Research Technical Specialist for microCT (walk-in hutch) (ref.no. STARC_RTS_19_06)

The Cyprus Institute (CyI) is a non-profit research and educational institution with a strong scientific and technological orientation, emphasizing international collaborations, cross-disciplinary research and postgraduate education. CyI, through its established research centers, addresses challenging issues that are important at both regional and international levels. Many of its research activities are carried out in partnership with leading institutions in the respective thematic areas.

The selected Research Technical Specialist (RTS) with expertise in microCT infrastructure and imaging will initially contribute to the development and implementation of the Research Promotion Foundation (RPF) funded BioMERA microCT Facility and will eventually be responsible for the operation of the BioMERA microCT Facility at the Cyprus Institute.

The Project

The BioMERA (Platform for Biosciences and Human Health in Cyprus: MicroCT Enabled and Synchrotron Radiation Enabled Analyses) – project will create a new distinct research unit (platform) focused on biosciences and human health, both ancient and modern, with the acquisition of a custom-built, state-of-the-art, walk-in hutch micro computed tomography (microCT) facility – a research infrastructure not yet available in Cyprus or the wider region. The BioMERA microCT facility will be designed and constructed at the Cyprus Institute in collaboration with the Elettra Synchrotron partner in the BioMERA project. In addition to the cutting edge, laboratory source microCT imaging at micrometre scales, and other multimodal data acquisition, on both modern and ancient human tissue and remains, pharmaceutical compounds and products, and laboratory animals, critical in human health research, the microCT will open doors for Cypriot, regional, and international researchers and research groups to access multi-national cutting-edge research facilities, synchrotrons, allowing even higher resolution studies, and research requiring phase contrast.

The appointment will be on a full time basis, initially for a fixed-term period of four years, with the potential of renewal depending on performance and availability of funds.

Responsibilities

The successful candidate will be carrying out the following activities:

• Coordination and implementation of the construction, installation, and commissioning of the customized, state-of-the-art, walk-in hutch microCT facility at the Cyprus Institute, designed and executed with the leadership of Elettra Synchrotron partners within the BioMERA consortium
• Coordination and implementation of the design and construction of the space to house the BioMERA microCT Facility at the Cyprus Institute, in collaboration with the Elettra Synchrotron partners within the BioMERA consortium, and under the direct supervision of the Coordinator
• Responsible for the daily running of the BioMERA microCT Facility, including data acquisition, reconstruction, and analysis within BioMERA, in collaboration with other host organisation staff, and its integration with other multimodal data acquisition instrumentation within the BioMERA platform, under the direct supervision of the Coordinator
• Responsible for the health and safety procedures regarding the microCT facility and sample preparation; Writing risk assessments and other relevant Health and Safety documents, under the direct supervision of the Coordinator
• Supporting the BioMERA Coordinator in the coordination, implementation and dissemination activities of the project
• Provision and monitoring of the content of the BioMERA project website