Research Fellow, Infection Cell Biology and Expansion Microscopy [LKCMedicine]

The Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine (LKCMedicine) trains doctors who put patients at the centre of their exemplary care. The School, which offers both undergraduate and graduate programmes, is named after local philanthropist Tan Sri Dato Lee Kong Chian. Established in 2010 by Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, in partnership with Imperial College London, LKCMedicine aims to be a model for innovative medical education and a centre for transformative research. The School’s primary clinical partner is the National Healthcare Group, a leader in public healthcare recognised for the quality of its medical expertise, facilities and teaching. The School is transitioning to an NTU medical school ahead of the 2028 successful conclusion of the NTU-Imperial partnership to set up a Joint Medical School. In August 2024, we welcomed our first intake of the NTU MBBS programme, that has been recently enhanced to include themes like precision medicine and Artificial Intelligence (AI) in healthcare, with an expanded scope in the medical humanities. Graduates from the five-year undergraduate medical degree programme will have a strong understanding of the scientific basis of medicine, with an emphasis on technology, data science and the humanities.

The Mesquita Lab explores how pathogens remodel host lipid membranes and how cells respond to this damage, with a particular focus on protein lipidation (S-acylation) as a regulator of infection, immunity, and organelle function. We draw on approaches from cell and molecular biology, biochemistry, virology, advanced microscopy, genomics, chemical biology, and structural biology. The laboratory is establishing expansion microscopy, combined with super-resolution imaging, as a core capability to resolve the architecture of host and viral membrane compartments during infection. Our aim is to uncover the fundamental mechanisms of membrane biology and connect these insights to therapeutic strategies against infection, inflammation, and related pathologies. As the lab is being established at LKCMedicine, new members will have the opportunity to join at an early stage, contributing to projects grounded in solid preliminary findings while helping shape a collaborative and innovative research environment. The lab fosters connections across NTU and LKCMedicine, as well as through an extensive international network of partners.

 

We are looking for a Research Fellow to lead a project on the spatial organisation of host and viral organelles during infection, using expansion microscopy combined with super-resolution imaging. The role will focus on how protein S-acylation shapes membrane architecture, organelle contacts and viral replication compartments, and on establishing expansion microscopy as a robust, quantitative imaging capability within the laboratory. The Research Fellow will combine independent scientific leadership of this line of work with method development, quantitative image analysis and the mentoring of junior laboratory members, contributing directly to LKCMedicine's mission of transformative research in infection and immunity. The post-holder will be encouraged and supported to develop an independent research direction and to apply for external fellowship funding during the appointment.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead an independent line of research on the spatial organisation of host and viral organelles during infection, using expansion microscopy together with confocal, super-resolution and other advanced imaging approaches.

• Develop, validate and apply expansion microscopy and related sample-preparation workflows to host membrane compartments and pathogen-induced structures, helping to establish these as a robust capability within the laboratory.

• Investigate how protein lipidation (S-acylation) shapes membrane architecture, organelle contacts and compartment identity, using genetic, chemical and biochemical perturbation.

• Design and perform quantitative image analysis to extract structural and morphological measurements from large imaging datasets.

• Carry out cell culture, molecular biology, genome editing and infection experiments.

• Apply complementary biochemical, biophysical or structural approaches to support and extend the imaging work, as the questions of the project develop.

• Interpret results critically, contribute to the scientific direction of the project, and propose new experimental avenues.

• Prepare manuscripts, figures and presentations, present results at international meetings, and contribute to grant applications, including applications for the post-holder's own external fellowship funding.

• Supervise and mentor students at PhD, Master's and undergraduate level, and contribute to a collaborative and inclusive laboratory environment.

• Build and maintain collaborations within LKCMedicine and NTU, with imaging and other core facilities, and with international partners.

• Maintain rigorous experimental records, and ensure compliance with biosafety, risk assessment and institutional research governance requirements.

Key Competencies and Requirements:

• PhD in cell biology, structural biology, biochemistry, biophysics, bioengineering, molecular biology or a closely related discipline.

• A strong research track record, including first-author publications in peer-reviewed international journals.

• Substantial hands-on experience in advanced fluorescence microscopy, including confocal and live-cell imaging.

• Practical experience with expansion microscopy, or with another super-resolution modality (structured illumination, STED or single-molecule localization microscopy) together with a clear interest in establishing expansion microscopy.

• Experience in the imaging and structural characterization of subcellular organelles or macromolecular assemblies.

• Experience in mammalian cell culture, molecular biology and protein biochemistry.

• Experience in the quantitative analysis of imaging data using established image-analysis software or scripting approaches.

• Experience with protein production and structural or biophysical characterization (for example X-ray crystallography, SAXS or cryo-EM) is an advantage.

• Experience with image-based or visual screening approaches is an advantage.

• Prior experience with infection models, membrane biology and analysis of subcellular structures  is an advantage; training will be provided.

• Demonstrated experience in supervising or mentoring students at undergraduate and postgraduate level.

• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English, and a track record of presenting at international meetings.

• Ability to work independently and to plan, troubleshoot and deliver a research project, together with a collaborative approach to teamwork.

• Motivation to develop an independent research direction and to apply for external fellowship funding.

We regret to inform that only shortlisted candidates will be notified.

Hiring Institution: LKC