Postdoctoral Research Positions on Developmental Biology & Morphogenesis

Postdoctoral Research Positions on Developmental Biology & Morphogenesis
VISUAL-D Bridge Postdoctoral Initiative 2016
Universidad de Chile, & P. Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile

ABOUT VISUAL-D
VISUAL-D is a recently formed scientific initiative funded by CONICYT (Chile) that consolidates a scientific path and international collaborative network to create a cutting-edge, in vivo integrated multi-scale and trans-disciplinary scientific research team aimed to reveal mechanistic insights into the role played by genes and mechanical forces in the origin and shaping of developing tissues. VISUAL-D uses transparent embryo models and state-of-the-art technology that allow the direct visualization, analysis and manipulation of genetic signals and mechanical forces in development tissues, from sub-cellular to whole embryo levels, and a trans-disciplinary strategy that combines expertise from developmental genetics, cellular morphogenesis, cell biology, microscopy, image processing, mathematical modelling and computing.

POSTDOC POSITIONS
We are seeking proactive candidates with experience in developmental biology and/or morphogenesis, ideally (but not required) in zebrafish, willing to create new projects that associate developmental biology/morphogenesis with mathematics/physics in a trans disciplinary environment. Applicants must be about to finish or have a Ph.D. (awarded within the last 4 years) and a demonstrated track record of publications. The appointment begins after April 2016 and may last for a maximum of one and a half years. Candidates thus are required to apply to the Chilean FONDECYT Postdoctoral competition in May/June 2016 to extend their bridge funding (see rules at http://www.conicyt.cl/fondecyt/).

Topics include (i) epithelial morphogenesis in organogenesis, (ii) physical and chemical signals directing cell migration, and (iii) interplay of tissue dynamics and signalling in developmental stem cell niches. Experimental research will be conducted at the laboratories of Dr. Miguel Concha (U-Chile; www.ontogenesis.cl) and Dr. Julio Amigo (PUC-Chile; http://biologia.uc.cl/es/cuerpo-academico/profesor/78), in collaboration with mathematicians/computer scientists from the SCIAN-Lab (Drs. Steffen Härtel, Mauricio Cerda, and Rodrigo Assar; www.scian.cl).

HOW TO APPLY?
Candidates must send a full CV and a short statement of research interests (max of 1 page) to Prof. Miguel Concha (mconcha@med.uchile.cl), before July 1st. A short-list of candidates will be contacted in the following week to start the next stage of application, which will involve defining of a possible research project, and sending 2 letters of recommendation.

FURTHER INQUIRES TO Prof. Miguel Concha: mconcha@med.uchile.cl