- Job Title
- Postdoctoral Researcher
- Post Number
- 1004766
- Closing Date
- 31 Oct 2024
- Grade
- SC6
- Starting Salary
- £36,720 - £44,500
- Hours per week
- 37
- Project Title
- Plasmodesmata as regulators of the growth-defence trade-off
- Expected/Ideal Start Date
- 01 Dec 2024
- Months Duration
- 18
Job Description
Main Purpose of the Job
The Postdoctoral Researcher will undertake research to identify how cell-to-cell connections and communication in plants regulate immune and stress responses.
For this, the Postdoctoral Researcher will use cell biology and genetic analysis to both identify and characterise the different mechanisms by which molecules spread between cells and the information and resources they carry. The Postdoctoral Researcher will work independently to produce data and critically analyse this data, and by keeping up to date with current developments in the field contribute insights and ideas that help develop the project. This research is part of a large-scale, multidisciplinary programme and therefore the Postdoctoral Researcher will be an active and collaborative member of a larger team.
Key Relationships
The postdoctoral researcher will be supervised by Dr Christine Faulkner and be a member of the Faulkner laboratory. They will also have the opportunity to be an active member of the scientific community at the John Innes Centre and the Sainsbury Laboratory.
Main Activities & Responsibilities
- Identify, plan, carry out and modify experiments to meet the objectives of the project
- Collaborate with colleagues within the Institute in the development of original and world-class research, including contributing to research proposals and grant applications
- Prepare results, reports and manuscripts for publication in leading scientific journals and other relevant media
- Disseminate research findings through presentations to various audiences at internal, national and international meetings
- 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
- Continually strive for excellence, seeking out and acting on feedback and relevant learning and development opportunities
- 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
- 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 Biology
- Essential
- PhD (full award or expected within 6 months) or equivalent in Plant Biology or related discipline
- Essential
Specialist Knowledge & Skills
- Requirement
- Importance
- Laboratory skills in plant molecular biology
- Essential
- Evidence of skills and experience in live cell imaging
- Essential
- Knowledge and experience in handling plant pathogens
- Essential
- Knowledge and experience in cell-to-cell communication
- Essential
- Skills and experience in preparing and analysing transcriptional datasets
- Desirable
Relevant Experience
- Requirement
- Importance
- Demonstrated ability to perform research and develop novel ideas
- Essential
- Proven record in scientific writing
- Essential
- Experience of oral research presentations
- Essential
- Preparing data / information for grant proposals
- Essential
- Experience of supervising, training and mentoring visitors and students
- Desirable
Interpersonal & Communication Skills
- Requirement
- Importance
- Ability to observe and reason accurately
- Essential
- Demonstrated ability to work independently, using initiative and applying problem solving skills
- Essential
- Ability to collaborate with internal and external stakeholders
- Essential
- Excellent communication skills, both written and oral, including the ability to present complex information with clarity
- Essential
- Excellent time management and organisational skills, including record keeping
- Essential
- Good interpersonal skills, with the ability to work as part of a team
- Essential
- Highly motivated with the ability to learn quickly
- 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
- 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
- Able to present a positive image of self and the Institute, promoting both the international reputation and public engagement aims of the Institute
- 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
Group Details
The Faulkner laboratory focuses on the role of intercellular communication in plant immune responses. Cell-to-cell communication is a fundamental biological process, necessary for co-ordination of development and environmental responses in multicellular organisms. Intercellular pores called plasmodesmata bridge plant cell walls to connect neighbouring cells, generating an interconnected symplast and regulating the flow of many different classes of molecules from cell-to-cell. The objective of our research is to identify what molecules and signals move simplistically during plant immune responses, with the aim of understanding the multicellular nature of plant immunity.
Living in Norfolk
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Postdoctoral Researcher
Salary: £36,720 - £44,500 per annum depending on qualifications and experience.
Contract: 18 months, full time
Location: John Innes Centre, Norwich, UK.
Closing date: 31 October 2024
Reference: 1004766
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Postdoctoral Researcher to join the Faulkner Group at the John Innes Centre, working on cutting-edge science in the field of Cell and Developmental Biology.
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 Faulkner Group:
The Faulkner laboratory focuses on the role of intercellular communication in plant immune responses. Cell-to-cell communication is a fundamental biological process, necessary for co-ordination of development and environmental responses in multicellular organisms. Research in the Faulkner lab addresses how cell-to-cell communication in plants contributes to the initiation and execution of plant immune responses.
The objective of our research is to identify what molecules and signals move simplistically during plant immune responses, with the aim of understanding the multicellular nature of plant immunity.
The role:
The Postdoctoral Researcher will conduct innovative research to identify and characterise the signals and immune responses that spread from cell-to-cell via the symplast following localised perception of a pathogen, and how this differs across different organs of different developmental stages. They will use a combination of cell biological, gene expression analysis, proteomic and genetic approaches to generate data and formulate new hypotheses regarding how cell-to-cell communication underpins plant immune responses.
The ideal candidate:
The post holder will have a PhD (full award or expected within 6 months) or equivalent in Plant Biology or a related discipline. The post holder will have knowledge and experience in both cell-to-cell communication and handling plant pathogens.
The successful candidate will have demonstrated ability to perform research and develop novel ideas along with a proven record in scientific writing and oral presentations.
Additional information:
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.