Postdoctoral Fellow - Cellular signalling and cytoskeletal function lab

Salary for this Role:

From £45,500 with benefits, subject to skills and experience.

Job Title:

Reports to:

Closing Date:

Job Description:

Job Title:  Postdoctoral fellow - Cellular signalling and cytoskeletal function - Way lab

Details of the role:

Reports to: Michael Way – Group Leader

Working pattern: This is a full-time fixed term position for 4 years on Crick Terms & Conditions of Employment

Application closing date: 19th of February 2026 at 23.59

About us

The Francis Crick Institute is Europe’s largest biomedical research institute under one roof. Our world-class scientists and staff collaborate on vital research to help prevent, diagnose and treat illnesses such as cancer, heart disease, infectious diseases and neurodegenerative conditions. 

The Crick is a place for collaboration, innovation and exploration across many disciplines. A space where the brightest minds can pursue big and bold ideas and discover answers to crucial scientific questions. We support them in a dynamic environment which fosters excellence with state-of-the-art infrastructure, cutting-edge facilities, and a creative and curious culture. We’ve removed traditional boundaries of departments, divisions and disciplines and instead have an open approach that supports every researcher. This gives us the freedom to take risks and carry out high-quality, pioneering research. Creating a space for discovery without boundaries helps us to turn our science into benefits for human health and the economy. 

About the role

We are seeking a talented, highly motivated and independent post-doctoral scientist to work on a project examining the role of molecular motors (myosins and kinesins) and the cytoskeleton (actin, septin and microtubules) during vaccinia virus egress. This work will employ a combination of biochemical, structural and cellular approaches, including advanced live cell imaging and in vitro motility assays. The position is based in Michael Way’s laboratory at the Francis Crick Institute.

Click here to read more about the Way lab

The Project

Investigating how viruses use the different cellular machineries and processes of their hosts during replication, assembly and spread offers a unique opportunity to obtain mechanistic insights into the regulation and function of diverse cellular processes.  To this end, we use Vaccinia virus as a model together with quantitative imaging and biochemical approaches to study a variety of cellular processes, including regulation and function of the actin and microtubule cytoskeletons, as well as septins. 

Vaccinia virus is the prototypical member of the poxvirus family, which includes the causative agents of smallpox and mpox.  Like all poxviruses, Vaccinia undergoes a complex replication and assembly process in viral factories in the cytoplasm of infected cells (PMID: 36862727). Following assembly, both intracellular mature (IMV) and intracellular enveloped (IEV) virions recruit kinesin-1 to undergo microtubule-based motility from their site of assembly to the plasma membrane (PMID: 36093836). 

We have a good understanding of how IEV recruit kinesin-1, but the molecular basis for motor recruitment to IMV remains unknown. We also lack an understanding of how virions fuse with the plasma membrane and how the cytoskeleton and associated signalling pathways regulate viral exocytosis.  Immediately after virion fusion with the plasma membrane, but prior to the induction of actin polymerization, vaccinia recruits septins and clathrin (PMID: 29921601 and BioRxiv https://doi.org/10.1101/2025.08.20.671218). Septins act as a restriction factor that suppresses viral release from the cell, while clathrin enhances viral spread by promoting actin assembly.  The molecular basis for septin recruitment beneath extracellular virions on the plasma membrane remains unknown. It also remains to be established how signalling pathways and cytoskeletal dynamics facilitate the spread of vaccinia virus in a tissue rather than between cells in a tissue culture dish.  

The focus of the project will depend on the candidates own interests, while aiming to address the questions outlined above, using a combination of biochemical, structural and cellular approaches. These will include advanced live cell imaging and in vitro motility assays to understand the role of molecular motors (kinesins and myosins), as well as microtubules, actin and septins in the assembly and egress of vaccinia virus. 

What you will be doing

Postdoctoral Fellows are expected to lead their own projects, contribute to other projects on a collaborative basis (both in the lab and with external collaborators) and guide PhD students in their research. The ability to work in a team is essential.

You will:

• Perform live cell imaging to track cytoskeletal, motor and viral dynamics in real time.

• Perform biochemical and cell based assays to determine how virions interact with kinesins, myosins, septins and other host factors.

• Use in vitro motility assays to reconstitute and analyse motor‑driven transport of virions.

• Manipulate host cells (e.g., siRNA, CRISPR, inhibitors) to test how specific pathways, motors or cytoskeletal components affect viral movement and egress.

• Contribute to other projects on a collaborative basis

• Guide PhD students in their research

• Lead on projects

Please see full job description here along with relevant recent lab publications

About you

You will have:

• A PhD in biochemistry, cell or molecular biology *

• Good knowledge and experience in signalling and cytoskeleton*

• Technical expertise in imaging, cell biology and/or biochemistry *

• Track record of writing papers as evidenced by publications or submitted manuscripts

• Evidence of data presentation at scientific meetings

• Ability to work independently and also capable of interacting within a group

• Experience in live cell imaging and image analysis (desirable)

*Minimum Criteria

About Working at the Crick

Our values  

Everyone who works at the Crick has a valuable role to play in advancing the Crick’s mission and shaping our culture. 

• We are bold. We make space for creative, dynamic and imaginative ideas and approaches. We’re not afraid to do things differently. 

• We are open. We’re highly collaborative and interactive, and make sure our activities are visible to the outside world. 

• We are collegial. We show respect for one another, work cooperatively and support the wider community. 

At the Francis Crick Institute, we believe that diversity and inclusion are essential to driving innovation and scientific discovery. We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to succeed, regardless of their background, identity, or personal circumstances. We actively encourage applications from individuals of all genders, ethnicities, abilities, and experiences. We are a Disability Confident: Committed employer and want to ensure that everyone can apply and be part of our recruitment processes and so we'll make reasonable adjustments if you need them - just let us know when you apply. If you need assistance with applying (i.e., would like to apply by phone or post) please email: [email protected]

Find out more about life at the Crick.

What will you receive?  

At the Francis Crick Institute, we value our team members and are proud to offer an extensive range of benefits to support their well-being and development: 

• Visas: Applicants for this role will be eligible for sponsorship to work in the UK 

• Generous Leave: 28 days of annual leave, plus three additional days over Christmas and bank holidays. 

• Pension Scheme: Defined contribution pension with employer contributions of up to 16%. 

• Health & Well-being: 

• 24/7 GP consultation services. 

• Occupational health services and mental health support programs. 

• Eye care vouchers and discounted healthcare plans. 

• Work-Life Balance: 

• Back-up care for dependents. 

• Childcare support allowance. 

• Annual leave purchase options. 

• Crick Networks offering diverse groups’ support, community and inclusive social events.

• Perks: 

• Discounted gym memberships, bike-to-work scheme, and shopping discounts. 

• Subsidised on-site restaurant and social spaces for team interaction. 

Please note you must meet the essential criteria listed within the Role Profile, to have your application reviewed.  

We reserve the right to withdraw this advert at any given time due to the number of applications received.