need to be considered for image analysis development.
Help researchers obtain preliminary data for grants using existing imaging technologies and/or image analysis software.
Provide support letters for investigator research grant applications.

Education & Training

Develop and maintain a microscopy training program that utilizes existing expertise and provides users with a solid foundation for microscope utilization and troubleshooting.
Conduct demo/workshops demonstrating capabilities of existing imaging equipment and analysis software.
Conduct demo/workshops demonstrating novel technology in partnership with industry.
Appropriate guidance and education for individual users to meet their research needs.

Operations

Oversee daily operation of the laboratory. Delegate and oversee staff assignments.
Work with Research Administration – Shared Resource to project and develop annual resource budget. Operate and maintain the core facility budget. Manage operating budgets including the development of financial projections and business cases. Evaluate workflow and service levels, develop policies and procedures to optimize workflow and deliver high quality service. Maintain cost effectiveness.
Generate reporting metrics on facility deliverables and service levels to advise FAC.
Supervise and ensure the accuracy, completeness and timeliness of record keeping including schedules, instrument log books, records of user activity, personnel and staff time, supply inventories, purchase orders, equipment use and maintenance, metric reporting and monthly billing.
Development and monitoring of an effective staffing and retention strategy to include the hiring of employees, providing mentoring and professional development opportunities for direct reports, collaborate with human resources business partners to meet the talent management goals. Provide support and guidance to team members regarding Fred Hutch policies and procedures, organizational programs, and personnel issues.
 
Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Must have the knowledge and skills typically acquired through the completion of a PhD in Biophysics, Molecular Biology, Genetics or related field, with a minimum of 5 years of related experience.
Demonstrated expertise in advanced imaging techniques e.g., confocal and two photon microscopy, light sheet, super-resolution imaging (STED and SIM), FRET, and fluorescence lifetime measurements microscopy technologies.
Demonstrated ability to integrate multiple types of research approaches and hands-on experience with assembling and implementing advancing imaging systems.
Strong organizational skills, attention to detail and accuracy and the ability to work in a team environment are essential.
The individual will have excellent communication skills for interfacing with expert and non-expert users, as well as lay audiences.
Proven customer service and end user support experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Experience running a state-of-the-art microscopy core facility
Peer-reviewed publications with a focus on advanced microscopy
Grant writing experience (e.g., NIH S10 Shared Instrumentation Grant)

Fred Hutch has a mandatory COVID-19 vaccine requirement, with exceptions only for approved medical or religious accommodations.
As a condition of employment, newly hired employees must provide proof of vaccination or initiate the accommodations process before their first day of employment.

A statement describing your commitment and contributions toward greater diversity, equity, inclusion, and antiracism in your career or that will be made through your work at Fred Hutch is requested of all finalists.

Our Commitment to Diversity
We are proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) Employer. We are committed to cultivating a workplace in which diverse perspectives and experiences are welcomed and respected. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, ancestry, national origin, sex, age, disability (physical or mental), marital or veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, political ideology, or membership in any other legally protected class. We are an Affirmative Action employer. We encourage individuals with diverse backgrounds to apply and desire priority referrals of protected veterans. If due to a disability you need assistance/and or a reasonable accommodation during the application or recruiting process, please send a request to our Employee Services Center at hrops@fredhutch.org or by calling 206-667-4700.