University of Colorado Anschutz
Department: Biochemistry & Molecular Genetics

Job Title: Macromolecular X-ray Crystallography Facility Manager (Research Associate; 50%)

Position #: 00844923 – Requisition #:38912

Job Summary:

A part-time (0.5 FTE) Research Associate position is available for a Facility Manager in the Macromolecular X-ray Crystallography Core Facility within the Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Genetics at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus. The X-ray facility is jointly operated by the School of Medicine Structural Biology and Biophysics Core Facilities and the University of Colorado Cancer Center, and serves a broad community of biomedical researchers across campus. 

The Facility Manager will be responsible for the scientific, technical, and operational oversight of the X-ray Crystallography Core Facility. This role combines hands-on expertise in biomolecular crystallography with responsibility for day-to-day facility operations, including instrument functionality, user support, scheduling, data management, and billing. The position focuses on enabling high-quality structural biology research by supporting crystallization, data collection, data processing, and structure determination efforts for funded research projects. 

The successful candidate will work closely with faculty, trainees, and research staff to facilitate effective use of the facility, provide training and scientific guidance, and ensure reliable and safe operation of specialized instrumentation. The Facility Manager will report to and receive guidance from Prof. Mair Churchill, Director of the X-ray facility, and may also interact with and help facilitate activities within related structural biology core facilities, including cryo-electron microscopy and NMR. Experienced crystallographers and individuals with backgrounds in structural biology, chemistry, or physics are encouraged to apply. 

Examples of Work Performed: 

• Manage and operate the Macromolecular X-ray Crystallography Core Facility, including day-to-day oversight of X-ray diffraction instrumentation, crystallization robotics, and ancillary equipment to ensure safe, reliable, and efficient facility operations
• Provide hands-on scientific expertise in biomolecular crystallography, including crystallization, crystal screening, X-ray data collection, data processing, structure determination, and model building in support of funded biomedical research projects
• Maintain and coordinate instrumentation and service needs, including routine instrument care, coordination with service engineers, and management of service contracts for highly specialized X-ray and crystallization equipment
• Train, supervise, and support facility users, including onboarding and instruction in the safe and effective use of X-ray diffraction and crystallization robotics, and providing scientific guidance on experimental design and data interpretation
• Manage facility data, computing, and administrative operations, including data storage and backup, basic computer systems administration (LINUX-based systems), maintenance of user records, scheduling, and chargeback/billing processes
• Contribute to the broader structural biology research environment, including assisting with reports and grant applications, facilitating collaborations, and interacting with related core facilities such as cryo-EM and NMR

Work Location:

Onsite – this role is expected to work onsite and is located in Aurora, CO

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