Postdoctoral Researcher in Super-resolution Microscopy of Bacteria
Postdoctoral Researcher in Super-resolution Microscopy of Bacteria
Aalto University
Espoo, Finland
The project will investigate the biophysical mechanisms of cellular adaptation to environmental stresses and develop new methods to study single molecule dynamics in live bacteria.
Many microorganisms can withstand severe environmental stresses, e.g. extreme temperatures, while maintaining cellular homeostasis and sub-cellular organization. To study this, we use state-of-the-art super-resolution microscopy and single molecule tracking to record the movement of individual molecules inside live cells. Single molecule dynamics reports on the molecular interactions in real-time, acting as a probe for changes in the intracellular environment.
The obtained knowledge will help us to understand microorganisms’ adaptation to different environments and the limits of cellular life. The research will also contribute to the development of synthetic biology applications and novel assay solutions.
Your role and goals
We are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated postdoctoral researcher who is interested in applying super-resolution microscopy and single particle tracking to study temperature adaptation in thermophilic, mesophilic and psychrophilic bacteria. In addition to microscopy, the project will apply genetic engineering, biochemical assays, RNA-sequencing, machine learning, and modelling to analyze, integrate, and make sense of single-cell and molecule level data.
You will adapt existing methods and protocols and develop novel ones to collect and analyse scientific data from a variety of sources so that hypotheses can be tested, reviewed and refined. You will also carry out collaborative projects with colleagues within our group and from other institutions. You are proactive, self-directed researcher who manages your projects effectively and presents the results at internal and external meetings and seminars.
Your experience and desirable skills
- Hold, or be close to completion of, a Ph.D. (or equivalent) in microbiology, biophysics, biochemistry, biotechnology or a related field
- Hands-on experience with bacteria cell culture and molecular biology
- Experience in genetic engineering techniques in bacteria (including cloning and chromosome modifications)
- Previous experience with fluorescence microscopy techniques
- Coding skills (Python/R/Matlab or similar) to process and analyze experimental data
- Ability and interest to work results-oriented in an interdisciplinary team
- High self-motivation and persistence in tackling challenging scientific problems
- Good written and oral communication skills in English (Finnish language is not required).
© EuroJobsites 2025
