Professor Waksman is a leading scientist in the field of Structural Microbiology. He is the recipient of many awards, and members of numerous National Academies including the prestigious Royal Society (the UK National Academy of Sciences) and the German National Academy of Sciences. He investigates bacterial DNA injectosomes, seeking to understand how they work, and how they can be inhibited. These membrane-embedded systems have exceptional biomedical importance as they play crucial roles in the spread of antibiotic resistance genes among bacterial pathogens.

Representative Publications:

Williams et al., (2025). Nature comms. 16(1): 4906. 

K. Macé et al., (2022). Nature, 607, 191-196. 

A. Ilangovan et al., (2017). Cell. 169, 708–721. 

T. Costa et al., (2016). Cell. 166, 1436–1444.

More can be learned at https://people.ismb.lon.ac.uk/gabriel-waksman/homepage.htm

We offer an international, creative, and inspiring environment. The successful candidates will benefit from our large network of collaborations and have immediate opportunities to contribute to international projects.

Open Positions

We are seeking:

1- Two Postdoctoral Fellow positions with specialism in cryo-Electron Microscopy and

2- Two Postdoctoral Fellow positions with specialism in Fluorescence Microscopy.

Qualifications

For the Postdoctoral Fellow positions with specialism in cryo-Electron Microscopy, applicants should have a PhD in Biophysics, X-ray Crystallography. Structural Biology, Biochemistry or related areas, and preferably (but not exclusively) extensive experience in cryo-Electron Microscopy data collection and processing. Excellent knowledge of molecular biology is essential. Working knowledge of the English language and willingness to improve language skills is essential.

For the Postdoctoral Fellow positions with specialism in Fluorescence Microscopy, applicants should have a PhD in Molecular and Cell MicroBiology or related areas, and preferably extensive experience in Fluorescence Microscopy data collection and processing as applies to live imaging of bacterial cells. Excellent knowledge of molecular biology is essential. Working knowledge of the English language and willingness to improve language skills is essential.

Main responsibilities

Research and Scholarship

· To characterize structural and functional features of multicomponent complexes involved in DNA transfer by conjugative type IV secretion systems (T4SS). This will require the postdoctoral scholars to participate in designing and carrying out experiments aiming to determine and dissect the molecular mechanism of the transport machinery.

· For both experimental design and interpretation of results, extensive scientific interactions with the collaborating laboratories will be essential.

· To conduct individual and collaborative research projects and write up research for publication.

· To update knowledge and understanding in field or specialism.

· To translate knowledge of advances in the subject area into research activity.

Teaching & Learning

· To contribute to the assessment of PhD student knowledge and supervision of their projects.

· To assist in the development of PhD student research skills and projects.

· To supervise PhD student work.

People Management and Teamwork

· To manage own research and administrative activities, with guidance if required.

· To work with colleagues on joint projects is essential.

· To collaborate with academic colleagues on areas of shared research interest.

· To attend and contribute to relevant meetings.

· To assume organizational roles in lab management.

Problem Solving and Impact

· To use new research techniques and methods.

· To use own initiative and creativity to identify areas for research, develop new research methods, and extend the research portfolio.

· To use expertise to analyse and interpret research data and draw conclusions on the outcomes.

· To contribute to collaborative decision making with colleagues in areas of research.

a. Competitive salary based on the job applicant's work experience and abilities (salary negotiable).