Electron Microscopy Section Lead

Job Description

Job Description

Who we are: At Arkana Laboratories, everyone has an important role to fill. Come join us and be a part of a team dedicated to making life better for those who need it most.

This place is packed with super-smart people who do their best work together. We work hard every day to advance our understanding of disease and provide world-class care to our patients in hopes of leaving our corner of the world a little better than we found it. While we are committed to improving the lives of thousands of patients, we never lose sight of the realization that they are the reason we get to create change in our field.

Built on generosity, teamwork, and the freedom to try new things, we take great pride in our work. Great ideas come from everywhere in this company and we celebrate each success and failure for the opportunity it gives us to keep reaching. For more than twenty years after our founder, Dr. Patrick Walker, wrote his goals on the back of a napkin, our people, culture, and values have remained strong.

ABOUT THE POSITION

As the Electron Microscopy Section Lead, you'll keep Arkana's EM operation running at the standard our nephropathologists depend on: technically sound, same-day turnaround, and audit-ready every day. You'll own the section's results end-to-end while continuously redesigning how the section works so it gets faster, more consistent, and less dependent on any one person.

You'll be the section's subject-matter authority on TEM, able to diagnose an instrument anomaly, a non-conforming result, or a procedural gap and know which one it is. You'll set direction, coach technicians and aides toward independent competency, and build shift schedules and workload plans ahead of need so coverage gaps never drive a turnaround-time miss. You're comfortable applying lean and design-thinking approaches to workflows, questioning why a step exists and redesigning it rather than just documenting around it — and you bring genuine curiosity about automation and AI-assisted imaging tools, even if you're not an expert on day one.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

• Keep EM cases processed and results delivered same-day, consistent with Arkana's lab-wide turnaround standard, proactively documenting and communicating any exception.
• Validate, document, and implement new or revised EM methods, sample preparation procedures, and imaging protocols on a defined cadence with records ready for CAP, CLIA, and New York State review at any time.
• Own quality and compliance for the section: identify, investigate, and correct non-conforming results before any report leaves the section, and lead the section through CAP inspections and internal audits.
• Keep the TEM and supporting equipment in validated working order, staying ahead of preventive maintenance and troubleshooting proactively to minimize unplanned downtime.
• Train section technicians and aides to independent competency on all EM tasks within the standard onboarding window, with documented sign-off and a clear path to cross-training.
• Keep supply inventory, SOPs, and lab logs current and complete, so the section can be handed off or audited without notice and without gaps.
• Build shift schedules and workload plans proactively around case volume so every shift is staffed with trained, competent personnel.
• Re-examine section workflows on an ongoing basis using lean and design-thinking methods, implementing and documenting at least one measurable process improvement per year.
• Evaluate and pilot opportunities to automate manual EM steps or apply AI-assisted imaging and workflow tools, bringing forward a clear before/after case for adoption.
• Keep the section clean, organized, and safe to support efficiency, quality, and inspection readiness.

WHAT YOU'LL BRING

Education & Experience:

We're open to two paths into this role.

• Path A — 3–5 years of histology-specific laboratory experience, with Certified Technician (ASCP) status in one of the following: HT, HTL, CT, or MLT.
• Path B — strong hands-on transmission electron microscopy experience (research, academic, industrial, or clinical) combined with demonstrated staff management or supervisory experience. Histology-specific certification isn't required at hire for this path, but ASCP certification (or an equivalent laboratory credential) must be obtained within an agreed timeframe after start, and histology-specific training will be provided on the job.

Regulatory:

• Must meet and maintain personnel qualification requirements under CAP and CLIA, and hold or be eligible for New York State Department of Health Clinical Laboratory Evaluation Program (CLEP) certification, as Arkana tests specimens originating from New York.

Computer Skills:

• Proficient in MS Office and Excel; strong general computer skills required.

What we offer: We know that health is more than doctor visits and life is more than work. We work hard at Arkana but in turn provide competitive salaries and generous benefit offerings.

Specifically, we offer the following benefits to full-time employees:

• Competitive salary
• Generous paid time off and Paid Holidays
• Minimal cost health insurance for you and affordable options for your family
• 401(k) with immediate eligibility and match
• Company-paid life insurance
• Company-paid long term disability coverage
• Affordable vision and dental plans
• Flexible Spending Account or Health Savings Account availability
• Wellness plan and complimentary yoga classes
• Monthly in-office massages and employer-sponsored lunches

Please see Careers for further information.