Advanced Microscopy Specialist at University of Oxford

Location: Roosevelt Drive, Headington, Oxford, OX3 7FY

We are seeking an Advanced Microscopy Specialist to manage the use and development of the Extended-resolution total internal reflection fluorescence-structured illumination (eTIRF-SIM) microscope as lead by Professor Marco Fritzsche. The eTIRF-SIM technology was initially developed by Professor Dong Li in the group of Nobel Laureate Eric Betzig at HHMI Janelia Farm (USA), and has been applied to cutting edge biological applications within the Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology (KIR). The microscope is run as a small research facility (SRF) and is utilised for multiple biomedically-motivated projects throughout the KIR, and the expertise is offered to the wider Oxford community and external collaborators.

The TIRF-SIM SRF also supports a number of other custom and specialist microscopy and surface characterisation instruments. The post-holder will have the opportunity to engage in the development of other microscopy technologies and advanced modalities.

It is expected that the post holder not only collaborates on these projects, but also develops and pursues their own research project at the interface of biology and optical custom-built microscopy technology. It is expected that the position will provide opportunities for the post holder to innovate and publish on further developments in microscopy technology and biological insights resulting from the experiments supported. 

In this role you will be responsible for the management and maintenance of the eTIRF-SIM platform and designing, developing, and building new advanced microscopy modalities and experimental protocols. You will also be expected to participate in the KIR funded research programmes led by Professor Marco Fritzsche as well as maintain and develop LabView software for image acquisition and system control.

For this role, it is essential that you hold a PhD in any of the disciplines of life sciences and have expertise and publications in advanced and super-resolution microscopy. You must also have experience in designing and constructing advanced microscopes alongside advanced skills in LabView programming.

It would be preferred if you have a favourable overlap with the research skills needed to carry out the research projects and experience of training and mentoring junior members of the team and students.

This is a fixed-term, full time position for 3 years.

Due to the nature of the research at the Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, this job will require additional security pre-employment checks:

• A satisfactory basic Disclosure and Barring Service check