Applications are invited for a postdoctoral research position and/or PhD student to join our team of cell biologists and biophysicists at the ARCCentre of Excellence in Advanced Molecular Imaging (http://www.imagingcoe.org) at the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia (http://sms.unsw.edu.au).

One of the major unsolved issues in immunology is how an extracellular antigen recognition event is linked to the induction of intracellular signals on which T cell fate decisions are based. The overall goal of the project is to gain a better understanding of the nano-scaled organization of T cell receptor (TCR) signalling by using 2- and 3-dimensional single molecule localization microscopy (PALM, dSTORM) in conjunction with molecular control over ligand presentation (e.g. bilayers with pMHC, nanopatterned surfaces and nanoparticles modified with antibodies/pMHC). Specifically, we want to investigate whether a distinct spatial organisation of the TCR is responsible for signal initiation. Further, we would like to link TCR clustering to activation responses, using primary T cells and single cell assays.

For the postdoctoral position, a PhD in cell biology, (bio)physics, (bio)chemistry, or related science is required and experience in receptor signalling, cellular immunology, molecular biology and advanced fluorescence microscopy is highly desirable.

The successful postdoctoral candidate will have an active role in conceiving and implementing experimental approaches, training and supervision of research staff and students and presentation of the results in the form of publications, international conference presentations and potentially grant applications. PhD students will be enrolled at the University of New South Wales and are eligible for a top-up stipend.

The postdoctoral position is a full-time fixed term position available until 31 December 2015 with strong prospects for further contract periods. Salary range is A$82K – A$88K per year. Applications should be emailed to Prof Katharina Gaus (k.gaus@unsw.edu.au) before November 20th 2014….