Facility Access & User Responsibilities
The Facility for Electron Microscopy Research (FEMR) operates shared, state‑of‑the‑art instrumentation within the Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences to support and advance scientific research across a broad range of disciplines. Our infrastructure serves researchers in the life and biomedical sciences, environmental sciences, materials science and engineering, and the physical sciences.
FEMR is open to all investigators conducting non‑classified research, including those from ºÚÁÏÍø±¬³Ô¹Ï and external academic, government, and industry institutions.
User Fees
User fees apply to all individuals accessing FEMR instrumentation or services. These fees help offset the substantial costs associated with maintaining advanced scientific equipment, ensuring high‑quality performance, and providing expert technical support.
Publication & Authorship Policy
The Facility for Electron Microscopy Research (FEMR) provides electron microscopy services on a fee‑for‑service basis. While FEMR staff are responsible for instrument operation, basic processing, and routine microscopy workflows, the interpretation of all resulting data remains the responsibility of the submitting investigator.
To recognize the role of the facility and its staff in supporting your research, the following guidelines apply:
Acknowledgement
Users must acknowledge the FEMR in any publications, presentations, theses, or reports that include data acquired using FEMR instruments or services. Proper acknowledgement helps demonstrate the value of shared research infrastructure and supports future funding.
Authorship
Co‑authorship should be offered when FEMR staff contribute substantial scientific or intellectual input beyond routine operation. Examples include, but are not limited to:
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Developing or optimizing experimental workflows
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Providing significant data interpretation or analysis
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Designing or troubleshooting complex experiments
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Contributing to figure preparation or manuscript writing
In such cases, authorship is appropriate and should follow standard scholarly guidelines (e.g., ICMJE, CRediT taxonomy).
Policies for Using FEMR Research Infrastructure
To ensure a safe, fair, and efficient environment for all users, the Facility for Electron Microscopy Research (FEMR) requires that all researchers follow the policies outlined below. These guidelines help protect sensitive instrumentation, maintain high‑quality research standards, and support a respectful shared‑space culture.
Training and Authorization
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All researchers must receive formal training from FEMR staff before operating any instrument, unless otherwise indicated for specific equipment.
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Unauthorized operation of any instrument is strictly prohibited.
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Users may not train others, grant access, or allow untrained individuals to operate FEMR equipment under any circumstances.
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FEMR staff reserve the right to restrict or revoke access if safety or operational guidelines are not followed.
User Accounts and Reservations
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User accounts are strictly individual. Sharing usernames, passwords, or login credentials is not permitted.
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Users must reserve and enable instruments themselves; reservations or activations cannot be made on behalf of another person.
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Only the individual listed on the reservation may operate the instrument during that session.
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Users are expected to manage their bookings responsibly and cancel reservations they no longer need.
Conduct in Shared Research Spaces
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Do not move, disturb, or modify another researcher’s samples, grids, holders, or experimental setups without explicit permission from FEMR staff or the sample owner.
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If you encounter unattended samples or equipment, notify FEMR staff immediately so they can be handled appropriately.
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Respect shared spaces, maintain a professional environment, and follow all posted safety and operational guidelines.
Cleanliness and Sample Removal
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Users are responsible for removing all samples, grids, and materials at the end of their session unless instructed otherwise.
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Work areas—including benches, microscopes, preparation stations, and computer workstations—must be left clean, organized, and free of debris.
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The expectation is simple: leave the space as clean as—or cleaner than—when you arrived.
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Failure to maintain cleanliness may result in additional charges or suspension of access.