Director, Sample Preparation and Spatial Technologies Facility, Biotechnology Resource Center (BRC)

researchers in the life sciences can access specialized instrumentation, reagents, protocols, and scientific expertise needed to prepare biological samples for advanced analysis. A central goal is to enable researchers who may not have the necessary expertise, infrastructure, or instrumentation within their own labs to adopt new experimental approaches through hands-on access, consultation, and training from BRC scientific staff. The facility will serve as a "front door" to the BRC, helping researchers design and implement sample preparation workflows that connect seamlessly with downstream analytical capabilities across BRC core facilities, including genomics and epigenomics, proteomics and metabolomics, imaging, flow cytometry, and bioinformatics. Supported activities will encompass a broad range of sample preparation workflows as well as emerging and technically complex approaches that span multiple core facilities, including single-cell and spatial omics technologies. By bridging individual research laboratories with the BRC's analytical cores, the facility will lower barriers to adopting sophisticated experimental methods, promote standardized and reproducible workflows, and accelerate discovery across the life sciences. The mission of the facility is to Share technical expertise and provide broad access to specialized equipment, reagents, protocols, and other resources, while promoting efficient use and maintenance of shared instrumentation. Lower barriers to adoption of innovative technologies by making sophisticated experimental workflows accessible to investigators across agriculture, veterinary medicine, engineering, and the biological and biomedical sciences. Facilitate integrated experimental workflows that connect sample preparation with analytical capabilities across multiple BRC core facilities. Create a vibrant, collaborative environment for the development, optimization, evaluation, and adoption of innovative technologies. The Director will provide leadership, management, and strategic vision for the facility. In addition to overseeing wet laboratory spaces and facility operations, the Director will actively support research through consultation, training, technology development, and collaboration with faculty, staff, and trainees. The Director may participate in collaborative research projects and extramural proposals as PI, co-PI, or co-investigator, as appropriate. The Director will work closely with researchers and units across multiple colleges to understand evolving community needs, develop new capabilities, and build a strong and diverse user community. The Director will work closely with the BRC Director, the facility advisory board, and directors of other BRC core facilities to coordinate services, develop integrated workflows, and contribute to strategic planning across the BRC. Characteristic Duties and Responsibilities: Provide scientific and operational leadership for the Sample Preparation and Spatial Technologies Facility and supervise facility personnel. Oversee shared laboratory spaces and ensure safe, efficient, and effective operation of facility instrumentation and resources. Provide consultation to researchers on experimental design, sample preparation strategies, selection of appropriate technologies, and integration with downstream BRC analytical services. Develop and provide introductory and advanced hands-on training for users in sample preparation workflows, specialized instrumentation, and shared laboratory practices. Work collaboratively with other BRC core directors and staff to develop workflows that span multiple technologies and core facilities, including single-cell and spatial applications. Manage cost recovery operations, including development of service and access rates, oversight of facility budget, and forecasting of facility usage and resource needs. Assess emerging technologies and community needs and identify opportunities for acquisition or development of new capabilities in coordination with facility stakeholders. Lead or collaborate on instrumentation and research proposals, including NIH S10 and other shared instrumentation applications, as PI or co-PI where appropriate. Prepare and present operating, scientific, and strategic reports to facility faculty advisory board and BRC leadership. Promote facility capabilities and build the user community through engagement with Cornell and external researchers and coordination with BRC training, consultation, outreach, and communications activities. Maintain and develop a portfolio of instrumentation, technologies, protocols, reagents, and associated software responsive to evolving research needs. Promote rigorous, reproducible, and safe laboratory practices across facility-supported workflows. Required Qualifications: Ph.D. in biology, chemistry, biochemistry, molecular biology, biomedical engineering, or related life sciences discipline and recognized stature in their field. Knowledge of life sciences laboratory operations, including laboratory organization, instrumentation, safety, and best practices for shared research environments. Significant experience with molecular biology and genomics workflows, including DNA and RNA extraction, PCR, sequencing library preparation, nucleotide sequencing, epigenomic and chromatin profiling assays, or related areas. Direct experience operating next-generation sequencing platforms, including library pooling, sequencing recipe design, and library quality control. Experience with one or more additional areas relevant to the facility, such as protein or proteomic sample preparation, flow cytometry, imaging, single-cell methods, spatial biology, cell and tissue processing, preparation of diverse sample types (e.g., frozen mammalian tissues, cell lines, plants, yeast, and bacteria), or other advanced biological technologies. Demonstrated ability to learn, evaluate, optimize, and implement new experimental technologies and workflows. Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with a broad range of researchers, including faculty, postdoctoral researchers, graduate students, and others, to provide scientific consultation and training. Demonstrated understanding of research core or shared resource facility operations. Strong commitment to the mission of shared research facilities and to enabling research across diverse scientific disciplines. Supervisory and operational management experience, including training and mentoring technical staff, students, and trainees. Preferred Qualifications: Experience establishing, optimizing, and delivering full-service assays in a core facility setting, including protocol optimization, quality control, and technical staff training. Experience with multi-omic assays and with custom library sequencing services. Active engagement with the shared resource facility community (e.g., Association of Biomolecular Resource Facilities), including leading working groups or contributing to technical guidelines and best practices. Teaching and outreach experience at the undergraduate, graduate, or professional level, including laboratory instruction, curriculum development, and mentoring of student researchers. Experience preparing grant and equipment proposals to support laboratory instrumentation and research infrastructure. Record of peer-reviewed publications in molecular biology, genomics, or related fields, including published methods or protocols. Experience presenting technical and scientific results at national and regional meetings. The initial appointment is a 3-year term renewable contingent upon continued funding and successful performance. This is an Endowed position. Hiring Range for this Position: $112,000 - $116,000 The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined considering the following criteria: Prior relevant work or industry experience. Education level to the extent education is relevant to the position. Academic Discipline Unique applicable skills. Institute of Biotechnology staff enjoy working in a collaborative and innovative organization within Cornell University, an award-winning employer recognized for supporting employee health, workplace diversity, work-life fit, and environmental sustainability. Cornell University offers competitive compensation and benefits. The Institute is located on the main Ithaca campus, in the heart of the Finger Lakes of central New York State. Ithaca and the surrounding area is noted for high quality of living surrounded by natural beauty and a vibrant community. Position needed to start as soon as possible. Applications should be submitted by November 2, 2026 . For full consideration, qualified applicants should submit: 1) Cover letter summarizing background, qualifications, and interest in the position 2) Curriculum Vitae 3) Names and contact information for three references Pay Range: Refer to Posting Language Pay Ranges: The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined considering the following criteria: Prior relevant work or industry experience. Education level to the extent education is relevant to the position. Academic Discipline Unique applicable skills. 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