Postdoctoral Scholar, Biophysics and Fluorescence Expansion Microscopy, Department of Physics

Role details

The Department of Physics at Case Western Reserve University, College of Arts and Sciences, seeks one postdoctoral researcher to conduct research in the laboratory of Professor Lydia Kisley starting January 2023 or later. The ideal candidate will work at the interface of biophysics, biomaterials, and analytical chemistry developing a method to detect nutrients at subcellular resolutions. Overall, the Kisley Lab studies soft materials using single molecule microscopy with the goal to advance the single molecule materials field toward more complex, realistic conditions. More information on the broad focus of the lab can be found at http://physics.case.edu/faculty/lydia-kisley/ .

The candidate will primarily be responsible for working on a project funded by a private foundation to develop a super-resolution microscopy method using novel soft hydrogel materials. It is required that the candidate will have extensive experience in eukaryotic cell culture and fluorescence microscopy. Further skills in image processing in ImageJ and MATLAB or other C-based programming languages are preferred. It is not required, but also ideal, if the candidate has experience in extracellular matrix/mechanobiology or MALDI mass spectrometry.

The project is highly collaborative with Professor Laura Sanchez’ bioanalytical chemistry research group at UC Santa Cruz and opportunities for travel are included in this position. The candidate will be responsible for working with other postdoctoral researchers, graduate, and undergraduate students in the lab and participate in maintaining a strong lab culture within the research group. Regular responsibilities will be generating data and text for progress reports, manuscripts and grants, participating in weekly meetings, and assisting with training and mentoring of lab members.

In addition, the lab will provide career development opportunities for the candidate such as funds for annual national conference travel and support in developing pedagogical skills and grantsmanship, dependent on the candidate’s future career interests. More details about the lab culture and mentoring approach can be found at: https://www.kisleylab.science/lab-manual-mentoring-approach Support for this position is available for 2.5 years above NIH NRSA Stipend Levels, conditional on annual reviews. There is the potential for the position to be extended longer dependent on funding levels in the lab.

The candidate will also be expected to pursue postdoctoral fellowships after the first year, but continuation of support will not be contingent on receiving independent funding. Sponsorship for a visa is available, if required. The Department of Physics at CWRU is part of a strong community of biophysics research and activities in the Cleveland area. Possibilities to collaborate and network within CWRU School of Medicine, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Cleveland Clinic, University Hospitals, among others, exist in this position. The Kisley Research Group believes that the best research results from working with a diverse team.

We foster a sense of community in our group where everyone should feel welcome, respected, and safe. We strongly encourage applications from female and minority candidates, along with those who have taken efforts to improve diversity in STEM. More information on our philosophy can be found at: https://www.kisleylab.science/diversity-outreach .