Deadline: 2018-04-25
Location: Newcastle, UK
External link: http://www.jobs.ac.uk/job/BHZ260/research-assistant-associate-a111202r/
Type: Postdoc
What scientific question will you investigate?
Bacteria are surrounded by a net-like cell wall which opposes the cells high internal turgor pressure. In order to divide, bacteria must cut the cell wall in two without bursting – arguably the most complex mechanistic task that the cell faces. Our recent study, Science 355 739-743 (2017),redefined our understanding of bacterial cell division in Gram positive Bacillus subtilis using advanced microscopy, revealing a highly dynamic multi-protein division complex where individual treadmilling cytoskeletal filaments drive and control mid-cell constriction. However, we do not know how this motile complex works on a mechanistic level. You will use single molecule tracking and advanced fluorescence microscopy to reveal how this motile cytoskeleton-synthesis complex works as a molecular machine.
Is this project right for you?
We are looking for someone passionate about using quantitative microscopy to answer biological questions. This could a single molecule biophysicist (experience in bacterial systems not required), a bacterial cell biologist (preferably with experience in advanced microscopy), or someone with other relevant experience.
About our lab
Our interdisciplinary lab investigates fundamental principles of bacterial spatial organization (https://blogs.ncl.ac.uk/seamusholden/). To achieve this we develop novel experimental methods based on single molecule & super-resolution microscopy, microfabrication and microfluidics. E.g.: Science 355 739-743 (2017), PNAS 111 4566-4571 (2014), eLife e18647 (2016).
Name of supervisor
Dr Seamus Holden, Centre for Bacterial Cell Biology, Newcastle University
Contract duration: 3 years
Eligibility Criteria
You must have, or expect to achieve, a PhD in a relevant field.
Apply online: http://www.jobs.ac.uk/job/BHZ260/research-assistant-associate-a111202r/
Contact
For informal enquiries, with CV, please email Dr Seamus Holden (seamus.holden@ncl.ac.uk).