The Mackenzie Fellowship is a highly prestigious 5-year fellowship position focused on innovative research. Working with the Mackenzie Institute for early diagnosis, the Schools of Medicine and the Sciences (specifically Physics & Astronomy, Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Maths & Statistics and Psychology & Neuroscience) are seeking to recruit a Research Fellow in the field of Biophotonic Imaging for Early Diagnosis. The schools are internationally recognised for their research and the University has recently topped the Times UK good University guide rankings, the first non-Oxbridge institution to do so. (http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk )

This position is part of a new initiative to further enhance cross-disciplinary research, in particular that relating to the early diagnosis of human disease. The Mackenzie Institute for Early Diagnosis (http://med.st-andrews.ac.uk/mackenzie/ was created to provide a focus for activity in this area and provides a vibrant intellectual community with strong clinical roots and established international links. The successful applicant will develop and lead a research programme in the emerging science and potential clinical applications of biophotonic imaging for early diagnosis of human disease.

The post will also align strongly with the Centre for Biophotonics (CoB) that undertakes work more broadly in both fundamental biology and medical diagnosis, uniting thirty research groups (https://synergy.st-andrews.ac.uk/cob/). The CoB main goal is to push the frontiers of optical imaging in three main areas: 3D microscopy, mechanobiology and neurosciences. Examples of key research areas within the CoB include light-sheet microscopy, single-molecule fluorescence and super-resolution imaging, interferometric methods for whole-cell mechanobiology (e.g., ERISM) and multiphoton methods for imaging at depth (e.g., TRAFIX).

The Fellowship is aimed at early career researchers and innovators to develop their careers in a supportive, world-leading research and translational environment. Applicants should have a strong track record in research creativity and published research, and present a clear vision of how they will develop a research programme that expands and complements our existing research strengths. The applicants will be required to apply for external funding for both personal fellowships and other grants. The appointment will be as a research fellow on a five-year contract with a view to appointment to an indefinite position towards the end of that period, subject to performance.

The Mackenzie Institute shares close relationships with numerous scientific schools across the Sciences with access to an array of state-of-the art facilities including mass spectrometry and proteomics facilities, a biophysics suite giving users access to a range of instrumentation and technical support, and a world leading biophotonics suite with unparalleled facilities and expertise in live cell imaging, super resolution, and advanced microscopy techniques. This dynamic STEM research environment provides the ideal location for the successful candidate to develop their research portfolio. Translational impact can be further developed by working with the University of St Andrews Eden Campus; an innovation centre that is home to several spin-out companies working at the frontiers of science and technology.

You will be asked to select which host School you would prefer to be primarily based within. If your research interests require affiliation with more than one School – and interdisciplinary work is strongly encouraged – you are invited to indicate a second relevant School within your application.

A generous start-up (upon negotiation) and a fully funded (3.5 year) PhD or equivalent Studentship to support the research will be provided. It is anticipated that following a successful review in the final 18 months of the Fellowship, the appointee will transition to a continuing post at an appropriate grade.

Applications are particularly welcome from women, people from the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) community, and other protected characteristics who are under-represented in research posts at the University.

Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of the St Andrews experience. We strive to create a fair and inclusive culture demonstrated through our commitment to diversity awards (Athena Swan, Carer Positive, LGBT Charter, Race Charters and Stonewall). We celebrate diversity by promoting profiles of BAME, LGBTIQ+ staff and supporting networks including the Staff BAME Network; Staff with Disabilities Network; Staff LGBTIQ+ Network; and the Staff Parents & Carers Network. Full details available online: https://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/hr/edi/

Applications should include:

A covering letter

A full curriculum vitae including a list of refereed publications, key conference contributions and contact details for three referees

A further document of not more than six pages in total that will include 

• A list of research achievements to date (One to two pages) -
• A list of the applicants four most significant scientific publications with a summary statement of their originality and significance (one page) 
• A statement of the applicant’s vision for their research at St Andrews (one to two pages) 
• A statement of the applicant’s teaching philosophy (one page) 
• A statement addressing past and/or potential future contributions to equality, diversity and inclusion through research, teaching and/or service.

Informal enquiries are welcome, and should be addressed in the first instance to Professor Ineke De Moortel, AVP Dean of Science (avpdeansci@st-andrews.ac.uk), Professor Ian Bonnell, Head of School of Physics (iab1@st-andrews.ac.uk), Professor Frank Gunn-Moore, Head of School of Biology (fjg1@st-andrews.ac.uk), Professor Christopher Baddeley, Head of School of Chemistry (cjb14@st-andrews.ac.uk), Professor David Crossman, Dean of Medicine (dcc7@st-andrews.ac.uk) and Professor Peter Donnelly, Director of the Mackenzie Institute (pdd21@st-andrews.ac.uk)

Closing Date: 31 October 2022

Interview Date: TBC

Please quote ref: AR2666GB

Further Particulars: AR2666GB FPs.doc