PhD Positions in Quantitative Imaging of Ciliary Transport

About this position

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:

PhD Positions in Quantitative Imaging of Ciliary Transport

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

Our lab explores how molecular motors and cytoskeletal systems organize cells into functional compartments. Using C. elegans sensory neurons, we combine genetics, advanced fluorescence microscopy, and single-molecule biophysics to uncover how proteins are selectively transported into cilia—tiny cellular antennae essential for sensing and signaling.

We are recruiting PhD students for two complementary project tracks :

Track A — Single-Molecule Dissection of Ciliary Entry

This project focuses on how membrane proteins are sorted at the ciliary base and engage with intraflagellar transport (IFT) trains to enter the cilium. You will use single-molecule imaging in living neurons to track proteins from dendritic transport to ciliary entry and quantify their interactions with the IFT machinery. The goal is to reveal the physical and molecular principles that preserve ciliary identity.

You will work with state-of-the-art microscopy, genetically encoded reporters, and quantitative image analysis to study molecular dynamics in vivo.

Track B — Developing Next-Generation Imaging with Synthetic Dyes

This project centers on building new imaging technology. You will help develop methods that combine ensemble (bulk) and single-molecule measurements in the same living cell, using self-labelling tags (HaloTag/SNAP-tag) and bright synthetic fluorophores.

You will establish strategies to:

• Track individual molecules over long times with superior brightness and photostability.
• Image the same protein population simultaneously at single-molecule and ensemble levels.
• Visualize transport, entry, exit, and recycling of proteins in sensory cilia in real time.

This track sits at the intersection of optical physics, chemical biology, and cell biology, with substantial freedom for technological innovation.

These position are for you if you:

• Are excited by quantitative biology at the interface of physics and cell biology.
• Enjoy microscopy and learning how to extract meaning from complex image data.
• Like thinking mechanistically about dynamic cellular processes.
• Are curious, inventive, and motivated to learn new experimental and computational skills.

Candidate profile:

• Master’s degree in molecular/cellular biology, biophysics, physics, bioengineering, chemistry, or a related field.
• Interest in microscopy and quantitative approaches.
• Prior experience with C. elegans, imaging, optics, or coding is welcome but not required.

Preferred start date: Flexible (2026)

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

We offer

• Fully funded PhD positions (or co-funded according to admission outcome).
• Training in advanced live-cell and single-molecule microscopy.
• An international, interdisciplinary environment at the BIOCEV research center.
• Access to state-of-the-art imaging facilities (TIRF, spinning-disk, lattice light-sheet).
• Supportive mentoring in a newly built, creative research group where you can shape your project.

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:

• CV
• motivation letter (please indicate whether you are interested in Track A, Track B, or both) including contact details of one or two references

through our website: https://www.ibt.cas.cz/en/career-and-education/career-and-study/ . 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 )

Join us to uncover—and invent—new ways of seeing how molecules work inside living cells.

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