Post doc positions at UCL

[Charras, Guillaume]

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Dear list,

Apologies for the mass mailing.

I have two post-doctoral positions available and I would be very grateful if you could forward this email to anyone that might be interested.

The first position is to study the mechanics of epithelial monolayers. The goal of this project is to bridge the gap between molecular, cellular, and tissue-scales to understand the biological determinants of epithelial mechanics and how mechanical failure of monolayered tissues occurs. This project builds on previous work by members of the team (Harris AR et al, PNAS, 2012; Kuipers DK et al, J Cell Sci, 2014; Harris et al, J Cell Sci, 2014). The closing date for the position is October 9th.
The official posting can be found at:
<https://atsv7.wcn.co.uk/search_engine/jobs.cgi?amNvZGU9MTQzNDYzOSZ2dF90ZW1wbGF0ZT05NjUmb3duZXI9NTA0MTE3OCZvd25lcnR5cGU9ZmFpciZicmFuZF9pZD0wJnZhY194dHJhNTA0MTE3OC41MF81MDQxMTc4PTkyNzg2JnZhY3R5cGU9MTI3NiZwb3N0aW5nX2NvZGU9MjI0JnJlcXNpZz0xNDEwNzk1NjQ3LTM0YmRiYTY1OWY0NGQ0NjRhNjA0MzNkZGNiZDlhYzBhYThlMWNkNGE&jcode=1434639&vt_template=965&owner=5041178&ownertype=fair&brand_id=0&vac_xtra5041178.50_5041178=92786&vactype=1276&posting_code=224&reqsig=1410795647-34bdba659f44d464a60433ddcbd9ac0aa8e1cd4a>https://atsv7.wcn.co.uk/search_engine/jobs.cgi?owner=5041178&ownertype=fair&jcode=1434639


The second position is to study the orientation of cell division in epithelial monolayers in response to application of a uniaxial extension. To do this, we will use monolayers devoid of a substrate. In particular, we are interested in understanding the interplay between mechanical stresses and the molecular mechanisms underlying spindle orientation. This work builds on recent studies from our labs (Matthews HK et al, Dev Cell 2012; Harris AR et al, PNAS, 2012; Lancaster O et al, Dev Cell, 2013). The closing date is October 5th.
 The official advertisement can be accessed at:
https://atsv7.wcn.co.uk/search_engine/jobs.cgi?owner=5041178&ownertype=fair&jcode=1433373

Thanks,
Guillaume

[Charras, Guillaume]

*****
To join, leave or search the confocal microscopy listserv, go to:
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*****

Dear list,



Apologies for the mass mailing.


I have two PhD positions available and I would be very grateful if you could forward this email to anyone that might be interested.


Details are below.


Thanks,

Guillaume


_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


Biology and Biophysics of Cell Monolayers (two studentships)
We are inviting applications for two 3-year interdisciplinary studentship in the general area of Cell Biology and Biophysics to commence from September 2016. The students will be physically based within the state-of-the-art London Centre for Nanotechnology on UCL's Bloomsbury Cell biology and Cell Biophysics infrastructure. Strong collaborative links with the Laboratory for Molecular Cell Biology at UCL and the Department of Engineering at Cambridge University will make this project truly multi-disciplinary.


The proposed research project aims at exploring tissue morphogenesis from the bottom-up using epithelial monolayers devoid of a substrate, live cell imaging, optogenetics, molecular cell biology techniques, and custom-designed mechanical testing equipment.


Epithelial monolayers are amongst the simplest tissues in the body, yet they play fundamental roles in adult tissues, where they act as physical and mechanical barriers to separate the internal environment from the external environment, and in development, when the intrinsic forces they generate drive morphogenesis. During development, tissue morphogenesis arises from the combination of a variety of individual cell behaviours such as oriented cell division, apical contraction, and cell intercalation. Similar cellular-scale behaviours also underlie the adaptation of tissues to changes in their mechanical environment. However, little is known about what mechanical forces and molecular processes act during each of these unitary cell behaviours and how they are integrated at the tissue-scale. We propose to explore these questions using biophysical and optogenetic tools to control cell behavior and trigger tissue morphogenesis together with live cell imaging and Mechanical testing.

We are in search of two students to work towards the goals of this project. Candidates should have a high grade point average Bachelor's degree or equivalent in subjects such as Molecular Cell Biology, Biophysics, Physics, or Engineering. This project involves a significant experimental component and previous experimental research experience relevant to the research project is desirable.

The stipend is £18000/pa and tuition fees will be covered. Funding is available to UK and EEA candidates.

Suitably qualified candidates interested in performing cutting edge research in a dynamic multidisciplinary scientific environment in order to study monolayer Biology and Biophysics should send their CV to Dr Guillaume Charras ([hidden email]<mailto:[hidden email]>).

References:
Harris A, Peter L, Bellis J, Baum B, Kabla A, Charras G. "Characterising the mechanics of cell monolayers", PNAS, 2012 Oct 9;109(41):16449-54.

Wyatt T, Harris A, Lam M, Bellis J, Dimitricapoulos A, Chen Q, Kabla A, Charras G*, Baum B*. "The emergence of homeostatic packing and cell stress dissipation through divisions oriented along the cell long axis", PNAS, accepted, (2015). *co-corresponding authors.

 Harris A, Daeden A, Charras G. "Formation of adherens junctions leads to the emergence of a tissue-level tension in epithelial monolayers", J Cell Sci, 127:2507-17 (2014).

Kuipers D, Mehonic A, Kajita M, Peter L, Fujita Y, Duke T, Charras G*, Gale J*. "Epithelial repair is a two-stage process driven first by dying cells and then by their neighbours", J Cell Sci, 127(Pt 6):1229-41, (2014). * corresponding authors.

[Charras, Guillaume]

*****
To join, leave or search the confocal microscopy listserv, go to:
http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A0=confocalmicroscopy
Post images on http://www.imgur.com and include the link in your posting.
*****

Dear list,



Apologies for the mass mailing.


I have a postdoc position available and I would be very grateful if you could forward this email to anyone that might be interested.


Details are below.


Thanks,

Guillaume

_______________________________________________________________________

Post-Doctoral Researcher, Cell Biology/ Biophysics


We are pleased to announce a call for applications for a postdoctoral researcher in the laboratory of Dr Guillaume Charras. This project at the interface between Physics and Cell Biology seeks to understand the link between signalling and cell mechanics with applications to cell and tissue morphogenesis.



The challenge in understanding cellular morphogenesis resides in linking localised spatiotemporal changes in signalling to local changes in cortical mechanics that will result in cellular-scale shape changes. The goal of this project is to determine how spatiotemporal recruitment of master regulators regulates changes in cell mechanics that lead to mitotic morphogenesis. To do this, we propose to use optogenetics to control cell signalling. We will use AFM to characterize cell mechanics before and after switching on signalling. These data together with live imaging of each regulator will be combined into a computational model to predict cell shape change during mitosis. The same tools will be used to control the morphogenesis of tissues by activating signaling in subregions of the suspended monolayers.

This research will be carried out at the London Centre for Nanotechnology in close collaboration with the laboratory of Dr Guillaume Salbreux at the Crick Institute. This project builds on previous work by members of the team (Harris AR et al, PNAS, 2012; Moeendarbary et al, Nat Materials, 2013; Wyatt TPJ et al, PNAS, 2015; Valon et al, Nat Comms, 2017).


The successful post-doc candidate will be an exceptional, highly-motivated and independent scientist with a PhD degree and a strong research track record in a relevant area of the Life Sciences or Physics, as well as experience at working within an interdisciplinary team. Experience of atomic force microscopy, molecular cell biology, biophysics, live confocal microscopy, and programming is desired. Additional experience in developmental biology, and optogenetics will be an advantage.


The position will be for three years with a preferred start date of 1st of September 2017. Appointment will be made with a salary in the range of £34,056-41,163 per year inclusive of London allowance and dependent on experience.


For further details about the vacancy and how to apply online please go to http://www.ucl.ac.uk/hr/jobs/
 and search on Reference Number 1639796.


Informal enquiries can be made to Guillaume Charras ([hidden email]).