The (the Franklin) is a technology institute established by the UK Government as a unique centre committed to advancing tools that are needed to transform healthcare in the future.
Our teams are aligned across a number of technology and life science challenges as part of our strategic focus, with scientists, technologists and software engineers working together in a multi-disciplinary and collaborative environment at our state-of-the-art research facility at Harwell in Oxfordshire. For more information on the Franklin’s Challenges .
The Multidimensional Imaging (MDI) Challenge team, led by Professor Angus Kirkland, leads pioneering research in advancing electron ptychography, liquid phase electron microscopy, electron spectroscopy and diffraction underpinned by a strong fundamental theoretical platform.
We are currently looking for a Research Associate to support Dr Kim's Technicolour Intracellular Space - Potential Mapping Using 4D STEM project.
Role Overview
Our team of physicists, engineers, biologists and mathematicians focuses on electron microscopy theory, method and technology development, and the successful applicant’s work will establish a method to add new dimensionality to cryoEM data using specimen potential maps. You will develop methods to detect potential gradients in cryogenic specimens to better understand the mechanisms of interaction between membranes, lipids and nucleic acid. In particular, mitochondrial diseases, lysosomal storage disease, and viral infection pathways require the visualisation of inherently insulating components and their contact points with organelles.
Although the impact to life sciences will be great, a candidate in this role will spend most of their time on the electron microscopy method development. This will involve analysis of their electron ptychographic or 4D STEM data sets collected on biological specimens provided by collaborators.
As a Research Associate at the Franklin, you will bring the scientific knowledge and skills needed to deliver a specific research project within a team delivering a research program. Through this work, you will build scientific independence, develop new science and leadership skills, and establish a growing external reputation. A team of scientists will support this activity enabling bids for future funding and career growth.
Applications are encouraged from candidates with experimental backgrounds in physics, material science, biophysics, structural biology or related disciplines with an interest and experience of advanced EM methods. You will have access to state-of-the-art instrumentation, including: a double aberration-corrected 300kV Cryo (S)TEM, two 300kV conventional Cryo TEMs, three Cryo Dual beam FIBs and a 300kV chromatically corrected TEM for fast in situ observations alongside advanced sample preparation and computational facilities.
Projects Keywords
Transmission Electron Microscopy, 4D STEM, Electron Ptychography, Structural Biology, Integrated Centre of Mass, CryoEM, Intracellular Interactions