Microscopy facility job in Germany :)

The Heinrich Pette Institute – Leibniz Institute for Experimental Virology in Hamburg, Germany, is committed to research on the biology of different human viruses as well as the pathogenesis of viral diseases and offers the opportunity to perform cutting-edge research in a world-class research environment with excellent facilities.

The technology platform “Microscopy and Image Analysis” (TP MIA) is part of the department “Structural Cell Biology of Viruses” and the central imaging unit at the HPI. The TP offers state-of-the-art light and electron microscopy methods (LM and EM) and correlative techniques for HPI scientists and external cooperation partners. TP MIA serves also as Imaging center of the Leibniz Center Infection (LCI). The main tasks of the TP MIA are consulting, training and support of microscopy users as well as assistance in data analysis and quality assessment of the scientific knowledge gained from the data. To ensure efficient operation of the imaging equipment, appropriate technical support and maintenance of the TP instruments as well as of the microscopes in other departments is also provided. As a research-oriented unit, the TP MIA develops and adapts preparation and imaging techniques tailored to the scientific questions of the users. It is specialized in integrative methods and workflows for the correlation of multimodal images over a wide range of complexity.

The primary responsibility of the Head of light microscopy will be to ensure the day to day running of all light microscopes in the facility and associated workflows and furthermore the scientific support and training of the users in the various imaging systems. In addition, users have to be advised on the methodology best suited to their specific biological problem and supported in image data analysis. These duties should be performed in close cooperation and coordination with the head of electron microscopy within the TP MIA. Involvement in primary research projects and technology developments is desired.

We are searching for exceptional, highly motivated candidates holding a PhD degree in physics, biology or related disciplines with sound knowledge and experience in light microscopy techniques and their technical basics. Solid knowledge in image processing and data management are essential. Ideal is experience in programming and use of evaluation software. A good basic understanding of cell biology and experience in infection biology and correlative microscopy methods are desirable, as well as experience in running a light microscopy facility. Organizational talent, interpersonal skills, negotiation skills with industrial partners, fluent (oral and verbal) English language skills and a service-oriented attitude are prerequisites.

We offer the opportunity to perform and support cutting-edge research in an extremely stimulating work environment equipped with state-of-the-art technology. The position is offered for 2 years initially, with the possibility for extension and the option to become permanent. Payment (E13/E14, commensurate with experience) and social benefits will be in accordance with the regulations of the German TV-AVH (salary agreement for public service employees). The Heinrich-Pette-Institute is an international research institute with English being a main communication language. For further information please visit the website or contact Prof. Dr. Kay Gruenewald (kay.gruenewald@leibniz-hpi.de)

The Heinrich Pette Institute promotes professional equality. Handicapped applicants with equal qualifications will be given preferential treatment. We aim to increase the percentage of women in research, and therefore encourage female scientists to apply. Equally qualified candidates with disabilities will be considered preferentially. Please send your application by 31st May 2020. Please indicate your earliest possible starting date. Applications providing a motivating cover letter, a CV and the names of at least two referees in a single PDF should be sent via regular or electronic mail to: Heinrich Pette Institute, Leibniz Institute for Experimental Virology Personnel Department Martinistraße 52, 20251 Hamburg

e-mail: personalabteilung@leibniz-hpi.de

Neubias webinars on Youtube

Updates on the next events of the NEUBIAS Academy@Home Webinar series,

Newly confirmed events:

5 May: ilastik beyond pixel classification, by Anna Kreshuk and Dominik Kutra-

6 May: GPU-Accelerated Image Processing with CLIJ2, by Robert Haase

7 May: Interactive Bioimage Analysis with Python and Jupyter, by Guillaume Witz

Upcoming events open to registration:

LAST CHANCE TO REGISTER:

28 April: Introduction to nuclei segmentation with StarDist, by Martin Weigert et al

29 April: Quantitative Pathology and Bioimage Analysis: QuPath v0.2.0, By Pete Bankhead

30 April: Advanced Image Processing with MorphoLibJ, by David Legland

Two weeks after the opening of the Academy and of the registrations, Webinars and online courses have already attracted over 5,000 registrations!

The events are recorded and some are already available on the Youtube NEUBIAS Channel.

Furthermore, a thread will be opened in the image.sc Forum to report Q&As and to welcome further questions/comments for each event.

You’ll find more information here.

A microscopy-related job at EMBL Heidelberg with EuroBioImaging

Euro-BioImaging Bio-Hub at EMBL Heidelberg is looking for the Euro-BioImaging Industry Board (EBIB) Coordinator who will work in close collaboration with EBIB Chair and EBIB members located across Europe as well as with the Euro-BioImaging Hub Office.

The Euro-BioImaging Industry Board (EBIB) is currently comprised of thirteen different companies across the imaging field. In the EBIB, all companies work together as a single, professional entity, setting their own goals in order to proactively drive the interaction between the imaging industry on the one hand and European researchers, funders and the imaging facilities linked with the European research infrastructure, Euro-BioImaging on the other hand. In October 2019, the European Commission has officially established Euro-BioImaging – which provides life scientists with open access to a broad range of technologies and resources in biological and biomedical imaging – as a European Research Infrastructure Consortium (ERIC). The post holder will report to the Director Euro-BioImaging Bio-Hub at EMBL and the EBIB Chair. The responsibilities of the position include among others:

  • Proactively seeking opportunities for EBIB members to engage and collaborate with Euro-BioImaging Nodes, users and national networks;
  • Representing the EBIB at international events in a professional and politically astute manner;
  • Strategically prepare and operationally manage EBIB-driven meetings and workshops to understand the needs of the imaging community;
  • Coordinating “One Voice” activities to the political community at national and European level (European Commission, Brussels) in order to increase the imaging market;
  • Developing communication tools and activities to boost EBIB’s visibility in order to increase the number of industry members and strengthen EBIB’s presence in the scientific and political landscape;
  • Keep up-to-date with imaging-associated initiatives and provide EBIB with tailored insight into European research trends and culture changes;
  • Coordinating industry participation in Euro-BioImaging EU-wide training programs;

If you are interested please find here the complete job description and link for online submission of your application.

Please distribute also to your friends and colleagues, who might be interested in this job posting. Thank you!

Kind regards,

Antje Keppler, PhD

Interim Section Director

Euro-BioImaging Bio-Hub

Global BioImaging Coordinator

EMBL Meyerhofstr. 1, DE-69117 Heidelberg Tel. +49 6221 387 8847

Don’t just sit on your bum!

In these strange Coronavirus time, one tends to sit at home in front of one’s computer. Following the Corona pandemics, it is not hard to predict a back ache pandemic!

I have been using Workrave for years and it has cured by shoulder ache! 🙂 Workrave is a freeware that can be downloaded from here.

Basically it locks your keyboard and mouse at the interval of time you decide and for how long as you decide. You can even set a maximum work time per day, a longer interruption for lunch or follow some simple stretching programs during the interruption.

I have simply set mine to lock my computer for 2 min every 30 min. Works a charm. 🙂

Neubias online school of image analysis

Neubias is back with new ideas! Neubias is the Network of European Bioimage Analysts and what they burn for is to help scientists analyze their images.

Possibly inspired by the Corona time, they will start an online school for image analysis based on video tutorials and online events.

Have a look at their new page called Neubias academy where they announce several events coming up in the next few months.

A rare microscopy job in Stockholm

Dear all

If you like intravital microscopy and are looking for a job in Stockholm, check out this job ad at Stockholm University!

 

If you know anyone who is big in imaging and deserve the Lennart Nilsson Award have a look below!

Invitation to nominate candidates for the Lennart Nilsson Award 2020

Karolinska Institutet hereby invites nominations for the Lennart Nilsson Award 2020.

The Lennart Nilsson foundation was established in 1998 in order to bestow an award in recognition of the world-renowned Swedish photographer Lennart Nilsson and his extraordinary body of work. Its main aim is to promote education, training and research within the medical, biological and engineering sciences through the use of images.

This is achieved through the Lennart Nilsson Award, an international award bestowed annually upon an individual in recognition of outstanding contributions within the realm of scientific photography.

The nominees should fulfil the following criteria:

  • Work in the spirit of Lennart Nilsson
  • Make the invisible visible
  • Reveal sciences to the world in beautiful, unique and powerful ways
  • Visualize a scientific breakthrough
  • Image reality in a surprising way

You are invited to nominate candidates to the Lennart Nilsson Award. Candidates should be active mainly in the Life Sciences and use pictorial representation as an explanatory medium. Users of animation technology are also eligible. The enclosed nomination form should be filled out and sent in together with the candidate’s CV, bibliography, articles, technical descriptions and pictorial material. Up to three letters with references and comments from experts may be included. Please attach the material as one PDF-file if possible and send to fonder@ki.se no later than Tuesday April 28, 2020. If you need to submit a larger file, you can send an e-mail to us for assistance.

The awarded amount is SEK 100 000 and the prize ceremony will take place in connection with the installation ceremony for new professors at Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden October 15th.

More information about the Award can be found on  http://ki.se/en/about/the-lennart-nilsson-award

For further questions please contact fonder@ki.se

 

 

One-step non-toxic clearing protocol

Do you know that clearing is not just about light sheet microscopy? Even if you have done your job well and your sample is directly on the coverslip (not on the slide), as soon as your sample is thicker than 10 um (1 cell diameter), you will see the effect of the refraction index mismatch.

What is that? Your sample and the mounting medium around it have a certain refraction index (or likely several). The objective you are using is designed for a certain refraction index (e.g. air, water or oil). If these refraction indices do not match what happens? as soon as you image a tiny bit away from the coverslip, the sample will look elongated, the intensity and contrast will drop very fast.

Sounds familiar? If yes, changing your mounting medium to match the objective will solve the problem. It works for light sheet but it also works for wide field or confocal imaging! Just change your mounting medium and you will see an enormous difference!

Here is an article describing a one-step clearing protocol. This basically is about using a different mounting medium. Easy, cheap and non-toxic! Give it a try!

Have a look at this post for more info.

Broadcasted lectures from the LCI microscopy course and private demos of light sheet and cameras

Our course starts tomorrow! 😀

Target audience:

The aim for this course is to improve the microscopy skills of students and researchers who have already used a microscope to acquire digital images of fluorescent samples and want to improve their skills.

Registrations are closed but all lectures are open to everyone without registration.

  • The schedule and details of the venue are here.
  • All lectures are also available online live. The link and instructions to watch are here.
  • Make sure you check the schedule in case of last minutes changes.

If you are in Sweden, you are welcome to try some of the equipment on demo with your own sample.

To book at timeslot, please contact the responsible person directly.

  • Light sheet microscope from M2Lasers: Valentina Loschiavo Valentina.Loschiavo(at)m2lasers.com
    • Fast imaging of large sample
    • Overview function to navigate in the sample and find the region of interest
    • 800x800um field of view with 1um min resolution
    • Any immersion media
    • Sample size up to centimetres
  • Wide Field microscope from Nikon with 3 different Andor cameras: Oliver Garner (oliver.garner(at)bergmanlabora.se)
    • Nikon Ti2 microscope with 4 times larger field of view
    • A front illuminated sCMOS camera: Good sensitivity and resolution, great speed, but a greyish background (Andor Zyla 4.2)
    • A back-illuminated EM-CCD camera: highly sensitive camera with very dark background, but lower resolution and lower speed (Andor 897U)
    • A back-illuminated sCMOS camera: same sensitivity and low background as an EM-CCD but better resolution and speed (Andor Sona)

The antibody validation nightmare

Ever wondered if that antibody you used throughout your whole PhD was actually also binding to something else than its supposed target protein?

Antibody validation in tissue staining is a very difficult task!

Here is a great step-by-step validation protocol published by EuroMabNet, a network of scientists who try to improve antibody validation.

And this paper gives a useful flow chart for antibody validation.

And here is the 5 pillars of antibody validation paper which explains what can be done to validate antibodies.

 

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