Microscopy Imaging Core Director Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Emory University is a leading research university that fosters excellence and attracts world-class talent to innovate today and prepare leaders for the future. We welcome candidates who can contribute to the excellence of our academic community.

The Core Director is responsible for the overall day-to-day operation and management of the imaging core, ensuring efficient, reliable, and high-quality services for the research community. This includes oversight of core staff, daily core activities, instrumentation availability, user access, scheduling, and operational workflows to support a diverse range of imaging applications. The Core Director develops and manages the core's operating budget, including monitoring expenditures, forecasting future needs, and ensuring financial sustainability. In collaboration with institutional leadership, the Director establishes and reviews recharge rates for microscopes and image analysis workstations, balancing cost recovery with accessibility for investigators. Working closely with the Scientific Director, the Core Director contributes to strategic planning and long-term vision for the imaging core. This includes aligning core services with institutional research priorities, evaluating emerging imaging technologies, and planning for future instrumentation, staffing, and space needs to ensure the continued growth and competitiveness of the core.

KEY RESONSIBILITIES:

• In collaboration with the Scientific Director, develops the overall strategic scientific vision for the operations of a specific core with many users and high billings.
• Provides operational oversight for the core.
• Hires and supervises staff to ensure that scientific services provided by the core are of high quality and are delivered efficiently.
• Oversees the review and improvement of operational performance, including analyzing the facility operating metrics as well as policy development.
• Reports to the advisory committee on the activities of the core, including use, publications and grants, finances, and future needs (including equipment and staffing requests).
• Is accountable to key institutional leaders for the efficient and effective operations of the core.
• Developing an overall business plan for the core.
• Participates in the strategic planning of both services and equipment for the core facility. Creates, reviews, and updates short term and long-range plans, ensuring coordination between individual core plans and the core's scientific mission, as well as ensuring a match between core capabilities and Winship's strategic plan, where applicable.
• Develops a budget and conducts a resource analysis with assistance from the SOM Office of Research Administration team, SOM Business and Finance, Human Resources, and Winship administration.
• Develops a space planning process as it relates to the implementation of the overall plan in consultation with SOM Space and Facilities.
• Conducts benchmarking against peer institutions and corporate competitors, including comparing the core to peer institutions' resources through benchmarking studies and reviewing outsourcing opportunities, presenting recommendations and implementing decisions.
• Actively seeks opportunities for scientific advancement of the core. Identifies external funding opportunities and assists faculty members in obtaining external support for research infrastructure.
• Maintains an awareness of cutting-edge technologies, assesses the impact of developing technologies on current facility operations and present recommendations.
• Maintains informed of the use of the facility and is available to assist with planning experiments.
• Helps identify and select members of the Major User Group with input from the Core Oversight Committee.
• Proactively markets the core to the scientific community within and outside Emory. Performs related responsibilities as required.

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Core Operations & LeadershipProvide overall leadership and day-to-day management of the imaging core to ensure reliable operation, high-quality services, and responsiveness to investigator needs. Establish and oversee policies, workflows, and best practices to maintain efficiency, safety, and compliance across all core activities.
•  Staff Supervision & Professional DevelopmentRecruit, supervise, mentor, and evaluate core staff, including imaging scientists and technical personnel. Define roles and responsibilities, set performance expectations, and foster a collaborative, service-oriented environment. Support ongoing professional development through training, skill-building, and career advancement opportunities.
•  User Training & Scientific SupportOversee and contribute to the training of users in microscopy techniques, experimental design, and data acquisition best practices. Ensure consistent, high-quality instruction and consultation to promote effective and reproducible imaging experiments.
•  Strategic Planning & Program DevelopmentLead strategic planning for the imaging core, including evaluation of emerging technologies, expansion of services, and alignment with institutional research priorities. Develop long-term plans for instrumentation acquisition, upgrades, and space utilization to ensure the core remains scientifically competitive and sustainable.
•  Budget & Financial ManagementDevelop, manage, and monitor the core's operating budget, including cost recovery, recharge rates, invoicing, and financial forecasting, prepare institutional and NIH reports on core usage. Ensure responsible stewardship of resources and long-term fiscal sustainability of the core.
•  Service Contracts & Vendor RelationsNegotiate, manage, and oversee service and maintenance contracts for imaging instrumentation. Serve as the primary liaison with vendors to coordinate preventative maintenance, repairs, and upgrades, ensuring optimal instrument performance and minimal downtime.
•  Website ManagementMaintain and regularly update the imaging core website with accurate and current information regarding instrumentation, services, pricing, policies, training materials, and user resources.
•  Communications & OutreachDevelop and distribute a regular newsletter to communicate core updates, new technologies, training opportunities, policy changes, and user achievements. Promote core services through outreach activities, including courses and seminars, to strengthen engagement with the institutional research community.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• PhD or MD and four years of professional level experience in a technical or research lab. A master's degree and six years of professional level experience or a bachelor's degree and eight years of professional level experience may also be considered, OR a high school diploma/trade school certificate with twelve years of professional level experience in a technical or research lab.
• Detailed knowledge of the laboratory technique or equipment required to support core services.
• Internship experience or experience prior to attaining the qualifying degree is not considered eligible work experience for this job classification.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Minimum of five (5) years of hands-on microscopy experience, including operation and support of advanced light microscopy systems.
•  Demonstrated experience with image acquisition and image analysis, including quantitative analysis and data management.
•  Management or supervisory experience, including oversight of personnel, workflows, or shared research resources.
•  Experience working with budgets, including financial planning, cost recovery, rate setting, or monitoring expenditures.

NOTE: Position tasks are generally required to be performed in-person at an Emory University location.  Remote work from home day options may be granted at department discretion. Emory reserves the right to change remote work status with notice to employee.

Emory is an equal opportunity employer, and qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by state or federal law. Emory University does not discriminate in admissions, educational programs, or employment, including recruitment, hiring, promotions, transfers, discipline, terminations, wage and salary administration, benefits, and training. Students, faculty, and staff are assured of participation in university programs and in the use of facilities without such discrimination. Emory University complies with Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Vietnam Era Veteran's Readjustment Assistance Act, and applicable executive orders, federal and state regulations regarding nondiscrimination, equal opportunity, and affirmative action (for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities). Inquiries regarding this policy should be directed to the Emory University Department of Equity and Civil Rights Compliance, 201 Dowman Drive, Administration Building, Atlanta, GA 30322. Telephone: 404-727-9867 (V) | 404-712-2049 (TDD).

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