Postdoctoral Scientist (Imaging Data Engineer)
Salary £41,344 per annum pro rata
MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge, UK
The Molecular Brain Mapping research group at the MRC-LMB in Cambridge, UK, aims to solve fundamental questions of biological computation — particularly for complex mammalian brains. Our research maintains a strong focus on the brain’s hardware components: from circuits to synapses and molecular nano-anatomy.
In the group, we employ the new paradigm of “molecular connectomics.” We use expansion microscopy and other light microscopy tools to combine classical morphological neuron segmentation (albeit using light microscopy, not electron microscopy) with the vast toolboxes of molecular biology — from immunostainings to viral neuron barcoding and beyond. This adds previously inaccessible dimensions to brain mapping at synaptic resolution.
We are seeking a scientist-engineer excited about developing tools for handling and analysing large (tens to hundreds of terabytes) and highly multimodal brain imaging data sets. Your main focus will be to develop new tools to integrate, parse, analyse, and represent brain mapping datasets with an unprecedented number of information channels. In addition, your responsibilities may include data handling of these datasets — from image stitching to registration and morphological neuron segmentation. You will work closely with experimental scientists in designing the whole data acquisition and processing pipeline, from experiment design to image acquisition and analysis. The ideal candidate will have a master’s degree in neuroscience, molecular biology, biotechnology or a related discipline, or due to complete within 6 months.
Informal enquiries can be sent to the Neurobiology Divisional Administrator, skumari@mrc-lmb.cam.ac.uk.
This is a three-year training and development position suitable for you if you have recently completed your studies, or you are looking to move into a new research discipline and/or need to further develop your research skills. Working with our world class scientists you will be working in an Institute renowned for its excellent scientific facilities and high-quality research.
The LMB has a collaborative working culture and state-of-the-art building on the Cambridge Biomedical Campus. We have on-site parking, cycle enclosures and excellent public transport links to the site. We have a staff restaurant with roof terrace and access to a Campus nursery and sports and social facilities. You will be eligible to join our defined benefit pension scheme, a holiday entitlement of 40.5 days per annum (including bank holidays and privilege days) and a generous employee discount scheme. We are also committed to providing training and development opportunities including support towards role-related qualifications.
The LMB is a world-class research institute within UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). UKRI is nine research councils, working together across all disciplines and sectors. More information can be found at www.ukri.org and www.mrc-lmb.cam.ac.uk.
This role qualifies for endorsement by UKRI for a UK Global Talent Visa, for which the successful applicant is likely to be eligible to apply. Immigration costs (visa and health surcharge) can be reclaimed from UKRI after taking up the post (terms and conditions apply).
Closing date: 09/10/2025
It is anticipated that interviews will take place in October 2025.
Final appointments will be subject to a pre-employment screening.
We actively support equality, diversity and inclusion in all our activities, processes and culture. We encourage applications from all sections of society. The LMB particularly welcomes women, minority ethnic and disabled candidates to apply for this vacancy as they are currently under-represented. We are a disability inclusive employer and encourage disabled people to apply for this role. You are very welcome to contact us for information about the application process and any adjustments you may require; recruit@mrc-lmb.cam.ac.uk.
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