Job Description

Overall purpose:

To work within the group of Dr. Sven Truckenbrodt at the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology (LMB), within a programme aimed at developing expansion microscopy technology and molecular imaging tools for synaptic-resolution brain mapping (“connectomics”) that integrates multimodal information to investigate how biological networks compute behaviour.

The goal of this project is to:
• Develop molecular readout technology for deep multimodal ‘omics dataset acquisition in optical connectomics.
• Develop expansion microscopy technology for optical connectomics.
• Acquire molecularly annotated connectomics datasets, in particular for Drosophila melanogaster but including additional model systems.

Main duties:

• To undertake research aimed at developing expansion microscopy technology and molecular imaging tools for synaptic-resolution brain mapping (“connectomics”).
• Design, timeline, and execute complex interlocking projects and tasks, with support from and in coordination with your supervisor.
• Develop multimodal molecular multiplexing technology in conjunction with expansion microscopy, including technology for fluorescence signal amplification, morphological pan-protein labelling, protein multiplexing, RNA multiplexing and other approaches. The goal is to combine readouts for multiple biomolecules within the same optical connectomics dataset.
• Develop new expansion microscopy chemistries specifically designed for optical connectomics and multimodal molecular brain mapping at scale.
• Perform expansion microscopy on Drosophila melanogaster brains (and other organisms and tissues, including mouse brains).
• Acquire multimodal connectomics datasets of Drosophila melanogaster (and other organisms, including mouse) via optical imaging of expanded samples.
• Acquire new skills and develop new technology that aids the goals of the project, from designing custom chemistries to running data analyses with coding tools.
• Analyse data from the multimodal datasets you produce (with support from imaging data engineers).
• To present scientific work at seminars within the laboratory and at external meetings.
• To contribute to laboratory-wide discussions on developments within the field.
• To draft scientific papers, and contribute to the overall preparation of research for publication.
• To contribute to the LMB’s mission in the public engagement of science, and the translation of research findings into improvements in health care.
• To assist in the training of PhD students and other members of the LMB.

Key responsibilities:

Within the overall direction of the programme, the group, the remit of the project and in discussion with the Group Leader, you will make a significant input into determining the direction of the project within a three-year lifespan.

To plan your own work and objectives on a 12-month basis and manage your experimental work within the project along with your Supervisor.

To work with limited supervision to identify, develop, modify and apply the necessary techniques to achieve the goals of the project.

To introduce and apply new techniques across a wide range of disciplines and to have the creativity and initiative to develop novel approaches and methods where required.

To ensure the research is carried out in accordance with good practice and in compliance with local policies and legal requirements.

To contribute to the smooth running of the group, including the effective use of resources, training of others and taking responsibility for use of communal facilities.

To enhance your research and generic skills through a tailored development programme.

Working relationships:

You will report to Dr. Sven Truckenbrodt and will interact and collaborate with other Postdoctoral Scientists, Research Support staff and students, not only in your group, but also across the LMB and with external groups as necessary.

Additional information:

This is a three-year training and development position for a Postdoctoral Scientist who has recently completed their doctoral studies, is moving into a new research discipline or has limited experience of key transferable skills. We support Postdoctoral Scientists with a range of formal and on-the-job training, including:
• MRC training courses.
• External training and personal development courses.
• One-to-one training with your Supervisor and other Scientists.

You will commit to undertaking the following:
• Developing and following a personal development plan.
• Attending training courses.
• Identifying additional training which will support you to develop your career.

Person Specification

Academic qualifications:

A PhD in neuroscience, molecular biology, biotechnology or a related field, or due to be completed within 6 months.

Technical skills and expertise:

Essential
• Evidence of having independently planned and executed research projects in neuroscience, molecular biology, or a related field.
• Broad experience with multiple molecular biology tools (e.g. immunostaining, PCR, Western blot, RNAseq, etc.).
• Experience with light and fluorescence microscopy (e.g. spinning disk, confocal, light sheet, etc.).
• Experience with expansion microscopy or polymer chemistry or general organic and anorganic chemistry.
• Experience in technology development for molecular biology research tools (not necessarily in the field of connectomics, the mindset of building tools to unlock access to new biological questions is what’s important).

Desirable
• Experience with optical super-resolution modalities (e.g. STED, STORM, etc.).
• Knowledgeable about invertebrate (particularly Drosophila melanogaster) and mammalian (particularly mouse) brain organisation, neurophysiology and behaviour.
• Experience with image analysis tools (ImageJ, Huygens, etc.).
• Experience with computational tools such as Python and MATLAB (having used these tools is great, having built with them is even better).

Track record of research:

You can present evidence of successfully executing research or tool development projects independently, or evidence of contributing significantly to the success of such projects. This evidence can be in the form of scientific manuscripts, references, open-source projects or datasets, tool repositories (e.g. GitHub), or any other relevant evidence.

Additional information:

The Molecular Brain Mapping research group:
• We are a newly established group that aims to connect three areas in neuroscience: connectomics, molecular physiology and behaviour. We believe that this integration of fields is necessary to understand how biological computation works, from processing environmental inputs to producing internal sensation and generating behavioural output.
o Connectomics. We use expansion microscopy and morphological segmentation of neurons to map the circuits involved in these processes at synaptic resolution.
o Molecular Physiology. We use a variety of molecular readout tools to understand how these circuits work, from cell identity to the nanoscale architecture of synapses.
o Behaviour. We use behavioural paradigms to develop and test hypotheses.
• The central tool of our group is expansion microscopy — it allows us to bridge the worlds of connectomics and molecular physiology. Expansion microscopy allows us to obtain multimodal information at nanoscale resolution: from cellular morphology (akin to EM reconstructions) to neuronal barcoding, protein multiplexing, and other modalities. The datasets we can generate using this technology are uniquely rich in information. Applicants are required to submit a full CV and covering letter.

Corporate Responsibilities

You must at all times carry out your responsibilities with due regard to the UKRI:
• Code of Conduct
• Equality, Diversity and Inclusion policy
• Health and Safety policy
• Data Protection policy

s should be reviewed on a regular basis and at the annual appraisal. Any changes should be made and agreed between you and your manager.

The above lists are not exhaustive and you are required to undertake such duties as may reasonably be requested within the scope of the post. All employees are required to act professionally, co-operatively and flexibly in line with the requirements of the post, the MRC and UKRI.

The role holder will be required to have the appropriate level of security screening/vetting required for the role. UKRI reserves the right to run or re-run security clearance as required during the course of employment.

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Disability Confident Employer

As users of the disability confident scheme, any candidate who opts into the scheme and best meets the essential criteria, will be shortlisted for interview. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

How to apply

Online applications only preferred for this role. Please submit a CV and covering letter which clearly outlines how you fulfil the criteria specified along with your motivation for UKRI and the role. Ensure that the job reference number is included in the filename description of each document uploaded. Note that failure to address the above criteria or submit an application without a covering letter may result in the application not being considered. Assessment will only be based upon the content of your submitted covering letter and CV and not the ‘experience’ section of the application.

UKRI seeks to ensure it creates and maintains a system of openness, fairness and inclusion – a collaborative, trusted environment, which is attractive to and accessible to everyone who is interested in developing their career with us.

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be rejected and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action.

As part of the pre-employment checks there is a requirement to undergo Baseline Personnel Security Screening. BPSS is a pre-condition of employment and failure to achieve it may mean that the employment offer is rescinded. UKRI reserves the right to run, or re-run, security clearance as required during the course of employment.