Optical Engineer - Advanced Light Sheet Microscopy

The Chan Zuckerberg Biohub San Francisco (CZ Biohub SF) (https://www.czbiohub.org/sf/) is an independent nonprofit research institute that brings together three powerhouse universities - Stanford, UC Berkeley, and UC San Francisco - into a single collaborative technology and discovery engine. CZ Biohub SF itself supports some of the brightest, boldest engineers, data scientists, and biomedical researchers to investigate the fundamental mechanisms underlying disease and develop new technologies that will lead to actionable diagnostics and effective therapies. We are guided by our values of scholarly excellence; disruptive innovation; hands-on engineering/hacking/building; partnership and collaboration; open communication and respect; inclusiveness; and opportunity for all.

Our Vision

• We pursue large scientific challenges that cannot be pursued in conventional environments
• We enable individual investigators to pursue their riskiest and most innovative ideas
• The technologies developed at CZ Biohub San Francisco facilitate research by scientists and clinicians at our home institutions and beyond

Diversity of thought, ideas, and perspectives are at the heart of CZ Biohub Network and enable disruptive innovation and scholarly excellence. We are committed to cultivating an inclusive organization where all colleagues feel inspired and know their work makes an important contribution.

The Opportunity

The Royer Group, a lab led by Loic Royer at the Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, is a multidisciplinary team of computer scientists, optical engineers, and biologists, fascinated by a simple but incredibly complex question: How do organisms develop from a single cell into a fully functional body with billions of self-organizing cells that form tissues and have different functions? Our bet is that solving this question will require expertise across Computer Science, Microscopy, and Biology. We aim to build a Time-Resolved Multi-Dimensional and Multi-Modal Atlas of Vertebrate Development using Zebrafish as a model organism. To attain this goal, we design and build novel state-of-the-art light-sheet microscopes, as well as conceive deep-learning-based image processing and analysis algorithms. The team has recently pushed the limits of light-sheet microscopy by designing a high-resolution, large field of view and fast single objective light-sheet microscope. 

You will

• Assemble and build advanced optical microscopes from off-the-shelf or custom-designed optical/mechanical/electrical components
• In collaboration with application engineers and scientists, automate instrument control and data acquisition pipeline
• Conduct proof-of-principle imaging experiments to evaluate microscope performance
• Maintain, troubleshoot and optimize the performance of existing microscopes in the lab
• Maintain an accurate documentation of microscope hardware designs and standard operating procedures
• Train users to operate the microscope, and collaborate with biologist in conducting live imaging experiments
  

You have

Essential –

• Bachelor's or Master’s degree in Optical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Applied Physics, and/or related field
• Minimum of 1 year hands-on experience in building and aligning optical imaging/microscopy system
• Solid understanding of geometric optics, physical optics, Fourier optics and imaging theory
• Proficient in common optical/electrical test and measurement tools
• Experience with CAD design software (eg., Solidworks, Onshape)
• Proficient in using Python for data/image analysis and instrumentation control
• Willing to learning new methods, protocols and technologies
• Collaborative spirits and teamwork skills
  

Nice to have -

• Hands-on experience in fluorescence microscopy (ideally light-sheet microscopy)
• Experience with live imaging of cells, organisms, or small animals
• Experience with optical design and simulation software (eg. Zemax, Code V)
• Experience with electronics and PCB design
• Co-authorship in preprints or peer-reviewed publications
  

The Chan Zuckerberg Biohub Network requires all employees, regardless of work location or type of role, to provide proof of their initial COVID-19 vaccination by their start date. Those who are unable to get vaccinated because of a disability, or who choose not to be vaccinated due to a sincerely held religious belief, practice, or observance must have an approved exception prior to their start date.

Compensation

• Engineer I = $92,000 - $126,500
• Engineer II = $108,000 - $135,000

New hires are typically hired into the lower portion of the range, enabling employee growth in the range over time. To determine starting pay, we consider multiple job-related factors including a candidate’s skills, education and experience, market demand, business needs, and internal parity. We may also adjust this range in the future based on market data. Your recruiter can share more about the specific pay range during the hiring process.

What We Provide

• Resources to disrupt and innovate at the frontiers of our knowledge of biology and disease
• A collegial and collaborative environment consisting of diverse expertise
• Existing collaborations within CZ Biohub: Technology Platforms (Bioengineering, Computational Microscopy, Data Science, Genomic Sequencing, Mass Spectrometry/Proteomics), and Research Group Leaders
• Access to collaborators, resources and facilities at our three partner universities (Stanford, UC Berkeley, and UC San Francisco) and at partner organizations in the Bay Area and beyond
• Competitive compensation and benefits commensurate with experience

Benefits

We offer a robust benefits program that enables the important work Biohubbers do everyday. Our benefits include healthcare coverage, life and disability insurance, commuter subsidies, family planning services with fertility care, childcare stipend, 401(k) match, flexible time off and a generous parental leave policy. In addition, we honor our commitment to career development and our value of scholarly excellence through regular onsite opportunities to learn from the world's leading scientists.

The CZ Biohub Network is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity of thought, ideas and perspectives. We are committed to cultivating an inclusive organization where all Biohubbers feel inspired and know their work makes an important contribution. Therefore, we provide employment opportunities without regard to age, race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, disability, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law.

Pursuant to the California Fair Chance Act, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Headhunters and recruitment agencies may not submit resumes/CVs through this website or directly to managers. The CZ Biohub Network does not accept unsolicited headhunter and agency resumes. The CZ Biohub Network will not pay fees to any third-party agency or company that does not have a signed agreement with the CZ Biohub Network.