REANNOUNCEMENT - Postdoc Position in Biophysics and Quantitative Imaging of Intracellular Transport

Updated: about 2 years ago
Deadline: 28 Feb 2022

A postdoc position is available in the group of Associate Professor Daniel Wüstner at the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology , University of Southern Denmark, Odense. Invited are applications from outstanding postdoc candidates with a keen interest in applying optical microscopy and quantitative imaging to understand the biophysical mechanisms underlying intracellular transport processes. The position is initially for two years and becomes available from March 2022 or shortly thereafter. Application deadline: 28 February 2022.

Research team and environment
The Wüstner group integrates quantitative fluorescence microscopy and bioimage informatics with biophysics and cell biology to study transport processes in living cells. A major focus of the group is on trafficking of cholesterol and other sterols in relation to human diseases, in particular neurodegenerative diseases (see e.g. Juhl et al. 2021, Chem. Phys. Lipids 235, 105047 and Sci. Reports. 11,22). Other areas of interest include development of novel quantitative fluorescence imaging methods to discern binding and diffusion processes at the molecular level (see e.g. Hansen et al. 2018, Sci. Reports. 8, 1387), characterization of lipid binding proteins (see e.g. Moesgaard et al., 2018, Biochemistry 59, 4407) and rational design and application of novel fluorescent probes for bioimaging applications (see e.g. Bonvicini et al., 2019, Phys. Chem. Chem.Phys. 21, 15487).

The Wüstner group is part of the Danish Molecular Biomedical Imaging Center (DaMBIC) and the Nikon Center of Excellence in Microscopy at the University of Southern Denmark, housing state-of-the art equipment for advanced bioimaging applications, including wide field, confocal and multiphoton microscopy, stimulated emission depletion (STED) microscopy, stochastic optical reconstruction microscopy (STORM) and coherent antistokes Raman scattering (CARS) microscopy. The research team is part of the Physical Life Science (PhyLife) network, which integrates different research groups working in experimental and computational biophysics of cellular processes.

The Wüstner group is also very active in the field of bioimage analysis, both in its research and through national and international collaborations. The team is participating in the eScience Center of the university giving access to supercomputer facilities, such as Abacus 2.0. The group also houses several workstations equipped with latest hardware for implementing deep learning and other machine learning approaches into image analysis pipelines.

The Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the University of Southern Denmark also houses world-class expertise and instrumentation in mass spectrometry, single cell analysis, proteomics and genomics, and interaction with those groups is envisioned and supported.

Research project and roles of the candidate
As a postdoc in the Wüstner group you will be engaged in a highly ambitious project aimed at determining lipid trafficking pathways across in-vitro models of the blood brain barrier and their regulation. Using quantitative live-cell imaging, multiphoton and super-resolution microscopy, a 3D map of lipid transport pathways across brain endothelial cells will be generated. Based on this data, the project aims at developing a detailed computational model of lipid trafficking across the blood-brain barrier, which allows for studying altered transport in neurodegenerative diseases. 

You will interact and collaborate closely with other researchers in the Wüstner group as well as with members of the other research groups within PhyLife and the department.

Qualifications/requirements
We are looking for highly motivated, dedicated, and ambitious candidates with:

  • A PhD degree in Biophysics, Biochemistry, Chemistry, or a closely related field.
  • Documented experience with use of advanced microscopy instrumentation, such as multiphoton or super-resolution microscopy, single molecule imaging and/or expansion microscopy.
  • Documented experience with bioimage analysis and/or statistical programming (e.g. ImageJ, Python, MatLab or similar).
  • Experience in working with mammalian cell culture, fluorescence labeling etc., preferentially of neuronal cells and in co-culture systems.
  • Strong communication and collaborative skills and an interest in working in an interdisciplinary environment.
  • Proficiency in spoken and written English.
  • Experience with conducting and publishing independent scientific research.

 We offer

  • A two-year postdoctoral position in a stimulating and supportive, international research environment.
  • Access to state-of-the-art equipment, facilities and infrastructure for optical microscopy, image analysis, cell biology and molecular biology.
  • Opportunity to interact with an extensive network of national and international collaborators.
  • A competitive salary and social benefits (e.g. health coverage, parental leave, social security etc.).
  • Dedicated assistance and support with various practical, social, and legal aspects (housing, visa, administration, tax etc.), especially for international candidates through our international staff office (ISO) and department.

For further information please contact Associate Professor Daniel Wüstner ([email protected] ).

Application, salary etc.
The successful applicant will be employed in accordance with the agreement between the Ministry of Finance and AC (the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations). Please check links for more information on salary  and taxation .

The application must include the following:
• A curriculum vitae including information on previous employment.
• A full list of publications stating the scientific publications on which the applicant wishes to rely.

Shortlisting may be used in the assessment process.

Incomplete applications and applications received after the deadline will neither be considered nor evaluated.

To qualify you must have passed a PhD or equivalent. Applications will be assessed by an expert assessor/committee. Applicants will be informed of their assessment by the university.

The University wishes our staff to reflect the diversity of society and thus welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background.

Applications must be submitted electronically using the link "Apply online". Attached files must be in Adobe PDF or Word format. Each box can only contain a single file of max. 10 Mb. We strongly recommend that you read How to apply before you apply.

Further information for international applicants about entering and working in Denmark.



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