Postdoctoral Fellow - Structural Biology and Cytoskeletal Remodeling - Chaaban Lab

Francis Crick Institute Ltd; Greater London; On-site; GBP 43,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Sponsorship for UK work eligibility

Competitive salary

Pension and health benefits

Generous annual leave and welfare

Job summary

The Francis Crick Institute in London is seeking a Postdoctoral Fellow for a fixed-term 4-year project in the Chaaban Lab to study structural biology and cytoskeletal remodeling. You will investigate how protein machines remodel microtubules using cryo-EM, biochemistry, and advanced fluorescence imaging.

Join a collaborative, world-class environment and contribute to impactful health research. Applicants should hold a PhD in a relevant field and demonstrate expertise in cryo-EM, protein

Qualifications

• PhD in structural biology, biochemistry, molecular biology, biophysics or related discipline.
• Experience with protein biochemistry and cryo-EM, including sample prep and data collection.
• Ability to combine these approaches with quantitative fluorescence microscopy.

Responsibilities

• Develop and lead a project on cytoskeletal remodeling and microtubule dynamics.
• Produce and characterize recombinant proteins and complexes, and establish interaction assays.
• Use cryo-EM and image analysis to study structural states of assemblies.
• Integrate structural data with biochemical and imaging experiments to test hypotheses.
• Present findings at meetings and contribute to manuscripts.

Skills

Cryo-EM

Biochemistry

Fluorescence microscopy

Single-particle image processing

Education

PhD in structural biology or related field

Tools

Cryo-EM data collection

Model building

Job description

Job Details

Postdoctoral Fellow – Structural Biology and Cytoskeletal Remodeling – Chaaban Lab

Salary: From £47,500 per annum with benefits, subject to skills and experience.

Contract: Full-time, fixed-term (4 years).

Closing date: 15 November 2026 at 23:59.

Reports to: Sami Chaaban, Group Leader.

About us

The Francis Crick Institute is Europe’s largest biomedical research institute under one roof. Our world‑class scientists and staff collaborate on vital research to help prevent, diagnose and treat illnesses such as cancer, heart disease, infectious diseases and neurodegenerative conditions. The Crick is a place for collaboration, innovation and exploration across many disciplines. A space where the brightest minds can pursue big and bold ideas and discover answers to crucial scientific questions. We support them in a dynamic environment which fosters excellence with state‑of‑the‑art infrastructure, cutting‑edge facilities, and a creative and curious culture. We’ve removed traditional boundaries of departments, divisions and disciplines and instead have an open approach that supports every researcher. This gives us the freedom to take risks and carry out high‑quality, pioneering research. Creating a space for discovery without boundaries helps us to turn our science into benefits for human health and the economy.

The Research Group

We are seeking a curious and motivated postdoctoral researcher to join the Cytoskeletal Coordination Laboratory, opening in January 2027 at the Francis Crick Institute. Our lab investigates how molecular machines build, remodel and dismantle the cytoskeleton. We are particularly interested in how these activities are coordinated during cell division, when cells must reorganise their internal architecture and ultimately separate into two daughter cells. We combine biochemistry, structural biology and quantitative microscopy to connect molecular organisation with biological function. As an early member of the lab, you will have the opportunity to shape the research programme, establish experimental approaches and contribute to an open and supportive research environment. You will work closely with Sami while developing your own ideas and scientific independence, supported by the Crick’s scientific platforms and research community.

About the role

The successful candidate will investigate how protein machines remodel microtubules. The project will address two linked questions: how these complexes assemble and engage microtubules to couple chemical energy to structural changes, and how interactions with partner proteins regulate their activity. Cryo-electron microscopy will be a major component of the project, alongside reconstitution with purified proteins and fluorescence microscopy. By determining structures of complexes in different functional states and testing the resulting predictions experimentally, you will help explain how molecular interactions drive microtubule remodelling. There will be scope to develop complementary approaches and connect these mechanisms to their functions in cells. We encourage applications from researchers studying other molecular systems who can bring relevant expertise and a fresh perspective. Training will support the development of complementary skills.

What you will be doing:

• Developing and leading a research project investigating the molecular mechanisms of cytoskeletal remodeling.
• Producing and characterising recombinant proteins and protein complexes, and establishing assays to measure their interactions and activity.
• Using cryo-EM and computational image analysis to investigate the organisation and conformational states of molecular assemblies.
• Integrating structural findings with biochemical and fluorescence microscopy experiments to test mechanistic hypotheses.
• Analysing and documenting experiments rigorously, presenting findings at scientific meetings, and contributing to manuscripts and publications.

About you

You will have:

• A PhD, or a PhD in the final stages of submission, in structural biology, biochemistry, molecular biology, biophysics, or a related discipline.
• Experimental expertise in protein biochemistry and cryo‑EM, including sample preparation and data collection.
• Strong interest in combining these approaches with quantitative fluorescence microscopy.
• Experience designing experiments, applying appropriate statistical analysis, critically interpreting data and troubleshooting research problems.
• Evidence of scientific initiative and the ability to develop and pursue research questions independently.
• Evidence of communicating research clearly through scientific writing and presentations.
• A collaborative approach to research and the ability to work effectively with colleagues.
• Experience in single‑particle image processing and model building.

AI in our recruitment process

We welcome the responsible use of AI as a tool to support your application, but we ask that it is used to enhance your own experience, ideas and achievements, rather than replace them.

About Working at the Crick

Everyone who works at the Crick has a valuable role to play in advancing the Crick’s mission and shaping our culture. We are bold. We make space for creative, dynamic and imaginative ideas and approaches. We’re not afraid to do things differently. We are open. We’re highly collaborative and interactive, and make sure our activities are visible to the outside world. We are collegial. We show respect for one another, work cooperatively and support the wider community. At the Francis Crick Institute, we believe that diversity and inclusion are essential to driving innovation and scientific discovery. We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to succeed, regardless of their background, identity, or personal circumstances. We actively encourage applications from individuals of all genders, ethnicities, abilities, and experiences. We are a Disability‑Confident: Committed employer and want to ensure that everyone can apply and be part of our recruitment processes and so we’ll make reasonable adjustments if you need them - just let us know when you apply.

What will you receive:

• Visas: Applicants for this role will be eligible for sponsorship to work in the UK
• Generous Leave: 28 days of annual leave, plus three additional days over Christmas and bank holidays.
• Pension Scheme: Defined contribution pension with employer contributions of up to 16%.
• Health & Well‑being: 24/7 GP consultation services. Occupational health services and mental health support programs. Eye care vouchers and discounted healthcare plans.
• Work-Life Balance: Back‑up care for dependents. Childcare support allowance. Annual leave purchase options. Crick Networks offering diverse groups’ support, community and inclusive social events.
• Perks: Discounted gym memberships, bike‑to‑work scheme, and shopping discounts. Subsidised on‑site restaurant and social spaces for team interaction.

Please note you must meet the essential criteria listed within the Role Profile, to have your application reviewed. We reserve the right to withdraw this advert at any given time due to the number of applications received.

The Francis Crick Institute is a biomedical discovery institute researching the biology underlying human health. At the Crick, scientists and staff collaborate to stretch the very limits of what we know about how life works. Our work is helping to understand why disease develops and to translate discoveries into new ways to prevent, diagnose and treat illnesses such as cancer, heart disease, stroke, infections and neurodegenerative diseases. The Francis Crick Institute is a charity, founded by the Medical Research Council, Cancer Research UK, Wellcome, UCL (University College London), Imperial College London and King’s College London.