Job Specifications
About The Role
Informal Queries
For informal queries, please contact Professor Satyajit Mayor at Satyajit.Mayor@warwick.ac.uk
The successful candidate will join the laboratory of Professor Satyajit Mayor at the Centre for Mechanochemical Cell Biology, Warwick Medical School.
The successful candidate will build a microscopy setup from scratch, including planning and assembling an optical system, developing software to control all components such as stages and cameras, integrating them into a single GUI, and creating quantitative image analysis routines. The technique will be applied to study cultured neurons.
About You
The successful candidate will have a PhD in physics or engineering with focus on optics.
Experienced with the design, modification, bring-up and operation of bespoke microscopy setups. Good experience in modelling and simulation of optical systems.
Good experience in Python software development for simulation, quantitative imaging analysis, control of optical setups and GUIs for their operation.
Experience with quality control and optimisation of clean room protocols for microscopy sample fabrication. Good experience in neuronal culture and imaging.
For details on the experience and skills required, please refer to the job description attached as a PDF below.
PhD Status
If you are near submission of your PhD, or have not yet had it conferred, any offers of employment will be made at Research Assistant level, at the highest spinal point of pay grade 5 (£34,610 per annum).
Upon receipt of evidence confirming the successful award of your PhD, you will be promoted to Research Fellow, at the lowest spinal point of grade 6 (£35,608 per annum).
About The Department
We offer an outstanding interdisciplinary environment for discovery science in one of the best universities in the UK. The Centre of Mechanochemical Cell Biology at the University of Warwick seeks to understand the principles of cellular self-organisation with a focus on the role of mechanics in processes that enable cell duplication, movement, repair and membrane organisation.
The centre is home to 19 principal investigators with backgrounds in cell biology, computer science and physics. It is housed in the Mechanochemical Cell Biology building with state-of-the art imaging facilities.
The post holder will also join the Biomedical Sciences Directorate at the Warwick Medical School (BMS). Areas of research excellence in BMS focus on quantitative molecular, cell and developmental biology, host-pathogen interactions and human reproduction.
About The University
We are a world-leading research-intensive university founded in 1965. We are ranked 106th in the world and 8th in the UK.* Additionally, 92% of our research is rated world-leading or internationally excellent.**
Find out more about us at warwick.ac.uk/about/.
World University Ranking 2024, Guardian University Guide 2025
Research Excellence Framework 2021
How to Apply
CLOSING DEADLINE: Sunday 8th February 2026 at 11:55pm (UK Time)
To apply, please click "Apply" below and submit an application form by the closing deadline. You will be asked to include a CV and a cover letter.
Your CV Should Include
Your education and employment history (including your most recent employment).
Any other relevant experience (e.g. volunteering, extracurricular, etc.).
Your Cover Letter Should Explain
Your motivations for applying to the role.
Using examples, how you meet the essential and desirable criteria detailed in the job description (PDF attached below).
All essential criteria must be met by candidates who are invited to interview.
You are welcome to include details of any career breaks (e.g. parental leave, caring responsibilities, sick leave).
Interview Date: To be confirmed
Start Date: 2nd March 2026
Please note application forms must be submitted before the stated deadline - you will not be able to submit after 23:55 (even if you opened the form earlier). Only applications submitted via our official careers portal (warwick-careers.tal.net) will be considered.
What we Offer
We Provide a Comprehensive Range Of Benefits, Including
An attractive pension scheme.
30 days holiday plus University Christmas closure.
Generous parental/adoption leave policy.
Onsite childcare facilities.
Excellent learning and development opportunities.
We recognise the importance of a healthy work/life balance and offer access to flexible working arrangements. For more information, see here.
We are proud to be a Living Wage employer.
Our Commitment to Inclusion
Equality, Diversity, & Inclusion
Warwick is committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive and respectful community where everyone can thrive. We welcome applications from all backgrounds, cultures, and communities, and actively encourage candidates from underrepresented groups to apply.
Find out more about our Social Inclusion work at Warwick.
Find out more about our awards and accreditations.
We are also one of the six founder
About the Company
We're a world-leading university with the highest academic and research standards. But we're not letting the story end there. That's because we're a place of possibility. We're always looking for new ways to make things happen. And our students, alumni and staff are consistently making an impact - the kind that changes lives, whether close to home or on a global scale. It's the achievements of our people that help explain why our levels of research excellence and scholarship are recognised internationally. It's a prime attra...
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