Postdoctoral researcher in Single-Cell Microbiology of Bacterial Gene Expression

Fixed term for 48 months

We are seeking a Postdoctoral Research Assistant for the Gene Machines’ group, led by Prof Achilles Kapanidis. The group is well known for developing single-molecule and single-cell fluorescence methods (Uphoff PNAS 2013; Robb, Sci Reports 2019; Zagajewski, Nature Comm Biol 2023) and applying them to proteins functioning on DNA and RNA (Stracy, PNAS 2015; Mazumder, PNAS 2020; Mazumder, eLife 2021; El Sayyed et al Mol Cell 2024). The group recently moved in the new Kavli Institute for Nanoscience Discovery (https://kavlinano.ox.ac.uk/), a vibrant environment for interdisciplinary research at the interface of physical and biological sciences.

The project focuses on elucidating the mechanisms of gene transcription, by visualising the actual chemical reaction, its kinetics, and key conformational changes at the single-molecule level, and in real-time within the crowded environment of a living cell, with a particular interest in phase-separated assemblies. This approach will lead to new discoveries and insightful comparisons with in vitro studies, and help identify new steps for antibiotic development.

To achieve this exciting goal, you will prepare recombinant bacterial strains and perform in vivo single-molecule imaging and super-resolution microscopy of transcription proteins to capture the real-time transcription kinetics and the spatial organisation of transcription in living bacteria. You will employ an interdisciplinary approach that involves collaboration with a team of biologists, biophysicists and data scientists within the group. We are particularly interested in microbiologists excited about acquiring more microscopy skills and biophysics experience.

The ideal candidate should possess (or soon obtain) a doctorate in Microbiology, Biochemistry, Synthetic Biology, or related field, and have experience in DNA biochemistry, protein-DNA interactions, microbiology, modern cloning techniques, and quantitative cell imaging. Experience with bacterial transcription and fluorescence is highly desirable. Experience in particle tracking, single-molecule fluorescence, super-resolution imaging, and advanced image analysis is desirable, but not essential.

You should have excellent communication skills and enjoy working within an interdisciplinary group. You will manage academic and administrative activities, develop ideas for generating research income, collaborate on reports and journals, and have the opportunity to teach.

Please direct enquiries to Prof Kapanidis ([email protected])

Only applications received before midday 27th March 2024 can be considered. You will be required to upload a statement of research interests, CV, copies of two representative publications (or, alternatively, manuscripts in preparation) and details of three referees as part of your online application.