Vita Solovyeva March 15, 2018

Deadline: 2018-04-30

Location: University of Birmingham - College of Medical and Dental Sciences, UK

External link: http://www.jobs.ac.uk/job/BIF660/research-fellow-58762/

Type: Postdoc

Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research

Postdoc on Single-Molecule Biophysics of G-protein Coupled Receptor Signalling

Full time, Fixed Term for 3 years with possibility of extension

A postdoc position is available in the Calebiro lab at the Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research (IMSR) and Centre of Membrane Proteins and Receptors (COMPARE), University of Birmingham (UK). Our group investigates the molecular mechanisms of signalling by G protein-coupled receptors, which mediate the effects of many hormones and neurotransmitters and are major drug targets. To this end, we develop innovative biophysical methods based on single-molecule microscopy and FRET (e.g. Calebiro et al. PNAS 2013; Godbole et al. Nat. Commun. 2017; Sungkaworn et al. Nature 2017).

We are seeking a highly motivated scientist to join our vibrant, dynamic and internationally-recognized interdisciplinary team of receptor pharmacologists, biophysicists, biologists, and computer scientists. The successful applicant will utilize and further develop innovative biophysical methods based on single-molecule microscopy to analyse the composition and dynamics of receptor signalling nanodomains in living cells. The results will be used to build a detailed mathematical model of the key events involved in GPCR desensitization, clustering and internalization and, ultimately, to develop novel pharmacological approaches for cardiovascular and endocrine diseases. The project will involve designing and carrying out single-molecule microscopy experiments as well as using and further developing computational algorithms in MATLAB to analyse particle-particle interactions and extract quantitative information from single-molecule videos.

Successful candidates will hold, or be in the process of completing a PhD in physics/biophysics, engineering, computer science and/or cell biology, have good knowledge of programming and, ideally, previous experience with advanced optical methods such as single-molecule microscopy and/or image analysis. Enthusiasm for interdisciplinary experimental research and a drive to learn new skills are essential for this position.

Skills & Experience

  • An excellent PhD in physics/biophysics, engineering, computer science and/or cell biology
  • Good knowledge of programming
  • Preferably, previous experience with advanced optical methods such as single-molecule microscopy and/or image analysis
  • Enthusiasm for interdisciplinary experimental research
  • Drive to learn new skills
  • High level analytical capability
  • Ability to communicate complex information clearly

Ability to assess resource requirements and use resources effectively