Princeton University - Princeton, NJ
posted 20 days ago
Full-time - Entry Level
Princeton, NJ
Educational Services
About the position
The Professional Specialist- Instrumentation Engineer position at Princeton University involves building advanced scientific instrumentation to support the NIH BRAIN CONNECTS project, which aims to create comprehensive wiring diagrams of mammalian brains. The role focuses on constructing and testing a custom ion beam milling apparatus integrated with a multibeam scanning electron microscope to collect extensive image data from mouse brains, contributing to groundbreaking neuroscience research.
Responsibilities
- Contribute to the assembly of an IBEAM apparatus, including procurement of commercial components and working with machinists for custom components.
- Integrate components like vacuum chambers, electron and ion guns, and sample transfer robots into a working system.
- Optimize the MultiSEM for robustness and high-speed acquisition, collaborating with an interdisciplinary team and Zeiss engineers.
- Conduct comprehensive evaluations of IBEAM-mSEM performance and troubleshoot technical challenges to enhance instrumentation performance.
- Contribute to data collection for test samples and the mouse hippocampal formation, managing large volume datasets.
Requirements
- PhD degree in Physics, Applied Physics, Electrical Engineering, or closely related field.
- Proficiency in mechanical design, CAD software, computer interfacing, electronics, and vacuum systems.
- Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot and evaluate instrument performance.
- Strong organizational skills with the ability to procure parts efficiently.
- Strong problem-solving skills with a keen eye for technical details.
- Excellent collaboration and communication skills.
Nice-to-haves
- Experience with LabVIEW or other software for measurement and control.
- Experience in Electron microscopy and Light microscopy.
- Prior experience in laboratory or project management.
- Experience in Robotics.
Benefits
- Full-time position with the possibility of renewal based on performance.
- Opportunity to work on a transformative neuroscience project.
- Collaboration with leading researchers in the field.
