Postdoctoral Researcher
Post Details
Job Title
Postdoctoral Researcher
Post Number
1004752
Closing Date
1 Oct 2024
Grade
SC6
Starting Salary
£36,720 - £44,500
Hours per week
37
Project Title
Postdoctoral Research Opportunity in Root Nodule Symbiosis
Expected/Ideal Start Date
02 Dec 2024
Months Duration
36
Interview Date
14 Oct 2024

Job Description

Main Purpose of the Job

Postdoctoral Researchers work with limited supervision to carry out individual and collaborative research projects relevant to the overall needs of the research program.

Key Relationships

The ideal candidate will have a strong motivation for curiosity-driven science and a collaborative mindset to work effectively within a collegial, multidisciplinary, and interactive team. The role will involve assisting in the supervision of students, delivering seminars, and contributing to the writing up the research findings, so good communication and writing skills are essential. 

 

Main Activities & Responsibilities

Percentage
Identify, plan, carry out and modify experiments to meet the objectives of the project
50
Prepare results, reports and manuscripts for publication in leading scientific journals and other relevant media
10
Disseminate research findings through presentations to various audiences at internal, national and international meetings
10
Collaborate with colleagues within the Institute in the development of original and world-class research, including contributing to research proposals and grant applications
10
Ensure research and record keeping is carried out in accordance with good practice, Scientific Integrity and in compliance with local policies and any legal requirements
5
Contribute to the smooth running of the group, including the effective use of resources, supervision of visitors to the laboratory and assisting with training others, encouraging scientific excellence
5
Continually strive for excellence, seeking out and acting on feedback and relevant learning and development opportunities
5
Liaise with industry and other external stakeholders
5
As agreed with the line manager, any other duties commensurate with the nature of the post, for example, contributing to the work of Institute committees

Person Profile

Education & Qualifications

Requirement
Importance
BSc or equivalent in Plant Molecular Biology, Plant Cell Biology or Plant Biochemistry
Essential
PhD in Plant Molecular Biology, Plant Cell Biology or Plant Biochemistry.
Essential

Specialist Knowledge & Skills

Requirement
Importance
Standard molecular biology techniques, statistical and/or bioinformatics analyses
Essential
Advanced confocal microscopy techniques
Essential

Relevant Experience

Requirement
Importance
Experience of oral research presentations
Essential
Demonstrated ability to perform research and develop novel ideas
Essential
Proven record in scientific writing
Essential
Preparing data / information for grant proposals
Desirable
Experience of supervising, training and mentoring visitors and students
Desirable

Interpersonal & Communication Skills

Requirement
Importance
Excellent communication skills, both written and oral, including the ability to present complex information with clarity
Essential
Good interpersonal skills, with the ability to work as part of a team
Essential
Demonstrated ability to work independently, using initiative and applying problem solving skills
Essential
Excellent time management and organisational skills
Essential
Ability to collaborate with internal and external stakeholders
Essential
Ability to follow instructions/Standard Operating Procedures
Essential
Promotes and strives for continuous improvement
Essential

Additional Requirements

Requirement
Importance
Promotes equality and values diversity
Essential
Willingness to embrace the expected values and behaviours of all staff at the Institute, ensuring it is a great place to work
Essential
Able to present a positive image of self and the Institute, promoting both the international reputation and public engagement aims of the Institute
Essential
Ability to maintain confidentiality and security of information where appropriate
Essential
Willingness to work outside standard working hours when required
Essential
Ability to undertake occasional travel (national and international) related to collaborations and/or seminars
Essential
Attention to detail
Essential

Who We Are

John Innes Centre

The John Innes Centre is an independent, international centre of excellence in plant and microbial genetics, carrying out fundamental and strategic research, to train scientists and making our findings available to society.

Our research makes use of a wide range of disciplines in the biological and chemical sciences including; cell biology, biochemistry, chemistry, genetics and molecular biology.

For more information about working at the John Innes Centre, please click here.

We pride ourselves on being a welcoming and inclusive working environment for all. We have a diverse and multicultural scientific community and thrive on our European and international links, appointing staff from across the world. Any candidate who would like further information on current or anticipated immigration requirements can contact the HR Team on +44 (0)1603 450888 or nbi.recruitment@nbi.ac.uk.

We are proud to hold a prestigious Athena SWAN Gold award, recognising the impact of our work in promoting gender equality in science. We are also a proud member of the Stonewall Diversity Champion’s programme, a founding signatory of the Tecnician Commitment and, as a Disability Confident employer, guarantee to offer an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the post.

The John Innes Centre is a registered charity (No. 223852), limited by guarantee (registered in England No. 511709).

Department

Cell & Developmental Biology

Development continues throughout the life of the plant. While many linear pathways affecting development have been discovered and are illustrated by elegant genetic studies, the challenge of the future will be for us to understand how these developmental pathways are integrated, both with themselves as well as with environmental signals, to enable a mature plant to grow from a seed.  Guided by evolutionary principles, the Department uses its knowledge of biological processes obtained in laboratory organisms such as Arabidopsis to understand processes in crop plants such as Brassicas and cereals.  To study this interaction of the plant genome with internal developmental networks and the environment, the Department uses a combination of genetic, cell biological, molecular and evolutionary strategies. The insights we are gaining provide both an increasingly detailed knowledge of the proteins involved in diverse regulatory mechanisms and a conceptual framework in which this knowledge can be related and eventually integrated into a molecular description of plant cell function.   The knowledge the department is creating is relevant to agriculture. Genes that control plant stature, form, over-wintering responses and growth are potentially useful for improving crop performance.

Group Details

Our research focuses on understanding the complex plant signalling networks that govern endosymbiotic interactions between soil microbes and crops.

Living in Norfolk

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Postdoctoral Researcher
Salary:                £36,720 - £44,500 per annum depending on qualifications and experience.
Contract:           36 months, full time
Location:           John Innes Centre, Norwich, UK.
Closing date: 1 October 2024
Reference:        1004752

Applications are invited for Postdoctoral Researcher to join the group of Dr. Myriam Charpentier at the John Innes Centre (JIC). Our research focuses on understanding the complex plant signalling networks that govern endosymbiotic interactions between soil microbes and crops. This project aims to characterise a novel plant signalling mechanism that enables nitrogen-fixing rhizobia to successfully colonize root nodule.  

About the John Innes Centre:

The John Innes Centre is an independent, international centre of excellence in plant and microbial sciences. We nurture a creative, curiosity-led approach to answering fundamental questions in bioscience, and translate that knowledge into societal benefits. Our strategic vision, Healthy Plants, Healthy People, Healthy Planet, sets out our ambitious long-term goals for the game changing impact of our science globally. 

Our employees enjoy access to state-of-the-art technology and a diverse range of specialist training opportunities, including support for leadership and management. Click here to find out more about working at the John Innes Centre.

About the Charpentier Group:

Our research focuses on understanding the complex plant signalling networks that govern endosymbiotic interactions between soil microbes and crops.

The role:

We are seeking a highly motivated and innovative Postdoctoral Researcher to explore the role of a newly identified regulator essential for root nodule symbiosis. The successful candidate will join an interdisciplinary, and international team, with access to cutting-edge facilities and outstanding institutional support. This position offers excellent opportunities for professional development, including training in advanced techniques in cell biology and proteomics.

The ideal candidate:

The successful candidate will have a PhD in Plant Molecular Biology, Plant Cell Biology or Plant Biochemistry. They should also possess solid experience with standard molecular biology techniques, statistical and/or bioinformatics analyses and advanced confocal microscopy techniques.

The ideal candidate will have a strong motivation for curiosity-driven science and a collaborative mindset to work effectively within a collegial, multidisciplinary, and interactive team. The role will involve assisting in the supervision of students, delivering seminars, and contributing to the writing up the research findings, so good communication and writing skills are essential. 

Additional information:

This position is available with immediate effect and is for a contract of 36 months. Applicants are invited to apply with their CV and a short cover letter explaining their motivation and interest.

Interviews will be held on 14 October 2024.

This role meets the criteria for a visa application, and we encourage all qualified candidates to apply.  Please contact the Human Resources Team if you have any questions regarding your application or visa options.

We are an equal opportunities employer, actively supporting inclusivity and diversity.  As a Disability Confident organisation, we guarantee to offer an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for this vacancy. We are proud to hold a prestigious Gold Athena SWAN award in recognition of our inclusive culture, commitment and good practices towards advancing of gender equality. We offer an exciting, stimulating, diverse research environment and actively promote a family friendly workplace. The Institute is also a member of Stonewall’s Diversity Champions programme.

The John Innes Centre is a registered charity (No. 223852) grant-aided by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council.