Macromolecular X-ray Crystallography Facility Manager (Research Associate; 50%25)

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

Why Join Us:

Our department conducts research across a wide biological scale for fundamental scientific understanding with applications to many disease contexts. The overarching goal is to reach a level of molecular insight that helps develop therapeutic approaches to disease.

As biochemists and molecular geneticists, we are amid an unprecedented time of discovery - our conception of the molecular biology of cells is going from the equivalent of grainy black-and-white to high-resolution technicolor. From deciphering the choreography of transcription complexes, chromosomes, and RNA molecules within cells to developing novel approaches to 3D molecular structure determination to understanding how viruses hijack a cell’s machinery and alter its metabolome, the researchers in Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics (BMG) are at the forefront of their fields, conceptually and technologically.

Why work for the University?

We have AMAZING benefits and offer exceptional amounts of holiday, vacation and sick leave! The University of Colorado offers an excellent benefits package including:

• Medical: Multiple plan options
• Dental: Multiple plan options
• Additional Insurance: Disability, Life, Vision
• Retirement 401(a) Plan: Employer contributes 10%25 of your gross pay
• Paid Time Off: Accruals over the year (based on percentage of time)
• Vacation Days: 22/year (maximum accrual 352 hours)
• Sick Days: 15/year (unlimited maximum accrual)
• Holiday Days: 11/year
• Tuition Benefit: Employees have access to this benefit on all CU campuses
• ECO Pass: Reduced rate RTD Bus and light rail service

There are many additional perks & programs with the CU Advantage.

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications:

Applicants must meet minimum qualifications at the time of hire.

• PhD in Structural Biology, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Physics, or a closely related field
• Demonstrated hands-on experience in macromolecular X-ray crystallography, including crystallization, data collection, and data processing

Preferred Qualifications:

• Advanced experience with macromolecular X-ray crystallography instrumentation, including diffraction systems, detectors, cryogenic equipment, and crystallization robotics
• Experience supporting or working in a shared core facility environment, including user training, scheduling, or instrumentation coordination
• Proficiency with computational tools for data analysis and management in a structural biology setting (e.g., Linux-based systems, data processing pipelines)

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of X-ray crystallography techniques, and use of highly specialized equipment

• Ability to interact well with faculty, students, postdoctoral fellows, and staff.

• Excellent organizational skills

• Ability to operate, maintain, and support shared scientific instrumentation in a research or core facility environment, including training and supporting multiple users

How to Apply:

For full consideration, please submit the following document(s):

1.    A letter of interest describing relevant job experiences as they relate to listed job qualifications and interest in the position

2.    Curriculum vitae / Resume

3.    Five professional references including name, address, phone number (mobile number if appropriate), and email address

Applications are accepted electronically ONLY at www.cu.edu/cu-careers.

Questions should be directed to: Mair Churchill, mair.churchill@cuanschutz.edu

Screening of Applications Begins:

Applications will be accepted until finalists are identified, but preference will be given to complete applications received by March 23, 2026. Those who do not apply by this date may or may not be considered.

Anticipated Pay Range:

The starting salary range (or hiring range) for this position has been established as HIRING RANGE:

$40,000 to $50,000 based on 0.5 FTE

The above salary range (or hiring range) represents the University’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting. This position is not eligible for overtime compensation unless it is non-exempt.

Your total compensation goes beyond the number on your paycheck. The University of Colorado provides generous leave, health plans and retirement contributions that add to your bottom line.

Total Compensation Calculator: http://www.cu.edu/node/153125

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

The University of Colorado (CU) is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

ADA Statement:

The University will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities throughout the employment application process. To request an accommodation pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, please contact the Human Resources ADA Coordinator at hr.adacoordinator@ucdenver.edu​.

Background Check Statement:

The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus is dedicated to ensuring a safe and secure environment for our faculty, staff, students and visitors. To assist in achieving that goal, we conduct background investigations for all prospective employees.

Vaccination Statement:

CU Anschutz strongly encourages vaccination against the COVID-19 virus and other vaccine preventable diseases. If you work, visit, or volunteer in healthcare facilities or clinics operated by our affiliated hospital or clinical partners or by CU Anschutz, you will be required to comply with the vaccination and medical surveillance policies of the facilities or clinics where you work, visit, or volunteer, respectively. In addition, if you work in certain research areas or perform certain safety sensitive job duties, you must enroll in the occupational health medical surveillance program.