A manipulator carrier device for use in combination with an electron microscope of the type comprising a vacuum specimen chamber, a sample stage within the vacuum specimen chamber, and an specimen exchange chamber, wherein the manipulator carrier device comprises: (i) a carrier plate, the carrier plate having (a) securing means, the securing means for detachably securing one or more manipulators to a top surface of the carrier plate, and (b) a sample holder mount configured for releasably coupling to a sample holder for carrying the sample such that the sample holder can be transferred together with the manipulator carrier device carrying the manipulators, (ii) a carrier base adapter, the carrier base adapter adapted for coupling the manipulator carrier device to the stage within the vacuum chamber of the electron microscope and including an engaging means for releasably connecting the carrier device to an insertion rod for transporting the carrier device from said specimen exchange chamber into said vacuum specimen chamber while keeping vacuum within the vacuum specimen chamber, and (iii) electrical connectors secured to the top surface of the carrier plate configured to mate with complementing electrical connectors located inside the vacuum specimen chamber for the electrical connection of the one or more manipulators to electronics and electrical components located inside and outside of the electron microscope, and wherein the carrier device is configured for transportation into the vacuum specimen chamber through the specimen exchange chamber of the electron microscope thereby keeping the vacuum within the vacuum specimen vacuum chamber; the device characterised in that the carrier plate is U-shaped and in that the sample holder mount is mounted inside the U. (i) a carrier plate, the carrier plate having (a) securing means, the securing means for detachably securing one or more manipulators to a top surface of the carrier plate, and (b) a sample holder mount configured for releasably coupling to a sample holder for carrying the sample such that the sample holder can be transferred together with the manipulator carrier device carrying the manipulators, (a) securing means, the securing means for detachably securing one or more manipulators to a top surface of the carrier plate, and (b) a sample holder mount configured for releasably coupling to a sample holder for carrying the sample such that the sample holder can be transferred together with the manipulator carrier device carrying the manipulators, (ii) a carrier base adapter, the carrier base adapter adapted for coupling the manipulator carrier device to the stage within the vacuum chamber of the electron microscope and including an engaging means for releasably connecting the carrier device to an insertion rod for transporting the carrier device from said specimen exchange chamber into said vacuum specimen chamber while keeping vacuum within the vacuum specimen chamber, and (iii) electrical connectors secured to the top surface of the carrier plate configured to mate with complementing electrical connectors located inside the vacuum specimen chamber for the electrical connection of the one or more manipulators to electronics and electrical components located inside and outside of the electron microscope, and wherein the carrier device is configured for transportation into the vacuum specimen chamber through the specimen exchange chamber of the electron microscope thereby keeping the vacuum within the vacuum specimen vacuum chamber; the device characterised in that the carrier plate is U-shaped and in that the sample holder mount is mounted inside the U.