About Us

 The Culley Lab is part of the Cellular Biophysics Section in the  Randall Centre for Cell & Molecular Biophysics, part of the  School of Basic & Biomedical Sciences at King’s College London. Research in the Randall covers structural biology, cell biology, muscle biology and techniques development, and is a vibrant and collaborative environment.  We are part of the  Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine, which has a broad spectrum of research interests spanning fundamental biology, disease, and physiology.

The lab’s speciality is in developing and validating computational methods for fluorescence microscopy, and we welcome members from a broad range of interdisciplinary backgrounds. Through a mixture of wet and dry lab work, we develop model systems that can be used to benchmark the performance of image processing and analysis in microscopy. We are based at Guy’s Campus, near London Bridge, which is also home to state-of-the-art microscopy facilities including the Nikon Imaging Centre and the Microscopy Innovation Centre. 

About the role

Applications are invited for a postdoctoral research position to work on development of methods for image quality assessment in fluorescence microscopy in the Randall Centre for Cell & Molecular Biophysics.

Our lab specialises in development of image quality assessment methods and advanced image processing and analysis for fluorescence microscopy. Fluorescence microscopy is one of the most commonly used methods in cell biology, allowing researchers to specifically localise molecules within living cells. However, there are currently no reliable methods to determine whether an image is of a sufficient quality to support accurate quantitative measurements of biological structures. This can have profound effects on biological studies, as inaccurate measurements can lead to incorrect or misleading biological conclusions.

This project focuses on determining how image acquisition, image processing, image analysis and the underlying biological question intersect to determine image quality. Using the fission yeast S. pombe as a model system, the candidate will benchmark the performance of existing image quality metrics, novel image quality metrics developed in the group, and correlate these metrics with the accuracy of biological measurements in images. There is a particular focus on the role that novel AI image processing and analysis methods can play in the fluorescence microscopy pipeline.

Candidates are welcomed from a range of backgrounds across biology, physics, and computer science. This position can be tailored to focus more heavily on the practicalities of image acquisition and development of real biological benchmarking systems, or on simulation and mathematical exploration of image information content, depending on the candidate’s experience and interests.

Access to excellent training and world class facilities will be provided, with opportunities to attend international conferences within the field.

This is a full time post funded by the Royal Society and you will be offered a fixed term contract until 30/09/2026.  The earliest start date would be 10th February 2025.

This role will require on-site working for 2-3 days a week and remote working can be undertaken for the remaining days.

About you

To be successful in this role, we are looking for candidates to have the following skills and experience:

Essential criteria

1. Undergraduate degree and PhD in relevant area (sciences, computer science or engineering) *
2. Prior experience of image analysis, either in microscopy or computer vision
3. Demonstrated ability to carry out research and communicate findings orally and in writing
4. Demonstrated ability to plan and troubleshoot own work
5. Demonstrated ability to work effectively with others
6. Understanding of the benefits and challenges of working in an interdisciplinary field.
7. Commitment to diversity and inclusion in alignment with King’s Guiding Principles

*Please note that this is a PhD level role but candidates who have submitted their thesis and are awaiting award of their PhDs will be considered. In these circumstances the appointment will be made at Grade 5, spine point 30 with the title of Research Assistant. Upon confirmation of the award of the PhD, the job title will become Research Associate and the salary will increase to Grade 6.

Desirable criteria

1. Experience of fluorescence microscopy
2. Experience of mammalian, bacterial, or yeast cell culture
3. Experience of using deep learning-based image processing/analysis
4. Experience of programming

Further Information

We pride ourselves on being inclusive and welcoming. We embrace diversity and want everyone to feel that they belong and are connected to others in our community.

We are committed to working with our staff and unions on these and other issues, to continue to support our people and to develop a diverse and inclusive culture at King's.

We ask all candidates to submit a copy of their CV, and a supporting statement, detailing how they meet the essential criteria listed in the advert. If we receive a strong field of candidates, we may use the desirable criteria to choose our final shortlist, so please include your evidence against these where possible.

To find out how our managers will review your application, please take a look at our ‘How we Recruit’ pages.

Interviews are due to be held week beginning 25th November (this may be subject to change).

We are able to offer sponsorship for candidates who do not currently possess the right to work in the UK.

This post is subject to Occupational Health clearances.