Postdoctoral Fellow

Job title:

Postdoctoral Fellow

Company

Job description

The overarching goal of our lab is to study how functional organs are built to sustain life during embryonic development. This is a long-standing problem in biology with significant implications for tissue engineering and birth defects. To solve this fundamental problem, we use a well-suited model system, the developing zebrafish heart, as it is amenable to state-of-art optical, biophysical, genetic manipulations. We take a systems biology approach by integrating tools from tissue mechanics, developmental genetics, transcriptomics, biophysics and predictive theoretical modelling.Using these approaches, we dissect the morphogenesis of a complex organ like heart at exceptional details, in the physiological context of a living embryo.A key step during vertebrate heart development is chamber maturation – a poorly-understood morphogenetic process critical for heart function. During this process, the myocardial wall of ventricle and atrium transforms from a single-layered epithelium into a complex 3D topological meshwork architecture. In ventricle, this meshwork-like structures are called trabeculae, while in atrium they are referred to as pectinate fibers. Anomalous morphology and patterning of these structures lead to embryonic lethality and cardiomyopathies in human. Yet, cellular and physical mechanisms shaping myocardial meshwork remains ill-understood. Combining the excellent tractability of zebrafish with interdisciplinary approaches, some of the fundamental questions we seek to address are:1) How cell mechanics, shape, and polarity regulate its fate choices during heart development?2) How tissue geometry spatially constrains proliferation and delamination – by dissecting the role of extracellular matrix (ECM) remodelling, fluid mechanics and mechanochemical pathways (feedback between Yap/Taz, ERK and Notch signalling).3) How 3D topological trabecular meshwork is shaped and constrained during development and how it supports heart function?4) Why and how atrium morphogenesis is differently regulated from ventricle – by dissecting the underlying cell mechanics, differential ECM regulation, fluid dynamics and genetic pathways.The suitable candidate will address one of these questions by using advanced microscopic techniques, image analysis, genetic/optical manipulations, biophysical approaches and in collaboration with theoreticians. The specific details and aims of the project will be driven by the candidate’s interest and training. Candidates with a strong background in advanced imaging approaches, image analysis techniques, tissue morphogenesis/mechanics are encouraged to apply.Key responsibilities

• The post holder should embody and demonstrate our core Crick values – bold, imaginative, open, dynamic and collegial.
• Lead their own projects and contribute to other projects on a collaborative basis (both in the lab and with external collaborators)
• Providing specialist advice and share knowledge and expertise with the lab
• Develops new tools and techniques
• Guide and train PhD students and new lab members in their research
• Willingness to actively contribute to a productive and positive lab atmosphere

Key experience and competenciesThe interested candidate should be keen in pursuing collaborative research, should be a good team player and should convey clearly in their application why they are interested in the lab’s research program.Essential

• PhD in cell biology or developmental biology or in the final stages of PhD submission
• Strong expertise in advanced confocal and/or light sheet imaging
• Strong expertise in quantitative image analysis approaches
• Excellent molecular biology skills
• Strong interest and experience in using interdisciplinary approaches in their research program
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Track record of writing papers as evidenced by publications/preprints in the relevant field
• Track record of using interdisciplinary approaches in their research

Desirable

• Good understanding of tissue morphogenesis/mechanics
• Previous experience in using biophysical tools
• Experience in zebrafish embryological techniques and zebrafish gene editing techniques

Expected salary

Location

London

Job date

Wed, 10 Jul 2024 02:11:07 GMT

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