Research Associate in Super-resolution microscopy
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Posted on:
Yesterday
Vacancies:
1 Vacancy
Job Summary
Research Associate in Super-resolution microscopy
Salary:Grade 7 (37694 - 47389)
Contract:Full-Time (35 hours per week) Fixed Term until 27/08/2026
Holiday Entitlement:33 days annual leave plus 9 buildings closed days for all full time staff. Use our total rewards calculator: see the value of benefits provided by Heriot-Watt University.
Purpose of this role
This Research Associate position will support cuttingedge research into Type VI secretion systems (T6SS) and their roles in bacterialfungal interactions. This project will employ novel fluorescent protein tools to visualise how bacterial effector proteins are delivered into fungal cells. Using advanced single- and dualcolour singlemolecule localisation microscopy (3D PALM and dSTORM) we will track individual effector molecules from their packaging within the secretion machinery through firing and membrane penetration to their final sites of catalytic activity. We will also investigate the downstream consequences of effector toxicity within fungal cells.
The position is based primarily at Heriot-Watt University in the laboratory of Dr Colin Rickman offering handson experience with stateoftheart superresolution imaging through the facilities of the Edinburgh Super-Resolution Imaging Consortium (ESRIC). This role provides an excellent opportunity to develop expertise not only in advanced microscopy but also in data processing quantitative analysis and modern imaging workflows.
Key Duties & Responsibilities
- Conduct research on T6SS effector delivery from bacteria into fungal cells.
- Employ engineered fluorescent proteins to visualise effector trafficking.
- Perform single- and dualcolour singlemolecule localisation microscopy (including 3D PALM and dSTORM).
- Track effector proteins from packaging within the secretion machinery through to their catalytic sites in fungal cells.
- Investigate cellular responses and downstream effects resulting from effectormediated toxicity.
- Contribute to data acquisition processing quantitative analysis and documentation.
- Work collaboratively within the laboratory of Dr Colin Rickman at Heriot-Watt University.
Essential & Desirable Criteria
Essential
PhD in superresolution microscopy with specialisation in the development of fluorescent proteins or a submitted PhD thesis in this area at the start of employment.
- Handson experience with single and dualcolour PALM (Photoactivation Localisation Microscopy) in 2D and 3D.
- Demonstrated research track record in analysing Type VI secretion systems within bacterialfungal cocultures using advanced fluorescence microscopy.
- Ability to operate and troubleshoot both Olympus TIRF microscopes and Leica SP8 confocal microscopes independently.
- Proficiency in 3D deconvolution and localisation analysis using SVI Huygens software.
- Strong capability to design manage and progress research independently.
- Excellent communication skills including highquality written outputs and effective oral presentations.
- Proven ability to work collaboratively within a research team at HeriotWatt and with external scientific collaborators.
Desirable
- Demonstrable handson experience culturing bacterial and fungal cells including establishing and maintaining bacterialfungal cocultures.
- Experience in live and fixed sample preparation specifically for superresolution microscopy.
- Direct experience working with photoactivatable fluorescent proteins both in vitro and in vivo.
- Direct experience of analysis of datasets using ImageJ SVI Huygens and Imaris and figure generation using Graphpad Prism and Adobe Illustrator
- Experience collaborating within multidisciplinary scientific teams including effective work with external collaborators beyond the immediate research group.
How to Apply
Applications can be submitted up to midnight(UK time)on Wednesday 11th February 2026.
Pleasesubmit your CV & covering letter via the Heriot-Watt on-line recruitment.
We welcome and will consider flexible working patterns e.g. part-time working and job share options.
Heriot-WattUniversity is committed to securing equality of opportunity in employment and to the creation of an environment in which individuals are selected trained promoted appraised and otherwise treated on the sole basis of their relevant merits and abilities. Equality and diversity are all about maximising potential and creating a culture of inclusion for all.
Heriot-WattUniversity values diversity across our university community and welcomes applications from all sectors of society particularly from underrepresented groups. For more information please see our website also our award-winning work in Disability Inclusive Science Careers our total rewards calculator: see the value of benefits provided by Heriot-Watt University.
About the Team
The Research Engagement Directorate provides high quality support for the Heriot-Watt research community across3divisions: Researchand ResearcherDevelopment LegalPolicyStrategyand Impactand theResearch Futures Hub (incorporating the Graduate School).Working closely with the Business and Enterprise Directorate RED works to deliver the Excelling in Research and Enterprise theme of Strategy 2025anddevelopmentof Heriot-Watts new Strategy 2035.
About Heriot-Watt University
At Heriot-Watt we are passionate about our values and look to them to connect our people globally and to help us collaborate and celebrate our success through working together. Our research programmes can deliver real world impact which is achieved through the diversity of our international community and the recognition of creative talent that connects our global team.
Our flourishing community will give you the freedom to challenge and to bring your enterprising mind and to help our partners with solutions that can be applied now and in the future. Join us and Heriot Watt will provide you with a platform to thrive and work in a way that also helps you live your life in balance with well-being and inclusiveness at the heart of our global community.
Required Experience:
IC
Key Skills
- Laboratory Experience
- ELISA
- Immunoassays
- Mammalian Cell Culture
- Biochemistry
- Cell Biology
- Research Experience
- Cell Culture
- Molecular Biology
- Microscopy
- Research Laboratory Experience
- Western Blot
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