Research Fellow on AFM of Antibiotic Action on Living Bacteria

About us

This postdoc position is related to a project funded by the UK BBSRC aiming to understand how broad-spectrum antibiotics target and kill Gram-negative bacteria. The London Centre for Nanotechnology (LCN) is an interdisciplinary enterprise between University College London, King’s College London and Imperial College London.

About the role

The project will build on our recent progress in molecular-resolution atomic force microscopy on living E. coli, and will be complemented by NMR, electron microscopy and molecular dynamics simulations in Nottingham. Gram-negative bacteria are protected from their environment by a multi-layered bacterial cell envelope, consisting of an inner membrane, a cell wall, and an outer membrane. By targeting these membranes, antibiotics can provide broad-spectrum protection against such bacteria. Yet even for membrane-targeting antibiotics that have been used in the clinic for decades, we do not fully understand how they disrupt and/or permeate the bacterial cell envelope. Building on recent new insights and technological advances, this position is aimed to provide such understanding by using high-resolution atomic force microscopy on living bacteria, complementing assays using NMR, electron microscopy and molecular dynamics simulations. It offers an exciting opportunity to carry out research at the interface of microbiology and biophysics in a context that is most relevant for antimicrobial resistance. The position is initially funded for two years. The research will be carried out in Prof. Bart Hoogenboom’s biophysics research group at the LCN, in close collaboration with Drs Andrew Edwards’s and Boyan Bonev’s microbiology labs at, respectively, Imperial College London and the University of Nottingham.

About you

The successful candidates will have a PhD in a relevant area of Life or Physical Sciences (or at least have submitted their thesis when starting this position). For our project at the interface between biophysics/microscopy and microbiology, we are expecting applicants with experience in (at least) one of these fields and a strong motivation to extend their skillset as needed for this project. They must have demonstrated ability for creative, original independent research, as evidenced by a scientific publication track record including outstanding microscopy and/or microbiology work. The person must be adept at interdisciplinary working, multi-tasking and organizing their work to meet deadlines. The start date is flexible between 1 July 2023 and 1 April 2024.

What we offer

• 41 Days holiday (27 days annual leave 8 bank holiday and 6 closure days) • Additional 5 days’ annal leave purchase scheme • Defined benefit career average revalued earnings pension scheme (CARE) • Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loan • Immigration loan • Relocation scheme for certain posts • On-Site nursery • On-site gym • Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay • Employee assistance programme: Staff Support Service • Discounted medical insurance Visit https://www.ucl.ac.uk/work-at-ucl/reward-and-benefits to find out more.

Our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

At UCL we want our community to represent the diversity of the world’s talent. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where we all belong. We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in UCL’s workforce. These include people from Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds; disabled people; LGBTQI+ people. Our department holds an Athena SWAN Bronze award. You can read more about our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion here: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/equality-diversity-inclusion/

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