Research Associate (79257)
 

Salary Range: £31,076 - £32,004 (restricted due to funding)
FTE: 1.0
Term: Fixed (until 31 December 2018)
Closing Date: 11 August 2017

We are seeking a highly qualified and ambitious candidate for a position as Research Associate joint between the Department of Physics and the Strathclyde Institute for Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences at the University of Strathclyde. The project is funded by the BBSRC and involves the development and application of a new super-resolution imaging method based on a standing wave.

We have recently reported a standing wave method of fluorescence imaging to map the surface of the cell membrane with super-resolution in depth, using a method that is almost cost-free to implement in a biomedical sciences laboratory with standard resource and infrastructure (https://www.nature.com/articles/srep07359). In our standing-wave work, we reported live cell imaging with an axial resolution of around 90 nm. This is comparable to other super-resolution techniques, but because we generate multi-planar images, we can readily obtain 3D information on the specimen at this resolution.

The essence of this position is to add to this standing-wave work a new method which we call ‘TartanSW’ (because of the similarity of the coloured fringe patterns to textile patterns). A contour map without heights marked on the lines is of little value, but we have discovered that by using multiple wavelength narrowband detection we can recognize the order of the standing wave antinodes by their colours and so tell the difference between hills and valleys.

The appointed Research Associate will first develop a simple imaging microscope system, capable of recording multiple wavelengths simultaneously at speeds of up to 100 images per second, to provide super-resolved 3D information on cell structure and then extend the TartanSW imaging to individual red cells prepared with a fluorescent label that stains the cell membrane. Based on our preliminary work we expect to be able to detect very tiny but high-speed changes in the structure of the red cell membrane. We will also apply the method to study the highly dynamic skeletal structure of neurones and follow the growth of the cell edge over time.

We will also perform TartanSW imaging with the Mesolens, a new giant objective lens that is capable of imaging large tissue specimens with sub-cellular resolution and which is at present unique to Strathclyde. Following our first peer-reviewed journal publication in eLife (https://elifesciences.org/content/5/e18659), the development of the Mesolens was recognised by the Institute of Physics as one of the Top Ten Breakthroughs in Physics in 2016. By applying TartanSW with the Mesolens, it will be possible to image hundreds of cells at even higher 3D resolution than the Mesolens can manage at present. We will apply TartanSW mesoscopy to study the same red cell and neurone specimens described previously, and in imaging hundreds of cells with high resolution simultaneously we expect it will be easier to detect rare events or abnormal cells that may indicate onset of disease.

We are seeking a Research Associate to adapt an existing microscope and Mesolens using new hardware and software to support standing wave microscopy and mesoscopy, and to apply these for cell imaging. This will involve basic opto-mechanics and optical alignment, the preparation of model and cell specimens, performing TartanSW microscopy and mesoscopy, and analysing and preparing data for publication.

We are looking for an excellent and highly motivated candidate with a good Honours degree and PhD (or equivalent professional experience) in appropriate discipline (e.g. cell biology, biophysics, neuroscience, cardiovascular science). We expect dedication and enthusiasm for research combined with good oral and written communication skills, openness and curiosity, and the ability and willingness to work in a multidisciplinary research team.

For informal enquiries, please contact Professor Gail McConnell, Chair of Biophotonics, at g.mcconnell@strath.ac.uk or on 0141 548 4805.

Interviews for the post have been scheduled for 24 August 2017.

Click here for full details.
Faculty
Faculty of Science
Department/School
Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences
Staff Category
Research
Type of Employment
Fixed-term
Working Hours
Full-time
Vacancy Description
 
Salary Range: £31,076 - £32,004 (restricted due to funding)
FTE: 1.0
Term: Fixed (until 31 December 2018)
Closing Date: 11 August 2017

We are seeking a highly qualified and ambitious candidate for a position as Research Associate joint between the Department of Physics and the Strathclyde Institute for Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences at the University of Strathclyde. The project is funded by the BBSRC and involves the development and application of a new super-resolution imaging method based on a standing wave.

We have recently reported a standing wave method of fluorescence imaging to map the surface of the cell membrane with super-resolution in depth, using a method that is almost cost-free to implement in a biomedical sciences laboratory with standard resource and infrastructure (https://www.nature.com/articles/srep07359). In our standing-wave work, we reported live cell imaging with an axial resolution of around 90 nm. This is comparable to other super-resolution techniques, but because we generate multi-planar images, we can readily obtain 3D information on the specimen at this resolution.

The essence of this position is to add to this standing-wave work a new method which we call ‘TartanSW’ (because of the similarity of the coloured fringe patterns to textile patterns). A contour map without heights marked on the lines is of little value, but we have discovered that by using multiple wavelength narrowband detection we can recognize the order of the standing wave antinodes by their colours and so tell the difference between hills and valleys.

The appointed Research Associate will first develop a simple imaging microscope system, capable of recording multiple wavelengths simultaneously at speeds of up to 100 images per second, to provide super-resolved 3D information on cell structure and then extend the TartanSW imaging to individual red cells prepared with a fluorescent label that stains the cell membrane. Based on our preliminary work we expect to be able to detect very tiny but high-speed changes in the structure of the red cell membrane. We will also apply the method to study the highly dynamic skeletal structure of neurones and follow the growth of the cell edge over time.

We will also perform TartanSW imaging with the Mesolens, a new giant objective lens that is capable of imaging large tissue specimens with sub-cellular resolution and which is at present unique to Strathclyde. Following our first peer-reviewed journal publication in eLife (https://elifesciences.org/content/5/e18659), the development of the Mesolens was recognised by the Institute of Physics as one of the Top Ten Breakthroughs in Physics in 2016. By applying TartanSW with the Mesolens, it will be possible to image hundreds of cells at even higher 3D resolution than the Mesolens can manage at present. We will apply TartanSW mesoscopy to study the same red cell and neurone specimens described previously, and in imaging hundreds of cells with high resolution simultaneously we expect it will be easier to detect rare events or abnormal cells that may indicate onset of disease.

We are seeking a Research Associate to adapt an existing microscope and Mesolens using new hardware and software to support standing wave microscopy and mesoscopy, and to apply these for cell imaging. This will involve basic opto-mechanics and optical alignment, the preparation of model and cell specimens, performing TartanSW microscopy and mesoscopy, and analysing and preparing data for publication.

We are looking for an excellent and highly motivated candidate with a good Honours degree and PhD (or equivalent professional experience) in appropriate discipline (e.g. cell biology, biophysics, neuroscience, cardiovascular science). We expect dedication and enthusiasm for research combined with good oral and written communication skills, openness and curiosity, and the ability and willingness to work in a multidisciplinary research team.

For informal enquiries, please contact Professor Gail McConnell, Chair of Biophotonics, at g.mcconnell@strath.ac.uk or on 0141 548 4805.

Interviews for the post have been scheduled for 24 August 2017.

Click here for full details.