Postdoctoral Research Associate in Biophysics with Focus on Microfluidics and Optics (Fixed Term)

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 9 months in the first instance. 

Applications are invited for a Postdoctoral Research Associate (PDRA) position to work on the development and applications of a microfluidic platform for analysing protein aggregation, with a focus on developing and further improving the single-molecule optical technology used for detection, a project funded by the Michael J. Fox Foundation. The PDRA will work in the group of Professor Tuomas Knowles in the Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry at the University of Cambridge.

The aim of this interdisciplinary project is to develop an approach for detecting biomarkers that allow early diagnosis of Parkinson's disease, provide a means to track disease progression, and support the development of future therapeutics. A particularly attractive route to achieve this objective is to directly measure the seeding activity of misfolded and aggregated forms of the central protein driving Parkinson's disease (PD), alpha-synuclein. Yet, the ability to measure and quantify the seeding activity of pathological aggregates in clinical samples has remained elusive. Here, we propose to address this challenge by developing a quantitative and practical seeding assay in digital format which allows better quantification. Success with this project will open a platform and path towards quantitative PD biomarker detection. 

The project aims to develop a novel toolbox enabling the digital quantification of single aggregates supporting PD diagnosis and following disease progression. To this end, the PDRA will combine advanced single-molecule optical detection with fluorescence microscopy and microfluidic techniques to develop a biophysical toolkit that allows real-time characterisation of alpha-synuclein aggregation at a single aggregate resolution. 

Required Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in a quantitative field of science (biophysics, physics, engineering, chemistry etc.)
• Strong background in working with/ developing custom-built single-molecule optical set-ups
• Experience with confocal, light-sheet and fluorescent microscopy applied in biophysics
• Experience in data analysis with coding (Python interface)
• Experience working with microfluidics and protein aggregation assays 

Applicants will be expected to work collaboratively in an interdisciplinary environment, interact and communicate effectively with a team of scientists with a wide range of expertise in biophysics and physical chemistry. 

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

Please ensure that you upload your Curriculum Vitae (CV), a covering letter and publications list in the upload section of the online application. If you upload any additional documents that have not been requested, we will not be able to consider these as part of your application. 

For queries relating to your application or the application process, please contact Echo Williamson via email on jw825@cam.ac.uk 

Please quote reference MA50116 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The Department holds an Athena SWAN silver award for women in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medicine.

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