Postdoctoral Research Associate in Physical Chemistry

Postdoctoral Research Associate in Physical Chemistry

Durham University

Durham University is one of the world's top universities with strengths across the Arts and Humanities, Sciences and Social Sciences. We are home to some of the most talented scholars and researchers from around the world who are tackling global issues and making a difference to people's lives.

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Durham University seeks to promote and maintain an inclusive and supportive environment for work and study that assists all members of our University community to reach their full potential. Diversity brings strength and we welcome applications from across the international, national, and regional communities that we work with and serve.

The Department

Durham Chemistry is one of the very best UK chemistry departments with an outstanding reputation for excellence in teaching, research and employability of our students. Our research spans the range of organic, inorganic, physical and theoretical chemistry.

Find out more about our vibrant community here Chemistry Department - Durham University

The Role
Applications are invited for a Postdoctoral Research Associate in Physical Chemistry:

Job Description:  Circularly Polarised Luminescence Laser Scanning Confocal Microscopy: a high-resolution live-cell research tool for the study of chiral molecular interactions and temperature mapping

Marginal organelle specific intra-cellular temperature changes often signal the early onset of life-altering diseases, such as cancer or acute mitochondrial disorder. These currently cannot be monitored and there is also no optical microscopy technique that enables the bio-imaging community to study chiral molecular interactions based on chiroptical (chiral optical) activity. With our unique expertise, we seek to address this by combining lanthanide coordination chemistry and a versatile new instrumental design. Once fully developed and validated it could open new horizons towards disease progression studies.
Temperature variations occur in cell division, gene expression, enzymatic reactions and natural cell metabolism. They may also signal the onset of pathological states and dysfunctions. The accurate monitoring of intracellular temperature may enable a better understanding of complex cellular events and aid the detection of diseases at the cellular level, allowing new methods of early diagnosis and therapy to be developed.
The proposed project will harness the phenomenon of Circularly Polarised Luminescence (CPL), where different enantiomers of the same chemical entity produce different handedness (left or right) of light. Luminescent lanthanide complexes have been shown to possess a remarkably unique photophysical property, where the ratio of their left- and right-handed luminescence is extremely sensitive to the temperature of their surroundings. Therefore, these could be exploited as high precision intracellular temperature probes.
Our newly developed all solid-state CPL spectrometer (Nat. Commun. 2020 ) is a paradigm shift in CPL spectroscopy, and due to its small size and versatility, it enables truly widespread application. Adapting this technique into a high spatial (optical precision) and temporal (acquisition speed) resolution microscope setup is straightforward due to our expertise and track record in instrument development. Therefore, we propose to finalise (Nat. Commun. 2022 ) and validate the world's first Confocal Laser Scanning CPL Microscope (CPL-LSCM). We are fully aware that deep tissue imaging using conventional optical microscopy is challenging. Hence, we also plan to incorporate low energy, biologically safe Near Infra-Red (NIR) multiphoton activation (MP) to increase the observable depth of tissue. It will enable unprecedented live-cell enantioselective chiroptical microscopy and provides immense scientific value, opening new horizons for studying and tracking emissive chiral molecules, both endogenous and engineered bio-probes.
Our pioneering work could shed light on the previously unexplored biochemical processes that fundamentally underpin life and life-threatening disease progressions.

Requirements
The post-holder will have specific responsibility for the following areas of research:
 

a) Design and development of novel optical instrumentation for CPL detection;
b) Assist in the synthesis of CPL active Ln(III) complexes based on a 12N4 or 9N3 macrocyclic systems;
c) Photophysical characterisation and CPL spectroscopy;
d) Live-cell imaging studies of selected complexes;
e) Imaging software and protocol development parallel to microscope build.  

The post-holder will report to Prof. Robert Pal and will liaise closely newly recruited PhD student accompanying this position and its research aims.

He/she will provide assistance in the organization of review meetings, contributing to overseeing organisational issues in the research group, and the running of group activities and already available optical microscopy and spectroscopy suite. He/she may be asked to assist with the training and supervision of PhD students (and final-year undergraduate project MSc students) as appropriate.

Responsibilities

• Primary technical responsibilities include the following: Strong physical chemistry background preferably in optical instrumentation. Extensive knowledge in optical microscopy and relevant spectroscopy background. Knowledge in CPL spectroscopy and live-cell culturing experience is desired but not mandatory.
• Contribute independent ideas to the direction of research projects.
• Develop detailed programmes of work and assess progress against the work plan.
• Custom synthetic protocol establishment for luminescent CPL active metal complexes and associated separation techniques.
• Develop imaging protocols and methodologies with associated health and safety documentation relevant to projects and adhere to local safety regulations and safe working practices.
• Keep comprehensive, accessible, secure records of experimental work, data and results.
• Contribute to the induction and direction of other research staff and students, including final-year undergraduate project students, as requested.
• Be responsible for ensuring that equipment relating to the project is safe and maintained in working order.
• Prepare research reports; participate in scheduled face-to-face meetings including presentation of research results and provide progress reports where required.
• Give research presentations to national and international conferences.
• Write or assist with the preparation of papers for publication in international journals and conference proceedings.
• To undertake other duties commensurate with the post as requested by the Research Supervisor and to contribute to the overall activities of the research team and department as required.
• Liaise effectively with all members of the research team, and the technical and research support staff.
• Travel to other partner sites / facilities as necessary for the project.

This post is fixed term for a period of 36 months

The post-holder is employed to work on a research project which will be led by another colleague. Whilst this means that the post-holder will not be carrying out independent research in his/her own right, the expectation is that they will contribute to the advancement of the project, through the development of their own research ideas/adaptation and development of research protocols.

Successful applicants will, ideally, be in post no later than 1st January 2023. 

The Requirements

Essential:

Qualifications

Experience

Skills

Desirable:

Experience and Skills

How to Apply

For informal enquiries please contact [Professor Rob Pal [email protected] ].  All enquiries will be treated in the strictest confidence. 

We prefer to receive applications online via the Durham University Vacancies Site. https://www.dur.ac.uk/jobs/ . As part of the application process, you should provide details of 3 (preferably academic/research) referees and the details of your current line manager so that we may seek an employment reference.

Applications are particularly welcome from women and black and minority ethnic candidates, who are under-represented in academic posts in the University.

What to Submit

All applicants are asked to submit:

Next Steps

The assessment for the post will include a review of qualifications and experience, a presentation on prior experience and an interview. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for interview and assessment.