UKRI Guarantee Doctoral Network Student Researcher in Super-resolution Imaging of Living Cells

Do you have an strong background in optical microscopy? Are you interested in developing super-resolution microscopy for living cells? Do you want to further your career and study for a PhD in one of the UK’s leading research-intensive Universities?

You will join the recently funded European Doctoral Network (DN) NanoRam: www.nanoram-dn.com as a UKRI guarantee doctoral network student. This network involves 19 organisations across 12 countries and will train 14 Doctoral Researchers (DRs). The interdisciplinary network combines physics, chemistry, biology and engineering to train a new generation of scientists in the development and application of newly developed manipulation and characterisation nanotools in soft matter research. DRs will be supervised by researchers across the network, will work on multi-disciplinary projects and be engaged in a comprehensive network-wide training programme. They will be exposed to different sectors via planned placements, attend summer schools, and contribute to and organise workshops and conferences. Candidates will also benefit from secondments to academic and industrial partners, which will emphasise an innovative, creative and entrepreneurial mind-set. You will be funded for 3 years and will pursue a doctoral degree during this time.

This DR position is based at the University of Leeds and will involve expanding and developing our iSIM (instant structured illumination microscope) to improve on its imaging capability, and enable us to perform rapid imaging of living cells to investigate cytoskeletal dynamics. We will develop video rate super-resolution microscopy (SR) for high speed imaging and thus correlative SR microscopy for soft matter characterisation and handling.We are looking for candidates that are interested in technology development, cutting-edge nanotool and soft matter research, and specifically in high resolution light microscopy, optics and microscope construction and an interest in studying live cell dynamics. 

Important eligibility rules for this position: 

There are no restrictions on the nationality, but:

• Applicants must be a doctoral candidate at the date of recruitment (i.e. not already in possession of a doctoral degree) 
• At the date of recruitment, applicants must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc...) in the UK for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to their recruitment to this project. Compulsory national service and/or short stays such as holidays are not taken into account. To engage in paid employment you must have the necessary right to work in the UK. This may involve obtaining an appropriate visa and the University of Leeds will be able to offer support and advice to the successful candidate.

Salary: 

The UKRI Guarantee Doctoral Network Student Researcher living allowance is fixed at £47,820.84 per annum per annum.  This figure is subject to employer’s and employee’s deductions for national insurance and taxes per year, which will be paid in Sterling using the UKRI exchange rate. An additional family allowance may be payable if eligible.

To explore the post further or for any queries you may have, please contact: 

Michelle Peckham, Professor of Cell Biology

Tel: +44 (0)113 343 4348

Email: m.peckham@leeds.ac.uk 

Location: Leeds - Main Campus

Working time: 37.5 hours

Contract type: Fixed term (for 3 years (to complete specific time limited work))

Interview date: To be confirmed

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