Postdoctoral Project Research Scientist

Details of the role: This is a full-time, fixed-term (two years) position on Crick terms and conditions of employment.

About us

The Francis Crick Institute is Europe's largest biomedical research institute under one roof. Our world-class scientists and staff collaborate on vital research to help prevent, diagnose, and treat illnesses such as cancer, heart disease, infectious diseases, and neurodegenerative conditions.

The Crick is a place for collaboration, innovation, and exploration across many disciplines. A space where the brightest minds can pursue big and bold ideas and discover answers to crucial scientific questions. We support them in a dynamic environment which fosters excellence with state-of-the-art infrastructure, cutting-edge facilities, and a creative and curious culture. We've removed traditional boundaries of departments, divisions, and disciplines and instead have an open approach that supports every researcher. This gives us the freedom to take risks and carry out high-quality, pioneering research. Creating a space for discovery without boundaries helps us to turn our science into benefits for human health and the economy.

About the role

We are seeking an experienced Postdoctoral Project Research Scientist to join our team. In this role, you will both lead your own independent project(s) and contribute to the development of innovative tools and technologies that advance the lab's research program. You will be part of a collaborative and diverse group dedicated to uncovering how a functional, beating heart is formed during development. Your work will involve applying in-depth technical expertise in cutting-edge imaging technologies, image analysis techniques, and biophysical approaches. The specific goals and direction of the project(s) will be shaped in close consultation with the supervisor and tailored to your background and interests.

The heart is the first organ to form and function during embryonic development. 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 the ventricle and atrium transforms from a single-layered epithelium into a complex 3D topological meshwork architecture (Priya et al., 2021, Nature; bioRxiv 2024.07.24.604962; bioRxiv, 2025.03.07.641942). How this topological complexity is achieved is unknown, as are the underlying mechanisms that shape these crucial anatomical structures. In our lab, we aim to unravel the underlying mechanical, molecular, and geometric interactions that transform a developing heart from a simple epithelium into a highly intricate functional organ. We combine the excellent tractability of zebrafish embryos with quantitative imaging, transcriptomics, biophysics, genetics, and predictive theoretical modelling to answer fundamental questions driving organ morphogenesis.

What you will be doing:

As a PPRS you will:

• Develop and establish new tools and techniques - advanced 4D live imaging of zebrafish hearts, image analysis pipelines, biophysical methods for measuring mechanical forces, and gene-editing tools.
• Conceptualize and lead research project(s)
• Provide expert guidance and technical support to lab members, fostering knowledge exchange and skill development.
• Contribute to other projects on a collaborative basis, both in the lab and with external collaborators.
• Actively contribute to the development and publication of scientific manuscripts
• Help cultivate a collaborative, inclusive, and intellectually stimulating lab environment.

About you

You will bring

• PhD (or near completion) in cell biology, developmental biology, or biophysics.
• Proven expertise in advanced confocal and light-sheet microscopy, as shown by publications.
• Excellent skills in molecular biology.
• Experience in embryological techniques (zebrafish/fly/mouse) as well as gene editing methods.
• Demonstrated ability to write scientific papers, as shown by publications and/or preprints in relevant fields.