Associate Director, Histopathology Sciences

Associate Director, Histopathology Sciences We are seeking an experienced scientific leader to manage the ~$1.0MM combined operation of Histopathology Sciences, an interdisciplinary, multi-user core facility. The role oversees direct reports in four component areas: Histology, Clinical Chemistry, Electron Microscopy and Necropsy Service operations which directly supports JAX’s research and pathology functions. Fulfilling these responsibilities requires extensive knowledge of microscopy approaches, technologies, sample handling and command of basic research principles as well as good leadership, management and communication skills. Oversight of this group includes staff management and guiding process improvement as well as forecasting, and budgeting. Additional administrative responsibilities include metric development and monitoring as well as grant applications and related reporting. 1. Managing Operations - Overseeing operational management of reporting areas including Histology, Clinical Chemistry, Electron Microscopy and Necropsy Services. This position establishes major schedules, project management assignments and the allocation of manpower, space and equipment to ensure departmental commitments are met in compliance with institutional standards of operation and safety. Oversee instrument and facility operations and maintenance. Facilitate troubleshooting in this area in a timely manner. Manages direct reporting staff and activity; ensures best practice is followed by reporting managers/supervisors in overseeing their reports. Assesses employee’s performance including writing reviews, assuring technical growth and competence through goal setting and facilitated training. Recruiting and training new personnel as needed. Establishes and ensures service QC. Monitors adherence to department and institutional policy; assures SOPs and best practices are identified, incorporated, and followed as part of service routine. Oversees or directly delivers activity tracking and billing activities - assuring that all required logs are maintained, and all billing is completed in an accurate and timely manner. 2. Administrative Duties: Responsible for administrative aspects of Service operations. Responsible for the areas operating and capital budget, space, technology and service expansion planning. Develops area operating and capital budgets, operates facility within budget, overseeing subsequent management for all reporting areas; provides forecasting; participates in costing. Participates in grant writing as required, responsible for grant reporting when applicable. Also serves on institutional committees as needed. Participates in Departmental planning and development. 3. Service Customer Relations & User Communications: Host user meetings as required, troubleshoot specific user needs, survey user(s) to assess satisfaction & changing needs. Effectively communicate with scientists in protocol development & data interpretation; consult with users on experiment design and materials & methods optimization. Assist faculty, research support staff and students by training them to carry out advanced electron microscopy techniques. 4. Delivers Electron Microscopy Expertise: Directly deliver state-of-the-art electron microscopy services as the senior microscopist. Maintains current understanding of accepted specialty practices including an understanding of EMs “state-of-the-art.” Evaluate new equipment Involved in designing and carrying out experimental protocols for users, operating and maintaining microscopes and keeping the facility operating at an efficient and high level of productivity. Collaborates and/or assists an array of researchers with their EM projects. Training individuals in the use of electron microscopes Prepares biological and other specimens for both TEM and SEM, operation of the EM’s to evaluate specimens and to take, develop and print micrographs of the samples (standard and digital images). Other duties as assigned Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Education Required: Bachelor’s Degree Education Preferred: PhD, Master’s Degree or equivalent experience Experience Required: 5+ years Incumbent will maintain membership in histology professional organizations, attend external professional meetings and apply information from those meetings to the facility operations as warranted. Must have working knowledge of design, theory and functioning of the TEM and SEM, including skill in operating and trouble-shooting these instruments; 2) knowledge of design, theory and functioning of EM preparatory equipment (e.g. ultramicrotomes, sputter coaters, critical point dryers, vacuum evaporators), including skill in operating and troubleshooting; 3) experience in performing immuno-electron microscopy techniques, cytochemical methods, shadow casting, negative staining and thin & thick sectioning; 4) experience in photographic techniques (standard and digital).-and electron micrograph data interpretation; 5) A sound knowledge of necessary safety procedures for working in an EM Facility; 6) Ability to design and modify experimental protocols. Must have a mature and professional approach and must be an exceptional verbal and written communicator. Must thrive in a constantly changing environment and enjoy working with a diverse client base; requires excellent inter-personal skills to work with a variety of researchers. Must be a comfortable interface in an intense customer needs-driven role. Must be experienced in budget development, planning, forecasting and grant writing. Excellent math and written skills are required. Must have had prior personnel management experience including tasking, evaluation, skill building, training and general performance management. Should be able to critically evaluate technical work product of others and identify and address process improvement opportunities. Must be an effective team builder. Advanced facility with computer applications/tools is essential; familiarity with LIMS applications and implementation is preferred. Self-motivated, independent, patient and disciplined. Pay Range: $113,718 - $190,388 per year dependent upon experience. About JAX: The Jackson Laboratory is an independent, nonprofit biomedical research institution with a National Cancer Institute-designated Cancer Center and nearly 3,000 employees in locations across the United States (Maine, Connecticut, California), Japan and China. Its mission is to discover precise genomic solutions for disease and empower the global biomedical community in the shared quest to improve human health. Founded in 1929, JAX applies over nine decades of expertise in genetics to increase understanding of human disease, advancing treatments and cures for cancer, neurological and immune disorders, diabetes, aging and heart disease. It models and interprets genomic complexity, integrates basic research with clinical application, educates current and future scientists, and provides critical data, tools and services to the global biomedical community. For more information, please visit EEO Statement: The Jackson Laboratory provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment in all job classifications without regard to race, color, religion, age, mental disability, physical disability, medical condition, gender, sexual orientation, genetic information, ancestry, marital status, national origin, veteran status, and other classifications protected by applicable state and local non-discrimination laws. Bar Harbor: The Jackson Laboratory's 43-acre scenic Bar Harbor campus is nestled between the Gulf of Maine and the mountains of Acadia National Park. Some of the best hiking and biking in the world (over 50 square miles of mountains, lakes, views, and dramatic coastline) is accessible from our campus. We are one mile from downtown Bar Harbor, which offers a vibrant downtown district with a plethora of restaurants, shops, museums, and galleries. Ellsworth: The Charles E. Hewett Center in Ellsworth, Maine, is a state-of-the-art facility that serves researchers world wide. The facility represents the culmination of nine decades of unmatched experience and leadership in breeding and caring for laboratory mice. Ellsworth, Maine, is one of Maine’s fastest growing cities. With a growth rate of nearly 20%, Ellsworth is a bustling year-round community and acts as a hub for surrounding towns. It is located nearby Acadia National Park and hosts numerous special events, concerts and festivals each year. Residents have access to fabulous shopping, recreation, museums, galleries, and dining at a variety of independent restaurants. Farmington: JAX Genomic Medicine is transforming medicine by improving patient care, lowering costs, and increasing life span and health span. JAX Genomic Medicine’s research focuses on the complex genetic causes of disease and on the development of genomic solutions tailored to each person's unique genetic makeup. JAX Genomic Medicine sits on a 17-acre site on the campus of the University of Connecticut Health Center. The 183,500-square-foot facility opened in the fall of 2014. Now, it houses over 300 biomedical researchers, technicians, and support staff in state-of-the-art computing facilities and laboratories. In Connecticut, JAX resides in the scenic town of Farmington, in the state’s capitol region. The Hartford region, which offers some of the best public schools in the country, is made up of both bigger cities and smaller, charming historic New England towns. JAX Genomic Medicine is also geographically located within 2 hours of Boston and New York and is close to multiple transportation systems, including bus lines, highways, railroads and international airports. Sacramento: The JAX® Mice, Clinical and Research Services facility is located in Sacramento, the state capital of California. Sacramento is less than a two-hour drive from San Francisco, Napa Valley, and scenic Lake Tahoe, and a short flight to both Los Angeles and Orange County. Sacramento is the birthplace of the nation’s Farm to Fork movement, and offers excellent restaurants, gastro-pubs, wineries, theaters, and museums. Outdoor activities are plentiful: Boating, white water rafting, and riding the scenic bicycle trails are popular. Housing and other costs of living are more affordable in Sacramento and its surrounding suburbs than in most other neighboring areas in the North Bay, making Sacramento one of the hottest housing markets in the country year after year. Augusta: JAX’s Maine Cancer Genomics Initiative (MCGI) is located in Augusta, Maine, in the Harold Alfond Center for Cancer Care (HACCC), at Maine General Hospital. It began operations in 2016 with three overarching goals: to provide cancer genomic testing for Maine cancer patients; to develop and deliver physician education about clinical genomic cancer diagnostics; and to build a network in Maine of oncology practices conducting studies in genomic medicine.