The role
The Rosalind Franklin Institute (The Franklin) is a National Research Centre, funded by the UK government through UK Research and Innovation, dedicated to bringing about transformative changes in life science through interdisciplinary research and technology.
The Biological Mass Spectrometry theme focuses on the development of new instrumentation for mass spectrometric imaging (MSI) allowing the visualisation of molecular distributions at subcellular level and the de-novo structure elucidation of chemical species detected by MSI techniques. The ultimate goal of the Theme is to understand the working mechanism of molecular interaction networks in health and disease and define novel diagnostic and prognostic targets for next generation healthcare.
The project focuses on the development of novel, tandem ion mobility spectrometry (IMS/IMS) device allowing the separation of ions and their fragments based on their differential collisional cross sections. The IMS/IMS device employs trapped ion mobility spectrometry (TIMSTM) technology for the separation of ions produced by the multimodal MSI of biological tissues. The IMS capability has different roles in the overall analytical workflow of the instrument including the (i) determination of collisional cross section of ions and their fragments to facilitate molecular structure elucidation, (ii) separation of isobaric/isomeric ion populations not resolvable by means of MS (iii) study conformational changes of macromolecular ions in biological systems as well as the mass spectrometer. The postholder is expected to develop new analytical workflows utilising the TIMS-TOF-FT-ICR technology for the spatially resolved analysis of biological tissues. While the work focuses on this new mass spectrometric platform, the successful candidate will also have the opportunity to use other instrumentation including secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) instruments and more traditional quadrupole-TOF platforms.
The project is a collaboration with Bruker Corporation, with whom you will work extensively, while liaising with MS and IMS experts in the UK and beyond. The postholder will be expected to primarily use modified and off-the-shelf Bruker mass spectrometric instrumentation. The post reports to the RFI's Theme Leads for Biological Mass Spectrometry (Profs Josephine Bunch and Zoltan Takats), and will also work with MS leads of other Franklin Themes, in particular Next Generation Chemistry.
About you
Candidates must hold a post-graduate qualification, or equivalent experience, in Chemistry, Physics, Engineering, Biomolecular Science, or related subjects. We are looking for candidates with experience in mass spectrometric imaging, in analytical method development, as well as a demonstrated aptitude for data interpretation beyond the use of standard manufacturer-provided tools.
Before submitting your application please ensure you read the Job Information Pack for full details of this role by clicking on the attachment on our website:
https://opportunities.rfi.ac.uk/vacancy/postdoctoral-research-associate-in-imaging-mass-spectrometry--499045.html About us
The Rosalind Franklin Institute is a new national Research Centre, funded by the UK government through UK Research and Innovation, dedicated to bringing about transformative changes in life science through interdisciplinary research and technology.
Location: The Franklin is based in Harwell Campus, UK’s innovation hub and well-established as one of the leading science and innovation campuses in Europe.
Closing date: 17th October 2022 at 09:00am
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Location Harwell
Type of Post Full Time
Period of appointment 2 years fixed term contract
Salary £33,500 - £41,000 per annum
Closing Date 17/10/2022
Ref No 10230
