Research Fellow - AR3324

University of St Andrews; St Andrews; Hybrid; GBP 36,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

USS Pension Scheme

Hybrid working

Staff discount scheme

Free staff parking

Carshare and Cycle to Work schemes

Subsidised sports membership

Tuition fee reductions

LinkedIn Learning access

Job summary

University of St Andrews invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research Fellow to study zinc-dependent regulation of insulin multimerisation in pancreatic beta-cells. The role involves advanced fluorescence imaging, FRET, FLIM, and biophysical techniques to understand insulin behaviour in physiologically relevant systems.

The successful candidate will collaborate with colleagues at St Andrews and Dundee, contribute to data analysis, publications and conferences, and may supervise student

Qualifications

• PhD in a related field; near completion acceptable.
• Expertise in advanced fluorescence microscopy, single-molecule detection, live-cell imaging or related areas.
• Experience with quantitative biological sciences and cell signalling is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Investigate how zinc, pH, serum albumin and free fatty acids regulate insulin multimerisation, storage, release and signalling.
• Develop and apply fluorescence and imaging approaches including FRET, FLIM and live-cell microscopy.
• Contribute to data analysis, publication of results, conference presentations and supervision of students where appropriate.

Skills

Fluorescence microscopy

Live-cell imaging

Single-molecule detection

Protein biophysics

Cell signalling

Quantitative biology

Education

PhD in cell biology/biochemistry/biophysics/molecular biology/biomedical sciences or related

Tools

Genetic code expansion

Click chemistry

FRET-based assays

Fluorescence lifetime imaging (FLIM)

Job description

Applications are sought fora Postdoctoral Research Fellow to work with Dr Alan Stewart on a BBSRC-fundedproject entitled "Zinc-dependent regulation of insulin multimerisation in pancreaticbeta-cells and its implications for glycaemic control". The primary dutieswill be to investigate how zinc, pH, serum albumin and free fatty acidsregulate insulin multimerisation, storage, release and signalling, and howdisruption of these processes contributes to metabolic disease. The successfulcandidate will employ and develop advanced fluorescence and imaging approaches,including FRET-based assays, fluorescence lifetime imaging (FLIM), live-cellmicroscopy, site-specific bio-orthogonal protein labelling by genetic codeexpansion and click chemistry, alongside biochemical, biophysical and cellbiological techniques to study insulin behaviour in physiologically relevantsystems. The postholder will work closely with collaborators at the Universityof St Andrews, and the University of Dundee including an additional postdoctoralresearcher, and will contribute to data analysis, publication of results,presentation at scientific conferences, and the supervision of studentresearchers where appropriate.

The successful applicantwill have (or be near to completion of) a PhD in cell biology, biochemistry,biophysics, molecular biology, biomedical sciences, or a related discipline,with expertise in one or more of advanced fluorescence microscopy,single-molecule detection, live-cell imaging, protein biophysics, cellsignalling, or quantitative biological sciences.

St Andrews offers more than just a place to work it isa place to belong. We value collegiality, inclusion, and wellbeing, and we arecommitted to creating a workplace where staff can thrive and perform at theirbest.

In addition to the salary on offer for this position,there are a wide range of benefits for staff working at the University of StAndrews. The package for the Research Fellow includes:

• Financial contribution to relocation (subject to eligibility)
• Membership of the USS Pension Scheme with a generousemployer contribution of 14.5%
• A hybrid working environment, including partialhomeworking where appropriate and a range of family friendly policies,supporting work-life balance
• Staff discount scheme for local and national goods andservices
• Free staff parking, employee Carshare and Cycle toWork Schemes and subsidised local bus travel
• Subsidised sports membership, reduced tuition fees ondegree programmes for staff, access to training and development opportunitiesincluding LinkedIn Learning, access to library facilities, salary sacrificescheme

At St Andrews, equality,diversity, and inclusion are central to who we are and form a core pillar ofour University Strategy. We are committed to creating a fair, inclusive andsupportive workplace, reflected in our participation in national diversity chartersand awards, including Athena Swan, Carer Positive and the Race EqualityCharter.

We particularly welcomeapplications from people from Black, Asian, minority ethnic and minorityreligions backgrounds and from LGBTQ+ and disabled people.

Closing Date: 9 October 2026Interview Date: 26 October 2026

Start Date: 4 January 2027 or as soon as possible thereafter