The Role

We are currently seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate to join our dynamic laboratory at the Rosalind Franklin Institute. If you are a creative scientist that want to explore novel venues on quantitative imaging biology,  join us. The Pombo-Garcia lab is interested in Molecular Organisation of Cell Interfaces in the epithelial tissue and in pathology of intestinal diseases. We use super-resolution STED microscopy in combination with gut organoids, biophysics & chemical biology to uncover how epithelial cells organise in space and time under different physico-chemical environments to drive self-organisation processes that shape mesoscale structures enabling tissue function. To that end, we generate high amount of complex data across scales from molecules to mesoscale structures. Our interdisciplinary team includes biology, chemistry and physics.

The Franklin is building technologies to enable imaging molecules of interest in the context of disease in their native state, using electron microscopy, light and super-resolution correlative approaches. We provide cutting-edge infrastructure to develop and implement next generation tools to advance basic science and discovery of novel therapeutics.  Your role will be to lead a research project focused on quantitative imaging of epithelial cell biology and biophysics. Moreover, to support and develop novel workflows of bioimaging analysis to quantify advanced imaging data generated by super-resolution STED microscopy, FLIM, FRET and FCS.  You will collaborate with other research institutions including the University of Oxford.

Responsibilities

As a Postdoctoral Research Associate, your primary task will be to lead a project on quantitative imaging biology and you will:

• Develop novel ways of analysing complex data (eg. 3D volumetric STED) that will enable wider scientific discoveries and advance our understanding of biology.
• Contribute to the wider positive culture in the Franklin and will be expected to contribute intellectually to the development of groups at the Institute.
• Develop novel pipelines of generating quantitative bioimaging data using various optics and electronic tools.
• Contribute both to the development of new methods and their application to investigate the organisation and dynamics of cell interfaces, therefore applicants with a broad experimental-analytical interest are encouraged. 

Candidates must hold a PhD qualification in cell biology, biophysics, physics, mathematics or computer science along with experience in advance quantitative microscopy analysis. We are looking for a colleague with strong organisational and communication skills, with demonstrated laboratory experience. Experience with formulating research questions and devising strategies to address these questions would aid the individual selected for this role. We expect you to lead publications, contribute to research grant writing, collaborate with other members of the lab towards knowledge advancement. This post would be ideal for a candidate who has developed a strong background on bioimaging analysis, quantitative biology or biophysics and would like to lead a project developing novel quantitative imaging pipelines and who would like to gain further experience in cutting edge techniques including super-resolution imaging, condensate biology and cell adhesion in epithelia tissue.

Selection Criteria

Essential:

• PhD or equivalent in Life Science Physics, Mathematics, Cell Biology or Computer Science
• Advanced coding skills in Python and Matlab
• Knowledge in advanced bioimaging tools Fiji, Napari or Huygens
• Biostatistics, statistical data handling
• 2+ years of coding experience and analysis of advanced biological data
• Experience working with microscopy data, advanced quantitative image analysis
• Understanding of molecular and cell biology (preferable cell-adhesion biology)
• Strong organisational, communication skills and scientific motivation
• Proven skills working independent and as part of an international team
• Having at least a first author publication

Desirable:

• Experience working with super-resolution fluorescence imaging 
• Experience in biophysics quantitative imaging techniques (FCS, FLIM, FRET)
• Experience working on artificial intelligence, machine learning for imaging analysis is beneficial
• Experience on handling 3D volumetric data segmentation, deconvolution or denoising
• Involvement in scientific academic projects

The Rosalind Franklin Institute is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and welcomes applications from all. This job description set outs the skills and experience we believe are needed to be able to do this job but, research also tells us women are much more likely than men to take this list of requirements as absolute and self-select out of the process. If you think you can deliver this role then we want to hear from you, regardless of the boxes you did not tick.

In return we offer:

• 25 days holidays plus bank holidays and Christmas holiday shutdown
• Generous pension scheme (employer’s contribution currently up to 18%)
• Group Life Assurance (also known as Group Life Insurance or Death in Service)
• Hub building with state-of-the-art laboratories
• Hybrid and flexible working
• Training and development opportunities for staff at all levels
• Bus pass discount scheme and good transport links to Oxford and surrounding areas
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Access to employee discount platform (Perkbox)
• Occupational Health and wellbeing support including Employee Assistance (24/7 support and counselling)
• Health Cash Plan
• Subsidised canteen and food outlets on campus
• Free on-site parking
• Campus location in beautiful countryside with social and sports clubs open to staff

Before submitting your application please ensure you read the Job Information Pack for full details of this role by clicking on the attachment at the bottom of this page.

About us: 

The Rosalind Franklin Institute is a national interdisciplinary research centre, funded by the UK government through UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). We are dedicated to creating new disruptive technologies which will allow us to see the biological world in new ways, from picometre-scale atoms to centimetre-scale tumours. These technological advances will speed up the discovery of new medicines, help find new diagnostics and contribute to a deeper understanding of human health and disease.

The Franklin operates from a purpose-built research facility on the Harwell Science and Innovation Campus near Didcot, a unique community of government, academia and industry working to accelerate progress on key issues. The 700-acre campus is steeped in world-firsts, and technology and research are at the heart of everything Harwell does.

Our building houses both specialist laboratories, research scientists and operational staff within a state-of-the art facility designed to inspire our people in their work and create a welcoming hub for our collaborations and visitors. Our research values of adventure, novelty, engagement, and utility are drawn on and exemplified by the Franklin team through our collaborations with universities and industrial partners, both in the UK and internationally.

The Franklin’s underlying aim is to produce the best science for research today, and this means resolutely embracing a diverse team, who have a wide range of experiences, skills and knowledge to push forward on the innovative work our institution delivers. Both our work and our institution are better for it. For further information, view our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy. 

At the Rosalind Franklin Institute we welcome applications from all around the world!

How to apply:

To be considered for this role, please submit your application via our recruitment portal, with your CV and a cover letter explaining why you think you are the right person for this job. Please include information about your education and work experience.

Please note that whilst the role is a Postdoctoral Research level and requires candidates to hold a PhD/DPhil (or equivalent), we may consider candidates who are close to completion of their PhD/DPhil qualification, in which case the initial appointment will be made at £36,500 per annum (to be increased on completion of the PhD/DPhil qualification).

Closing date: The closing date for applications is 23:59 on Sunday 2nd February 2025.

Applicants should refer to our Candidate Privacy Policy