Advanced Microscopy Fellows Training Plan

The Advanced Microscopy Fellowship provides PhD-level scientists the opportunity to develop microscopy technical and teaching skills in a well-established core facility. While a “traditional” post-doc in a research lab may learn one or two imaging techniques using one or two types of specimens, our Fellows learn all major light microscopy modalities and gain experience imaging a wide range of specimens, from single molecules to whole organisms. Fellows participate in the daily operation of the core (e.g., training core users and maintaining microscopes), but (unlike typical core facility staff positions) are also encouraged to spend ~50% of their time on professional development and scholarly endeavors of their choice. The core Director Jennifer Waters, and Associate Directors Talley Lambert and Anna Jost, are dedicated to providing Fellows with the time and resources to develop the technical skills required to advise and train research scientists on performing rigorous imaging experiments, and to troubleshoot and maintain instruments at the highest level of performance. Fellowship positions are securely funded for 2 years through a generous gift from Nikon Instruments, Inc. and internal HMS funds, with the possibility of renewal for a 3rd year.

Advanced Microscopy Fellows are guided through the following training plan, designed to prepare them for a career in microscopy.

Months 1-6

Learn Core Operation & Procedures

  • Learn to operate all core microscopes comfortably and efficiently for basic applications

  • Learn the core organizational structure and tools

  • Learn to perform routine microscope maintenance

  • Observe core user trainings and consultations performed by core senior Fellows, Associate Directors and Director

Develop Technical Skills

  • Participate in core workshops as a student

  • Read suggested introductory microscopy literature (provided by Director)

  • Begin training core users on routine applications

  • Begin regularly presenting in our group journal club

  • Attend the first week of our Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory course “Quantitative Imaging: From Acquisition to Analysis” as a Teaching Assistant

Months 6-12

Develop Advanced Technical Skills

  • Study technical topics of interest

  • Increase participation in core user trainings on advanced techniques, with oversight from core senior Fellows, Associate Directors & Director

  • Research novel specimens and techniques encountered while working with core users

  • Develop equipment troubleshooting and repair skills, with assistance from core senior Fellows, Associate Directors & Director

Develop Teaching Skills

  • Participate in core workshops as a Laboratory Instructor

  • Develop and give a presentation on a technical topic of interest(s) for our weekly group meeting

Year 2

Refine Technical & Teaching Skills

  • Independently troubleshoot and repair equipment

  • Advise core users on experimental design, in areas of demonstrated expertise

  • Independently train core users on advanced techniques and applications

  • Develop and give technical lecture(s) in our core workshop or lecture series

  • Continue to read microscopy literature and present in our journal club

  • Attend the second week of our Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory course “Quantitative Imaging: From Acquisition to Analysis” as a Teaching Assistant

Independent Project

  • Develop and complete independent project of choice. Past Fellow projects have included:

    • Developing & implementing novel workshop course curriculum, including lectures and laboratory exercises
    • Building a custom microscope
    • Overseeing the installation and testing of new commercial instruments
    • Developing software for automated assessment of image quality

Increase Exposure & Professional Development

  • Publish a technical review or book chapter and/or present at a scientific meeting

  • Attend a scientific meeting

  • Contribute to writing a shared equipment grant application

  • Visit local examples of intended career path at Boston area core facilities and/or companies

  • Begin job search, submit applications & go on interviews