Beyond the Surface: Extending Micropatterning into the third dimension

Crick; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 18,000 - 24,000; Full time

Job summary

The Crick Institute is offering a sandwich placement in collaboration with Making Lab STP and James Briscoe’s Lab. You will work under Albane Imbert and James Briscoe to explore cell micropatterning and three-dimensional tissue models, bridging 2D to 3D culture while developing robust operating procedures for broader adoption.

The ideal candidate will be registered at a UK higher education institution, have completed at least two years of study in a relevant field, and demonstrate communication,

Qualifications

• Post requires registration at a UK Higher Education Institution.
• Must have completed at least two years of undergraduate study.
• On track to obtain final degree grade of 2:1.
• Background in bioengineering, chemistry, or biological sciences.

Skills

Communication skills

Independent worker

Team collaboration

Education

Undergraduate study

UK institution

Job description

This sandwich placement will be a joint project between the Making Lab STP and James Briscoe’s Lab, with the student working across both areas under the supervision of Albane Imbert (STP Lead) and James Briscoe (Group Leader).

Project summary

Cell micropatterning is a powerful approach for controlling the spatial organisation of cells in vitro, enabling researchers to investigate how geometry, cell-cell interactions, and local microenvironments influence biological function. By defining where cells adhere and interact, micropatterning has improved the reproducibility of cell-based assays and supported advances in developmental biology, mechanobiology, stem cell research, and tissue engineering. However, most micropatterning technologies remain confined to two-dimensional substrates, limiting their ability to capture the structural complexity and physiological relevance of native tissues.

This creates a significant opportunity for innovation. While 3D cultures and organoids better mimic in-vivo biology, they often lack control over cellular organisation. In contrast, micropatterning provides robust spatial control but is largely restricted to 2D. Bridging these approaches could unlock new opportunities to study tissue morphogenesis, multicellular interactions, and disease progression within more physiologically relevant models.

Ongoing work is already laying the foundations for wider adoption of micropatterning technologies. A dedicated sandwich student is currently working to standardise patterning protocols, develop robust operating procedures, and make these approaches accessible to a broader research community. This initiative is helping transform micropatterning from a specialist technique into a shared capability that can support diverse biological applications across the Institute.

The vision of this proposed project is to build upon this momentum and extend micropatterning principles beyond two-dimensional culture and establish a framework for spatially controlled three-dimensional biological systems.

Building upon emerging high-throughput and automated patterning technologies, we will explore strategies to generate, maintain, and manipulate defined cellular architectures within three-dimensional matrices and microfluidic environments. By combining the precision of micropatterning with advances in tissue engineering, this work aims to create a scalable route towards increasingly complex and programmable tissue models for future developments in spatial biology and organ-on-chip systems.

Candidate background

The post holder should embody and demonstrate the Crick ethos and ways of working: bold, open and collegial. The candidate must be registered at a UK Higher Education Institution, studying in the UK and must have completed a minimum of two years’ undergraduate study in a relevant discipline, and on track to receive a final degree grade of 2:1 or 1.In addition, they should be able demonstrate the following experience and key competencies:

• This project would suit a candidate studying bioengineering, chemistry, or biological sciences. Some previous laboratory experience is appreciated but not required.
• Good knowledge in relevant scientific area(s)
• Good written and spoken communication skills
• Ability to work independently and also capable of interacting within a group

References

• D'Arcangelo, E. and McGuigan, A.P. (2015) Micropatterning strategies to engineer controlled cell and tissue architecture in vitro. Biotechniques 58: 13–23. PubMed abstract
• Rodriguez-Polo, I. and Moris, N. (2024) Using Embryo Models to Understand the Development and Progression of Embryonic Lineages: A Focus on Primordial Germ Cell Development. Cells Tissues Organs 213: 503–522. PubMed abstract
• Sullivan, A.E. and Santos, S.D. (2023) The ever-growing world of gastruloids: autogenous models of mammalian embryogenesis. Current Opinion in Genetics & Development 82: 102102. PubMed abstract
• Rito, T., Libby, A.R.G., Demuth, M., Domart, M.C., Cornwall-Scoones, J. and Briscoe, J. (2025) Timely TGFbeta signalling inhibition induces notochord. Nature 637: 673–682. PubMed abstract