Postdoctoral Research Associate

We are seeking a motivated and collaborative individual to join our team as a Postdoctoral Research Associate. This role offers an exciting opportunity to develop methacrylated hyaluronic acid hydrogel systems for controlled stiffening and softening during live-cell imaging, enabling new research into mechanobiology, integrin-mediated cell–matrix interactions and mechanically regulated cell behaviour. The postholder will also help establish robust hydrogel workflows across the laboratory and develop applications for external research funding within a dynamic and inclusive environment.

You will be responsible for:

• Developing and optimising methacrylated hyaluronic acid hydrogel systems for controlled stiffening and softening during live-cell imaging.
• Characterising and validating hydrogel properties, reproducibility and compatibility with mammalian cell culture.
• Investigating integrin-dependent mechanobiology at cell–matrix adhesions, and preparing the findings for publication.
• Establishing robust hydrogel fabrication and quality-control workflows, and providing practical training and support to other members of the laboratory.
• Leading research outputs and developing applications for external research funding in collaboration with colleagues across relevant disciplines.

About You

We encourage applications from individuals with a wide range of backgrounds and experiences. You should demonstrate:

Essential Criteria:

• A PhD in materials science, biomaterials, bioengineering, cell biology or a closely related discipline, together with substantial postdoctoral or equivalent research experience at the interface of biomaterials and cell biology.
• Extensive hands-on experience of independently developing, adapting and troubleshooting multiple materially distinct biomaterial platforms for biological research, including their application to patient-derived cancer-cell models.
• An established research track record in mechanobiology and experience investigating receptor-mediated mechanotransduction, including GPCR/G-protein, integrin or related cell-surface signalling systems.
• Extensive experimental expertise in investigating receptor-mediated signalling using complementary biochemical, cellular and imaging approaches. This should include protein functionalisation, immunoblotting, immunocytochemistry, co-immunoprecipitation, small-GTPase activity assays and cellular fractionation, together with experience of super-resolution microscopy, such as STED or an equivalent technique, and analysis of transcriptomic datasets, such as bulk RNA sequencing.
• Evidence of research independence and leadership appropriate to a senior postdoctoral researcher, including leading research outputs and experience developing research grant and fellowship applications.