Research Fellow, Infection Cell Biology and Expansion Microscopy

About the role

The Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine (LKCMedicine) at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, is recruiting a Research Fellow to lead a project on the spatial organisation of host and viral organelles during infection. The work uses expansion microscopy combined with super-resolution imaging to study how protein S-acylation shapes membrane architecture, organelle contacts and viral replication compartments, and to establish expansion microscopy as a robust, quantitative imaging capability in the laboratory. The post-holder is expected to develop an independent research direction and apply for external fellowship funding.

Key responsibilities

• Lead an independent line of research on the spatial organisation of host and viral organelles during infection, using expansion microscopy together with confocal, super-resolution and other advanced imaging approaches.
• Develop, validate and apply expansion microscopy and related sample-preparation workflows to host membrane compartments and pathogen-induced structures.
• Investigate how protein lipidation (S-acylation) shapes membrane architecture, organelle contacts and compartment identity, using genetic, chemical and biochemical perturbation.
• Design and perform quantitative image analysis to extract structural and morphological measurements from large imaging datasets.
• Carry out cell culture, molecular biology, genome editing and infection experiments, and use complementary biochemical, biophysical or structural approaches as the project develops.
• Interpret results critically, propose new experimental avenues, prepare manuscripts, figures and presentations, and contribute to grant applications, including those for the post-holder's own external fellowship funding.
• Supervise and mentor students at PhD, Master's and undergraduate level, and build collaborations within LKCMedicine and NTU and with international partners.
• Maintain rigorous experimental records and comply with biosafety, risk assessment and research governance requirements.

Required profile

• PhD in cell biology, structural biology, biochemistry, biophysics, bioengineering, molecular biology or a closely related discipline.
• Strong research track record, including first-author publications in peer-reviewed international journals.
• Demonstrated experience supervising or mentoring students at undergraduate and postgraduate level.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English, with a track record of presenting at international meetings.
• Ability to work independently, plan and troubleshoot a research project, and motivation to pursue an independent research direction and seek external fellowship funding.

Required skills

• Substantial hands-on experience in advanced fluorescence microscopy, including confocal and live-cell imaging.
• Practical experience with expansion microscopy or another super-resolution modality (structured illumination, STED or single-molecule localization microscopy).
• Experience in the imaging and structural characterisation of subcellular organelles or macromolecular assemblies.
• Experience in mammalian cell culture, molecular biology and protein biochemistry.
• Experience in quantitative analysis of imaging data using established image-analysis software or scripting approaches.
• Advantages: experience with protein production and structural/biophysical characterisation (X-ray crystallography, SAXS, cryo-EM); image-based or visual screening; prior experience with infection models, membrane biology and subcellular structure analysis (training provided).