View Vacancy -- Postdoctoral Scientist - Neurobiology - Dr Sven Truckenbrodt - LMB 2698

The MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology (LMB) is one of the birthplaces of modern molecular biology and has played an important role in the development of many new techniques, most notably protein crystallography, cryo-electron microscopy, DNA sequencing and monoclonal antibodies. The LMB has a clear goal of understanding biological processes at the molecular level, with the ultimate aim of using this knowledge to tackle specific problems in human health and disease. We aim to tackle difficult, long-term problems, which often require investment over many years.

There are four scientific Divisions - Structural Studies, Protein and Nucleic Acid Chemistry, Cell Biology and Neurobiology. However, scientific collaboration between the different Divisions is extensive. Scientists are well supported by excellent scientific facilities and by the LMB Operations Group which maintains the core infrastructure and services of the institute.

The LMB provides an unsurpassed environment for both new and established researchers. Scientists are drawn to the LMB from all over the world, thus creating a lively and international community for the exchange of ideas and technical innovation.

Overall purpose: 

To work within the Molecular Brain Mapping research group of Dr Sven Truckenbrodt at the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology (LMB), within a programme aimed at connecting brain mapping (“connectomics”), molecular physiology, and behaviour to understand how biological computation works, from processing environmental inputs to producing internal sensation and generating behavioural output.

The goal of this project is to:
•    Generate multimodal connectomics datasets (e.g. integrating neuronal morphology, characterization of synapses by neurotransmitters and receptors, and viral barcoding).
•    Develop molecular readout technology to aid in generating data that answers long-standing biological questions.
•    Use molecular connectomics datasets abundant in multimodal information to make discoveries on how biological computation controls animal behaviour.

Main duties:

•    Design, timeline, and execute complex interlocking projects and tasks, with support from and in coordination with your supervisor.
•    Perform expansion microscopy on mouse brain slices (and other organisms and tissues).
•    Perform multimodal molecular multiplexing experiments on expanded samples, including immunostainings, signal amplification, morphological pan-protein labelling, lipid readouts, RNA readouts, and others. You will routinely combine multiple of these modalities in the same dataset.
•    Analyse data from the multimodal datasets you produce (with support from imaging data engineers).
•    Develop and perform simple behavioural paradigms for mice, e.g. spatial orientation learning tasks and reward/fear conditioning.
•    Acquire new skills and develop new technology that aids the goals of the project, from designing custom chemistries to running automated data analyses with coding tools.
•    Travel internationally to learn and teach at workshops or with collaborators, and to present data at scientific conferences.
•    Contribute to the LMB’s mission in the public engagement of science, and the translation of research findings into improvements in health care.
•    Assist in the training of PhD students and other members of the LMB.
•    To draft scientific papers, and contribute to the overall preparation of research for publication.

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.

Academic qualifications:

A PhD in neuroscience, molecular biology, biotechnology or a related field, or due to complete within 6 months, or evidence of equivalent experience and qualifications.

Technical skills and expertise:

Essential
•    Evidence of having independently planned and executed research projects in neuroscience, molecular biology, or a related field.
•    Experience with molecular biology tools (e.g. immunostaining, PCR, Western blot, RNAseq, etc.).
•    Experience with light and fluorescence microscopy (e.g. spinning disk, confocal, etc.).
•    Experience with behavioural research paradigms, particularly in mice.

Desirable
•    Experience with optical super-resolution modalities (e.g. STED, STORM, etc.).
•    Experience with expansion microscopy or polymer chemistry.
•    Experience in technology development for biological research (not necessarily in the field of connectomics, the mindset of building tools to unlock access to new biological questions is what’s important).
•    Knowledgeable about mammalian brain organisation, particularly in mice, and some experience with tools such as the Allen Brain Atlas.
•    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, public projects, data or tool repositories (e.g. GitHub), or any other relevant evidence.

Other relevant evidence of: 

•    You are drawn to research questions that cross traditional discipline boundaries, and you are comfortable with high-risk projects.
•    You are excited about working in an environment that imports tools for project management and communication practiced in start-up and industry environments into an academic setting.
•    You are motivated to learn new technologies and skills and recognize that this is a life-long process necessary for tackling tough research questions.
•    You are enthusiastic about tackling large projects collaboratively that would not be possible for individual scientists embedded into a traditional academic environment, because you believe that sharing credit for a highly impactful project can be both more rewarding scientifically and more impactful for your career.
•    You enjoy working with people who are different from yourself, and who bring diverse perspectives to the table that may challenge your own assumptions.

Additional information: 

The Molecular Brain Mapping research group:
•    We are a new lab that aims to connect three fields — brain mapping, 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    We use morphological segmentation to map the circuits involved in these processes.
    o    We use a variety of molecular readouts and tools to understand how these circuits work, all the way from cell identity to the nanoscale architecture of synapses.
    o    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 brain mapping 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. 

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

Job descriptions 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.