Research Associate in Structural Cell Biology

1000scholars; East Hagbourne; Hybrid; GBP 35,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Holidays and personal leave

Pension scheme (employer’s up to 18%)

Group Life Assurance

Cycle to Work Scheme

Hybrid and flexible working

On-site parking

Perkbox access

Staff wellbeing support

Job summary

The Rosalind Franklin Institute invites a postdoctoral research associate to develop methods for in-situ structure reconstruction from human tissue data. You will lead computational approaches and collaborate with Imperial, UCL, and Oxford to advance cryo-electron tomography analyses.

Applicants should hold a PhD and have experience with structure determination pipelines, data interpretation, and scientific dissemination. Hybrid working and development opportunities are offered.

Qualifications

• PhD/DPhil in a relevant field or equivalent.
• Demonstrated expertise in cryo-electron tomography or related tools.
• Experience leading a research team or supervising junior researchers.

Responsibilities

• Develop and streamline computational approaches for in-situ structure determination from tissue sources.
• Lead collaborations with clinical partners to prepare tissues for cryo-ET.
• Design experiments, analyse data, and deliver research outputs (papers, patents, talks).
• Collaborate across Franklin's Challenges and contribute to project deliverables.

Skills

Cryo-EM data analysis

In-situ structure determination

Leadership in team settings

Communication of research outputs

Education

PhD in a relevant field

Tools

Cryo-EM pipelines

Macromolecular modelling

Job description

The Rosalind Franklin Institute (the Franklin) is a technology institute established by the UK Government as a unique centre committed to advancing tools that are needed to transform healthcare in the future.

The Institute brings together researchers in life and physical sciences, and engineering, to develop a spectrum of tools which we will use to image, interpret and intervene in biological systems. These insights will speed up the discovery of new medicines, help find new diagnostics and contribute to a deeper understanding of human health and disease. Our Science Strategy seeks to focus the Franklin’s research and unite our researchers around our Technology Innovation Challenges and Life Science Challenges. For more information on the Franklin’s Challenges.

The Grange group is developing tools that can image the 3-dimensional organisation of macromolecular complexes within brain tissues. This utilises fast vitrification of surgical biopsies and in-situ structural biology methods (cryo-focused ion beam milling, cryo lift out, electron tomography). We are seeking a motivated postdoctoral research associate who will be able to develop methods to investigate content-rich data taken from human tissue resections and reconstruct the molecular make-up of supramolecular complexes utilising quantitative approaches. The project will focus on cytoskeletal and mitochondrial changes during aging and disease.

As part of this post, you will drive a project aimed at the computational reconstruction of macromolecular structures from in-situ data, pushing integration of workflows to enable the molecular sociology of cytoskeletal and mitochondrial processes to be examined in the context of aging and neurodegeneration. As part of the team, you will work with partners at Imperial, University College London and the University of Oxford to coordinate the procurement of specimens, work towards the acquisition of high-quality cryo-electron tomography data and develop structure determination pipelines capable of delivering a comprehensive overview of macromolecular organisation and diversity.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and streamline computational approaches to in-situ structure determination methods from tissue sources that enable an assessment of macromolecular diversity.
• Demonstrate leadership as part of a team working with clinicians to prepare tissues for cryo-electron tomography.
• Plan and conduct experiments, analyse and interpret results and supervised delivery of outputs (e.g. research reports, patent applications) in a scientific/technology area of interest.
• Work within a project team, contributing to wider projects around key Franklin's Challenges.
• Lead major contributions to research outputs including papers, patents and both internal and external presentations.
• Support and develop others including day-to-day supervision of students or visitors in areas related to your own research.
• Have supervised, staged progression to first stages of scientific independence with opportunities to further develop science and skills/experience.
• Enhance your research through collaboration with other researchers and make active contributions to exchange of ideas through your own network.
• Be able to understand, interpret, create and communicate appropriately within a research context.
• Develop search and discovery skills and techniques.
• Be supervised by a Scientist/Senior Scientist in delivery of research outputs, either in the context of a project or Franklin's Challenge or as an early career development fellow.

This job description sets out the skills and experience we believe are needed to be able to do this job but, research also tells us women are much more likely than men to take this list of requirements as absolute and self-select out of the process. If you think you can deliver this role then we want to hear from you, regardless of the boxes you did not tick.

Whilst the role requires candidates to hold a PhD/DPhil (or equivalent), we may consider candidates who have submitted their PhD/DPhil thesis, in which case the initial appointment will be made at £38,500 per annum (to be increased on completion of the PhD/DPhil qualification).

In return we offer:

• 25 days holidays plus bank holidays and Christmas holiday shutdown
• Generous pension scheme (employer’s contribution currently up to 18%)
• Group Life Assurance (also known as Group Life Insurance or Death in Service)
• Buying and Selling Annual Leave
• Workplace Nursery Salary Sacrifice Scheme
• Hub building with state-of-the-art laboratories
• Hybrid and flexible working
• Training and development opportunities for staff at all levels
• Bus pass discount scheme and good transport links to Oxford and surrounding areas
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Access to employee discount platform (Perkbox)
• Occupational Health and wellbeing support including Employee Assistance (24/7 support and counselling)
• Health Cash Plan
• Subsidised canteen and food outlets on campus
• Free on-site parking
• Campus location in beautiful countryside with social and sports clubs open to staff

The Franklin’s underlying aim is to produce the best science for research today, and this means resolutely embracing a diverse team, who have a wide range of experiences, skills and knowledge to push forward on the innovative work our institution delivers. Both our work and our institution are better for it. For further information, view our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy.

We are committed to creating an inclusive environment where every applicant has an equal opportunity to showcase their talents and abilities. This includes making adjustments for candidates with specific needs. Please contact us at [e-mail] to discuss your requirements confidentially.

At the Rosalind Franklin Institute we also welcome applications from all around the world!