Postdoctoral Researcher in Molecular Transport Dynamics Full-time

Institute of Biotechnology of the Czech Academy of Sciences announces an open competition in accordance with the Act No. 283/1992 Coll. on the Czech Academy of Sciences, and the Statutes of the Czech Academy of Sciences for a position:

Postdoctoral Researcher in Molecular Transport Dynamics

The Institute of Biotechnology (IBT) invites applications for a postdoctoral position in the newly established Laboratory of Intracellular Dynamics led by Aniruddha Mitra, PhD.

The lab investigates how cytoskeletal systems and molecular motors organize the interior of cells into functional compartments. Using C. elegans sensory neurons as a living model, we combine advanced fluorescence microscopy, single-molecule biophysics, and quantitative analysis to uncover the physical principles governing intracellular transport, protein sorting, and organelle specialization.

The position is for you if you:

• Are excited by quantitative biology at the interface of physics and cell biology.
• Enjoy working with advanced microscopy and extracting meaning from complex image data.
• Want to develop and apply new imaging and analysis approaches in living systems.
• Like thinking mechanistically about dynamic biological processes.
• Are motivated by independence, responsibility, and the chance to build something new.

About the role

The postdoc will develop and apply quantitative imaging approaches to study intracellular transport and cytoskeletal organization in living organisms. The project focuses on how molecular motors, cytoskeletal tracks, and transport complexes dynamically shape the composition of sensory cilia—tiny cellular antennae essential for signaling. You will work with state-of-the-art fluorescence microscopy (widefield/TIRF, spinning disk, lattice light-sheet), single-molecule imaging strategies, and genetically encoded reporters. The central part of the role is to transform rich imaging data into mechanistic insight using rigorous image analysis and quantitative modelling. The position offers freedom to shape your own sub-project within the lab’s core vision and to introduce new quantitative or computational approaches.

Key responsibilities

• Design and execute quantitative imaging experiments in living C. elegans.
• Develop and apply advanced image-analysis pipelines (MATLAB, Python, FIJI, or similar).
• Perform single-molecule and ensemble fluorescence measurements of intracellular dynamics.
• Collaborate with experimentalists and theoretical partners to link data with models.
• Contribute to manuscript preparation, grant reporting, and mentoring of students.
• Present research at national and international conferences.

Desired skills and experience

• PhD in biophysics, physics, quantitative biology, cell biology, bioengineering, or a related field (completed or near completion).
• Strong experience with fluorescence microscopy and/or quantitative image analysis.
• Programming skills for data analysis (MATLAB, Python, Julia, or similar).
• Interest in dynamic cellular processes and mechanistic interpretation of data.
• Excellent written and spoken English and enthusiasm for collaborative work.

Prior experience with C. elegans or ciliary biology is welcome but not required. A background in biophysics, quantitative cell biology, physics, or related fields is equally valued.

Attitude and drive

We are looking for a curious, inventive, and hands-on scientist who enjoys bridging experiment, imaging, and quantitative reasoning. You should be comfortable working independently, yet thrive in a collaborative, interdisciplinary environment. Precision in experimental work, intellectual honesty, and enthusiasm for building new tools and ideas are central to this role.

Preferred start date: Flexible (2026)

Application deadline: Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

We offer

• Full-time position (1 FTE) for one year, renewable up to four years.
• Stimulating, international, and interdisciplinary environment within BIOCEV, a research center hosting over 50 research groups and state-of-the-art core facilities (imaging, genomics, proteomics, animal facility, etc.).
• Involvement in top-level scientific research infrastructure.
• Competitive salary commensurate with experience and Czech Academy of Sciences standards.
• 5 weeks of vacation
• Meal allowance

About the Institute of Biotechnology of the Czech Academy of Sciences

The Institute of Biotechnology of the Czech Academy of Sciences (IBT, ibt.cas.cz) is a top-class multi-disciplinary public research institution in the Czech Republic whose mission is to research biomolecular mechanisms, the understanding of which contributes to the development of new diagnostic and therapeutic procedures and the emergence of innovative biotechnologies. IBT is located in the BIOCEV center (biocev.eu) operated by the Czech Academy of Sciences and Charles University. IBT has 230 employees, three quarters of which work in research.

Location

IBT is located in the BIOCEV center in Vestec, Prague-west, 30 minutes from the city center by public transport.

How to apply

Send your application including:

• your CV highlighting skills and experience most relevant to this position,
• a motivation letter explaining why you are interested in this position, why you would be a great fit for our team, outlining your future research plans/vision and including contact details of two references

through our website: [Please click the Apply button for the link or address]. Other forms of your application will not be considered.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an online or on-site interview and asked to present their recent work and research direction.

For more information, please contact Aniruddha Mitra (aniruddha.mitra@ibt.cas.cz)

We look forward to your application and to the possibility of working together to drive innovative research at IBT.

More details on the processing of personal data are available on the website: https://www.ibt.cas.cz/cs/o-ustavu/uredni-deska/gdpr/

Tagged as: Life Sciences