The Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Janelia Research Campus is a pioneering research center in Ashburn, Virginia, where scientists pursue fundamental questions in the life sciences. Our integrated teams of biologists, computational scientists, and tool-builders innovate research practices and technologies to solve biology’s deepest mysteries. HHMI launched Janelia in 2006, establishing an intellectually enriching environment for scientists to do creative, collaborative, hands-on work. We share our methods, results, and tools with the scientific community.

About the Role: 

The PTR-BioImage Analysis team within Project Technical Resources (PTR) is seeking three full-time technicians who want to engage in a variety of annotation and image analysis projects. This will include segmentation of 3D electron microscopy datasets or lightsheet images of expanded tissues, cell tracking in 4D light microscopy videos, and annotation of fish behavior. The combination of projects and emphasis may change over time, requiring agile adaptation to the specific requirements. Annotations will typically serve as ground truth for automated image processing pipelines that are being established in the context of AI@HHMI projects. Technicians will often be involved in at least two different projects. This job is ideal for somebody who likes to work with images and enjoys manual annotations/drawing; it is not suited for someone who wishes to develop computational pipelines.

Temp-to-hire applicants will be trained in all required techniques upon starting work. After training, technicians will work under supervision by the team’s manager and/or scientific project lead, collaborating with other team members, labs/project teams, and support groups. Please note: This is a 2-month temporary position with the potential to be extended or become permanent, dependent on successful training. Applicants with significant prior experience in relevant work may be considered for immediate HHMI employment. 

What We Provide: 

• Gain research experience in a collaborative and supportive research environment. 

• A diverse team looking forward to exploring how your unique background, talents, and interests could contribute to PTRs ability to support science at Janelia. 

What You'll Do: 

• Gain an in-depth knowledge of using commercial and custom annotation software 

• Good spatial visualization skills and hand-eye coordination.

• Collect relevant data from multidimensional images and videos 

• Review/correct automatically or manually generated annotations 

• Provide feedback about image quality and/or software performance 

• Provide feedback on annotation challenges and report biological observations 

• Perform computer automated analysis and quality control on large data sets 

• Perform preparative work for experiments or other routine lab chores as required 

What You Bring: 

• Bachelor Degree or Associate Degree with equivalent experience in biology, biomedical engineering, or computer science 

• Demonstrated proficiency with computers 

• Work experience in a team-oriented environment and skills to be a good team-player 

• Interest in engaging in ground-breaking research in a fast-paced and dynamic environment 

• Good organizational skills 

• Excellent interpersonal skills to communicate efficiently with collaborators 

Physical Requirements: 

Remaining in a normal seated or standing position for extended periods of time; reaching and grasping by extending hand(s) or arm(s); dexterity to manipulate objects with fingers, for example using a keyboard; communication skills using the spoken word; ability to see and hear within normal parameters; ability to move about workspace. The position requires mobility, including the ability to move materials weighing up to several pounds (such as a laptop computer or tablet). Work may involve possible exposure to malodorous vapors, low dose radiation, contamination by toxic chemicals and acids and presence of carcinogenic substances or other hazardous materials.

Good color vision, ability to visualize in 3D, ability to sit for several hours at a computer or microscope (with breaks), fine motor skills.

Persons with disabilities may be able to perform the essential duties of this position with reasonable accommodation. Requests for reasonable accommodation will be evaluated on an individual basis.

This job description sets forth the job’s principal duties, responsibilities, and requirements; it should not be construed as an exhaustive statement, however. Unless they begin with the word “may,” the Essential Duties and Responsibilities described above are “essential functions” of the job, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act. 

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Hiring Pay Range

Research Technician I (hourly): $18.31 - $22.88

Research Technician II (salary): $45,440.00 - $56,800.00

The posted range reflects HHMI’s good faith estimate of the anticipated hiring salary range for this role at the time of posting. Actual hiring compensation is determined by a candidate’s qualifications, experience, and internal equity.