Postdoctoral Research Associate (Fixed Term)

The Laser Analytics Group, led by Prof. Clemens Kaminski (Google Scholar Profile), is looking for a Postdoctoral Research Associate to develop cutting-edge imaging technologies to probe molecular mechanisms of disease. We work closely with Prof. Gabriele Kaminski Schierle's Molecular Neuroscience Group, and operate one of the world's leading imaging labs, utilising techniques ranging from single-molecule microscopy to whole-organism imaging. Methods we develop include variants of STORM, STED, SIM, Light Sheet imaging, and live-cell correlative approaches like AFM-SIM.

A core focus lies on protein misfolding diseases, such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, studied in models ranging from single cells to 3D brain organoids. The research proposed will build on recent technologies developed in the Kaminski lab for organelle imaging (Holcman et al., Nat Cell Biol 2018; Ward et al., 2022 Nat Comms; Lu et al., 2023 Nat. Meth.) and advanced biological probe design at City University HK (Prof. Sun Hongyan, Prof. Zang Yong, Prof. Yang Fen, and Prof. Maria Babak).

The current project, undertaken in close collaboration with Prof. Melody Clark at the British Antarctic Survey, seeks to develop advanced imaging methods for studying life at sub-zero temperatures. The research will build directly on technologies from the Kaminski lab for organelle imaging (Holcman et al., Nat Cell Biol 2018; Ward et al., Nat Comms 2022; Lu et al., Nat Meth. 2023) and on pioneering work in biological probe design at City University Hong Kong (Prof. Sun Hongyan, Prof. Zang Yong, Prof. Yang Fen, and Prof. Maria Babak).

Key responsibilities

The project aims to establish high-resolution, functional imaging in the cold, enabling direct study of how fundamental processes such as protein synthesis, molecular transport, and macromolecular assembly differ between cold-adapted and temperate cells. Specifically, we will:

• Develop advanced imaging systems, including light sheet microscopy and fluorescence lifetime imaging, for live-cell and embryonic sample imaging at sub-zero temperatures (Cambridge labs).
• Engineer reporter systems based on low-toxicity, photostable dyes optimized for long-term imaging of diverse organelles (Hong Kong labs).
• Extend our recent advances to design automated analysis pipelines for quantitative segmentation and assessment of organelle morphology and health (Cambridge labs)

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 3 years in the first instance.

To apply online for this vacancy and to view further information about the role, please click 'Apply' above.

Please quote reference NQ47341 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

Advert information