Research Associate in Cryogenic Super-Resolution Microscopy and Immune Cell Imaging

The role

This Postdoctoral Research Associate (PDRA) position will focus on the development of a novel cryogenic super-resolution microscopy platform to enable imaging of molecular processes in the human immune system. The platform combines cryogenic single-molecule localisation microscopy (SMLM) with correlative light and electron microscopy (cryo-CLEM) workflows, and the successful candidate will develop advanced microscopy instrumentation and computational workflows that bridge high-resolution imaging and mechanistic immunology.

You will join the Sharp Lab at the University of Bristol and become part of a multidisciplinary team combining synthetic biology, structural biology, microscopy, immunology and protein engineering to understand and control the human immune system.

You will work closely with Linkam Scientific to develop and optimise next-generation cryogenic imaging technologies, and will have access to state-of-the-art microscopy, structural biology and computational infrastructure within the School of Biochemistry and the wider University of Bristol research community.

Candidates from physics, engineering, optics, microscopy, computational imaging, astronomy instrumentation, quantum optics, or related fields are encouraged to apply even if they have little or no immunology background.

What will you be doing?

You will:

• Lead the rebuilding, optimisation and further development of an existing cryogenic super-resolution microscopy platform.
• Help develop hardware control, image acquisition and analysis software associated with the microscope platform, in collaboration with software engineers.
• Establish safe operating procedures and provide technical leadership for microscope use and maintenance.
• Collaborate with immunologists and cell biologists to develop imaging workflows and experimental strategies.
• Contribute to future technology development, grant applications and collaborative projects.
• Disseminate research through publications, presentations, software releases and other outputs.
• Support the wider Sharp Lab through collaborative working, mentoring and supervision of students where appropriate.

You should apply if

You meet with the following criteria:

Essential

• You should hold, or expect to hold shortly, a PhD in Physics, Engineering, Biophysics, Optical Engineering, Microscopy, Computational Imaging or a related discipline or have equivalent research experience in an academic, industrial or clinical setting.
• Experience designing, building, modifying or maintaining advanced optical instrumentation.
• Knowledge of laser safety, laboratory safety procedures and good experimental practice.
• Experience with optical alignment and troubleshooting of microscopy systems.
• Programming experience in Python, C++, MATLAB or a similar language.
• Experience developing scientific software or automated instrument-control workflows.
• Ability to work independently and proactively drive technical and scientific development.
• Excellent communication skills and enthusiasm for interdisciplinary collaboration.

Desirable

• Experience with super-resolution microscopy techniques (e.g. SMLM methods).
• Experience with cryogenic microscopy or low-temperature optical systems.
• Experience integrating hardware and software for automated imaging platforms.
• Experience with image analysis, computer vision or machine-learning approaches for microscopy.
• Track record of peer-reviewed publications.
• Experience supervising students or junior researchers.
• Experience presenting research at national or international conferences.

Additional information

Contract type: Fixed term contract (specialist skills for 12 months)

This advert will close at 23:59 UK time on Wednesday 8th July.

For informal queries please contact: Dr Thomas Sharp, Associate Professor in the School of Biochemistry via email: t.sharp@bristol.ac.uk

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