The Rosalind Franklin Institute (the Franklin) is a new national Research Centre which has just celebrated its 5 years, 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 role
We are currently seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral research associate to join our Structural Biology theme at the Rosalind Franklin Institute. The post is funded by UKRI as part of the IMAGINE European Consortium. This pan-European collaboration aims to bring together next generation methods for imaging biology across scales. This post is aimed at discerning the application of cryo-plasma FIBs for volumetric and electron imaging to enable molecular-scale imaging with high throughput and on a grand scale.
Working with collaborators at EMBL Heidelberg (Germany), Max-Planck Institute for Biochemistry, Martinsried (Germany), Leiden University (Netherlands), Leica and TESCAN, you will develop methods for high throughput milling, cryo-lift out, and volume imaging to produce lamella for multicellular specimens, working alongside efforts to streamline high-precision targeting in 3D and to improve vitrification methods.
Your primary task will be to streamline lamella fabrication for complex biological systems. This will utilise fluorescence, SEM and TEM approaches, in conjunction with plasma focused ion beam milling and cryo-lift out. You will develop protocols for high throughput milling protocols, using multi-modal imaging to streamline the targeting of specific regions of interest, and optimising protocols for ion beam milling at high and low currents. This will involve best practise for planar lamella, complex geometric shapes and for cryo-lift out. This post will be linked to our electrifying life science project to perform large volume tomography.
About You
Candidates must hold a post-graduate qualification/PhD (or equivalent experience) in physics, material sciences, biochemistry, structural biology, or another relevant subject. We are looking for candidates with a demonstrated ability to deliver project outputs (publications, datasets, patents etc) in a timely manner, the ability to work independently and as part of an interdisciplinary team, as well as strong organisational and communication skills. Experience with formulating research questions and devising strategies to address these questions is essential for this role.
This post would be ideal for a candidate who has worked with electron microscopy techniques (cryoEM or FIB/SEM methods) (cryo or room temperature), with experience in focused ion beam milling, (cryo) lift out methods, FIB/SEM or advance SEM/TEM methods. The ideal candidate would drive developments in plasma ion technologies and apply them to multicellular models in biology. The successful candidate would be expected to make significant intellectual contributions to the group and supervise PhD/DPhil students. In return, the successful candidate will be afforded training in high end (cryo) SEM and TEM methods, with access to latest and beyond state of art equipment.
Responsibilities
You will:
-Develop new methods/workflows for the generation of lamella for electron cryo-tomography.
-Characterise and apply the use of plasma to increase through-put of lamella fabrication.
-Integrate 3D targeting approaches for cryo correlative electron microscopy in plasma FIB workflows.
-Integrate workflows from multiple manufactures and streams for in-situ structural methods.
-Provide guidance to software developers on optimise machine learning methods for streamlining lamella production, cryo-lift out and tomographic data acquisition.
-Be a focal point of advice and supervision for junior researchers in in-situ structural methods.
In return we offer:
-25 days holidays + site close for Christmas (in addition to your allowance)
-Hybrid working
-Generous pension scheme (employer’s contribution currently up to 18%)
-Training and development opportunities for staff at all levels
-Bus pass discount scheme
-Access to employee discount platform via Perkbox (discounts/wellbeing/Employee Assistance/counselling)
-Occupational Health services
-Health cash plan
-Access to wellbeing resources through Thrive
-Subsidised on-site canteen
-Free on-site parking
-Campus location in beautiful countryside with social and sports clubs open to staff
Before submitting your application please ensure you read the Job Information Pack for full details of this role by clicking on the attachment at the bottom of this page.
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.
At the Rosalind Franklin Institute we welcome applications from all around the world!
Closing date: Sunday 18th June 2023
Applicants should refer to our Candidate Privacy Policy (
https://www.rfi.ac.uk/candidate-privacy-policy/)
Job Pack
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https://opportunities.rfi.ac.uk/wd/plsql/wd_portal.view_blob?p_web_site_id=6400&p_web_page_id=524787&p_type=JOBDOC&p_id=441647&p_show=N)