Research Fellow in Single Molecule DNA-based Biophysics

About us

The Nano Bio Photonics group at UCL, led by Dr. Sabrina Simoncelli, is inviting applications for one post-doctoral research fellow in Single Molecule DNA-Based Biophysics. The postholder will contribute to the group’s research activities on advancing single molecule fluorescence microscopy to study cell-signalling processes. The anticipated start date is flexible between 1st July – 1st September 2024, and the position is funded, in a first instance, for up to 17 months. The research will be carried out at the London Centre for Nanotechnology. The London Centre for Nanotechnology (LCN) is an interdisciplinary enterprise between University College London, King’s College London and Imperial College London. In bringing together world-class infrastructure and leading nanotechnology research activities, the Centre aims to attain the critical mass to compete with the best facilities abroad. The LCN has strong relationships with the broader nanotechnology and commerci al communities, and is involved in much major collaboration. As the world’s only such facility to be located in the heart of a metropolis, the LCN has superb access to corporate, investment and industrial partners. It is at the forefront of training in nanotechnology, and has a strong media presence aimed at educating the public and bringing transparency to this emerging science.

About the role

The successful candidate will be involved in the development and application of a new single-molecule biophysical approach based on DNA-technology to elucidate the mechanism by which forces generated at ligand-receptor interface influence downstream signal transduction of immune cells. The new technology will enable to simultaneously map piconewton-scale forces and conformational changes in 3-dimensions, and it is underpinned in the most current advances in the field of single-molecule localisation microscopy (i.e., DNA-PAINT, tension-PAINT and SIMPELR). The capabilities of the new technology will be first demonstrated studying the mechano-transduction of the T-cell receptor antigen recognition. Notably, the successful development of the method holds the promise of uncovering additional insight into the regulatory role of forces on several immunoreceptor-ligand pairs.

About you

The successful candidate will have a PhD in a relevant area of Life or Physical Sciences (or at least have submitted their thesis) with an outstanding track record of research and publications in reputed journals. Experience working with immune cells and click-chemistry reactions is essential. Additional experience in single molecule biophysics and DNA-based molecular force sensors in the context of biological samples is essential, single-molecule based super-resolution fluorescence microscopy, the preparation of glass-supported lipid bilayer samples, as well as experience in advance image analysis and programming skills are desirable. The person must have demonstrated ability for creative, original independent research of high quality. The person must be adept at multi-tasking and organizing their work to meet deadlines. They must have a proven track record of working in both collaboratively and independently.

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