We seek to hire four postdoctoral research associates (PDRAs) to work on an interdisciplinary collaborative project between the University of Dundee, the University of Oxford, and UCL. The aim of the project is to understand the interplay between tissue-scale mechanical forces, cell differentiation, and cell behaviours during gastrulation.

Gastrulation arises from a combination of distinct cellular-scale force-generating behaviours that take place in different parts of the embryo. These behaviours are likely coordinated by mechanosensitive processes, although their exact nature is poorly understood. How cell-scale behaviours and mechano-chemical feedback processes combine to give rise to the tissue-scale morphogenesis observed during gastrulation remains unknown. We will investigate these questions in the chick embryo, using a combination of experimental and theoretical approaches.

The project is a collaboration between the University of Dundee, University of Oxford, and University College London in research groups of Prof Cornelis J. Weijer (Dundee), Prof. Julia Yeomans (Oxford), Dr Rastko Sknepnek (Dundee), and Prof Guillaume Charras (UCL).

Interested applicants are invited to contact the relevant PIs regarding each of the positions below.

PDRA 1 will be based at the University of Dundee in the group of Prof Weijer. They will image cell and tissue dynamics during gastrulation in chick embryos using light sheet microscopy, as well as perform the large-scale data analysis. Informal enquiries should be sent to: Prof Cornelis J. Weijer (c.j.weijer@dundee.ac.uk). Click here to apply.

PDRA 2 will be based at the University of Oxford in the group of Prof Yeomans. They will develop continuum modelling and theoretical approaches for chick gastrulation and advance our understanding of the relevance of active matter physics in biological contexts.  Informal enquiries should be sent to: Prof Julia Yeomans (julia.yeomans@physics.ox.ac.uk). Click here to apply.

PDRA 3 will be based at the University of Dundee in the group of Dr Sknepnek. They will work on computational models to bridge between cell and tissue scales. Informal enquiries should be sent to: Dr Rastko Sknepnek (r.sknepnek@dundee.ac.uk). Click here to apply.

PDRA 4 will be based at the UCL in the group of Prof Charras. They will characterise mechanics and feedback in developing tissues. Informal enquiries should be sent to Prof Guillaume Charras (g.charras@ucl.ac.uk). Click here to apply.

All positions – Application deadline: PDRA4: 15/02/2022.

All positions – preferred starting date: 1 April 2022 (or soon after)

All positions – Duration: Up to 36 months (until 31 March 2025)

The posts are funded by a “Building collaborations at the Physics of Life interface” grant co-funded by EPSRC, BBSRC, MRC, and the Wellcome Trust.

We encourage applications from those who are underrepresented in the sector but, not exclusive, to disabled, D/deaf and neurodiverse people, LGBTQ+ people, people from Black, Asian, and ethnic minority backgrounds, especially women.