Research Associate in Diffractive Imaging

Mapping the thousands of connections between individual neurons in the brain, a field called connectomics, is critical to our understanding of the mechanisms behind neurodegenerative conditions, such as autism and schizophrenia, and the brain’s complex responses to stimuli, such as images, smells and sounds. For many decades, various electron microscopy (EM) techniques have been the dominant imaging technique in connectomics, but these methods are error-prone and require months, or even years, of data acquisition and processing. Thus, while providing the highest resolution, using EM alone it is difficult to obtain wider contextual information such as the identity of neurons that are linked together by the synapses visible in the EM 3D images.

This project brings together the University of Sheffield, the Diamond Light Source and the Crick Institute in a new collaboration aimed at developing an X-ray imaging tool to complement ultra-high resolution EM methods and provide non-destructive, sub-100nm resolution, large volume mapping of brain tissue in three dimensions. The project will translate to the X-ray synchrotron proof-of-principle work at Sheffield that has successfully imaged large volumes using a technique called “multislice ptychography”. The project is funded by the BBSRC through its Basic Technologies in Sensing and Imaging programme.

The project requires a post-doctoral level candidate with expertise in diffractive imaging methods, particularly ptychography, and the associated iterative reconstruction algorithms. The work will involve close collaboration with postdoctoral researchers and beamline scientists at the Diamond Light Source and with a postdoctoral scientist at the Crick Institute under the supervision of Prof. Andreas Schaefer. The successful candidate will join the ptychography research group within EEE, led by Prof. John Rodenburg FRS and Dr. Andrew Maiden (Principle Investigator on this project). The group is recognised internationally for its work in developing ptychography and several of the key algorithms and experimental processes involved in the technique.

The University of Sheffield is one of the best not-for-profit organisations to work for in the UK. The University’s Total Reward Package includes a competitive salary, a generous Pension Scheme and annual leave entitlement, as well as access to a range of learning and development courses to support your personal and professional development.

We build teams of people from different heritages and lifestyles from across the world, whose talent and contributions complement each other to greatest effect. We believe diversity in all its forms delivers greater impact through research, teaching and student experience.

To find out what makes the University of Sheffield a remarkable place to work, watch this short film: www.youtube.com/watch?v=7LblLk18zmo, and follow @sheffielduni and @ShefUniJobs on Twitter for more information.

Apply now by clicking on the Apply button located near the top of your screen

Advert information