Postdoctoral Scientist

Overall purpose:

To work within the group of Dr. Sven Truckenbrodt at the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology (LMB), within a programme aimed at developing expansion microscopy technology and molecular imaging tools for synaptic-resolution brain mapping (“connectomics”) that integrates multimodal information to investigate how biological networks compute behaviour.

The goal of this project is to:

• Develop molecular readout technology for deep multimodal ‘omics dataset acquisition in optical connectomics.
• Develop expansion microscopy technology for optical connectomics.
• Acquire molecularly annotated connectomics datasets, in particular for Drosophila melanogaster but including additional model systems.

Main duties:

• To undertake research aimed at developing expansion microscopy technology and molecular imaging tools for synaptic-resolution brain mapping (“connectomics”).
• Design, timeline, and execute complex interlocking projects and tasks, with support from and in coordination with your supervisor.
• Develop multimodal molecular multiplexing technology in conjunction with expansion microscopy, including technology for fluorescence signal amplification, morphological pan-protein labelling, protein multiplexing, RNA multiplexing and other approaches. The goal is to combine readouts for multiple biomolecules within the same optical connectomics dataset.
• Develop new expansion microscopy chemistries specifically designed for optical connectomics and multimodal molecular brain mapping at scale.
• Perform expansion microscopy on Drosophila melanogaster brains (and other organisms and tissues, including mouse brains).
• Acquire multimodal connectomics datasets of Drosophila melanogaster (and other organisms, including mouse) via optical imaging of expanded samples.
• Acquire new skills and develop new technology that aids the goals of the project, from designing custom chemistries to running data analyses with coding tools.
• Analyse data from the multimodal datasets you produce (with support from imaging data engineers).
• To present scientific work at seminars within the laboratory and at external meetings.
• To contribute to laboratory-wide discussions on developments within the field.
• To draft scientific papers, and contribute to the overall preparation of research for publication.
• To contribute to the LMB’s mission in the public engagement of science, and the translation of research findings into improvements in health care.
• To assist in the training of PhD students and other members of the LMB.

Key responsibilities:

Within the overall direction of the programme, the group, the remit of the project and in discussion with the Group Leader, you will make a significant input into determining the direction of the project within a three-year lifespan.

To plan your own work and objectives on a 12-month basis and manage your experimental work within the project along with your Supervisor.

To work with limited supervision to identify, develop, modify and apply the necessary techniques to achieve the goals of the project.

To introduce and apply new techniques across a wide range of disciplines and to have the creativity and initiative to develop novel approaches and methods where required.

To ensure the research is carried out in accordance with good practice and in compliance with local policies and legal requirements.

To contribute to the smooth running of the group, including the effective use of resources, training of others and taking responsibility for use of communal facilities.

To enhance your research and generic skills through a tailored development programme.

Working relationships:

You will report to Dr. Sven Truckenbrodt and will interact and collaborate with other Postdoctoral Scientists, Research Support staff and students, not only in your group, but also across the LMB and with external groups as necessary.

Additional information:

This is a three-year training and development position for a Postdoctoral Scientist who has recently completed their doctoral studies, is moving into a new research discipline or has limited experience of key transferable skills. We support Postdoctoral Scientists with a range of formal and on-the-job…