Postdoctoral Training Fellow – Cell Biology of T cells

Applications are invited for a full-time, 4-year postdoctoral Cell Biologist on Crick terms and conditions of employment. Please note this is a rolling advert with no specific closing date, which will close once the position is filled. Applications will be considered as they arrive.

The Tybulewicz group

Immune Cell Biology Laboratory

The lab is studying signalling pathways that control the biology of B and T lymphocytes. In particular we are working on pathways that control lymphocyte activation, differentiation, survival, adhesion and migration. We use a broad range of techniques including cell biology, mouse genetics, biochemistry, imaging, proteomics, transcriptomics and cellular immunology. The lab currently consists of around 13 researchers including PhD students, postdocs and laboratory research scientists. For more information see the lab website.

Project summary

We have previously shown that the WNK1 kinase regulates T cell migration and adhesion (Köchl et al, 2016. Nat Immunol, 17, 1075-1083). In unpublished work we have found that WNK1 also regulates T cell activation and discovered a novel and unexpected signalling pathway that regulates ion and water flux across the plasma membrane, which is essential for T cell migration and activation, thereby opening up an exciting new area of investigation. The proposed research will focus on how the WNK1 pathway and ion and water flux regulate T cell migration and activation. The work will look at the role of ion and water transporters in the regulation of these processes, and is likely to use cell biology, imaging, mouse genetics, biochemistry, microfluidics and optogenetics.

Postdoctoral Training Fellows are expected to lead their own projects, contribute to other projects on a collaborative basis (both in the lab and with external collaborators) and guide PhD students in their research. The ability to work in a team is essential.

Informal enquiries are welcome, and should be directed to Victor Tybulewicz (Victor.T@crick.ac.uk ).

Key experience and competencies
The post holder should embody and demonstrate our core Crick values: bold, imaginative, open, dynamic and collegial, in addition to the following:

Essential

PhD, or in the final stages of PhD completion, in a relevant area (including but not limited to: cell biology, biochemistry, genetics)
Knowledge and experience of cell biology
Experience of subcellular imaging using light microscopy techniques, such as TIRF, super-resolution and time-lapse imaging.
Track record of writing papers as evidenced by publications or submitted manuscripts in refereed journals
Evidence of data presentation at scientific meetings
Excellent organisational and communication skills
Ability to work independently and also capable of interacting within a group
Desirable

Experience in research using mouse genetics or biochemistry
Experience in research on T or B cells
Find out what benefits the Crick has to offer:

For more information on our great pay and benefits package please click here: https://www.crick.ac.uk/careers-and-study/life-at-the-crick/pay-and-benefits

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion:

We welcome applications from all backgrounds. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities, regardless of ethnicity, nationality, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, pregnancy, age, disability, or civil partnership, marital or family status. We particularly welcome applications from people who are Minority Ethnic as they are currently underrepresented in the Crick at this level.

Diversity is essential to excellence in scientific endeavour. It increases breadth and perspective, leading to more innovation and creativity. We want the Crick to be a place where everyone feels valued and where diversity is celebrated and seen as part of the foundation for our Institute’s success.

The Crick is committed to creating equality of opportunity and promoting diversity and inclusivity. We all share in the responsibility to actively promote dignity, respect, inclusivity and equal treatment and it is our aim to ensure that these principles are reflected and implemented in all strategies, policies and practices.

Read more on our website: https://www.crick.ac.uk/careers-and-study/life-at-the-crick/equality-diversity-and-inclusion