- Job Title
- Postdoctoral Researcher
- Post Number
- 1004769
- Closing Date
- 7 Oct 2024
- Grade
- SC6
- Starting Salary
- £36,720 - £44,500
- Hours per week
- 37
- Project Title
- Developing a gene editing pipeline in sugar beet
- Expected/Ideal Start Date
- 04 Nov 2024
- Months Duration
- 24
- Interview Date
- 17 Oct 2024
- Flexible Options
- Although full-time hours are available, applications from those interested in working part-time hours are also welcomed.
- If suitable applications are received, this post could be filled on a job-share basis.
Job Description
Main Purpose of the Job
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Postdoctoral Researcher to join the Penfield Group at the John Innes Centre, working on cutting-edge science in the field of Crop Genetics.
The post will include work towards gene editing in sugar beet and the post holder will closely with a strong team of external collaborators and this role will provide the opportunity to develop skills and gain experience working in public private partnerships. The candidate will also develop skills in project management, tissue culture, molecular biology and crop transformation
Key Relationships
Internal: Line manager, group members and, as necessary, other researchers, research support staff and students across the Institute. External: Collaborators
Main Activities & Responsibilities
- Percentage
- Identify, plan, carry out and modify experiments to meet the objectives of the project
- 60
- Prepare results, reports and manuscripts for publication in leading scientific journals and other relevant media
- 10
- Collaborate with colleagues within the Institute in the development of original and world-class research, including contributing to research proposals and grant applications
- 5
- Disseminate research findings through presentations to various audiences at internal, national and international meetings
- 5
- 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
- PhD (full award or expected within 6 months) or equivalent in biological sciences or related discipline
- Essential
- BSc or equivalent in biological sciences
- Essential
Specialist Knowledge & Skills
- Requirement
- Importance
- A good understanding of plant gene editing techniques
- Essential
Relevant Experience
- Requirement
- Importance
- Experience working with crop transformation or related processes
- Essential
- Previous experience in gene editing
- Essential
- Proven ability in molecular biology including construct design and assembly
- Essential
- Strong publication record, commensurate with career stage
- Desirable
Interpersonal & Communication Skills
- Requirement
- Importance
- Excellent communication skills, both written and oral, including the ability to present complex information with clarity
- Essential
- Ability to follow instructions/Standard Operating Procedures
- Essential
- Ability to collaborate with internal and external stakeholders
- Essential
- Demonstrated ability to work independently, using initiative and applying problem solving skills
- Essential
- Excellent time management and organisational skills
- Essential
- Good interpersonal skills, with the ability to work as part of a team
- Essential
Additional Requirements
- Requirement
- Importance
- Promotes equality and values diversity
- 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
- Willingness to embrace the expected values and behaviours of all staff at theInstitute, ensuring it is a great place to work
- 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
Crop Genetics
The Department of Crop Genetics undertakes fundamental research on the biology of cereals, brassicas and legumes to understand the genetic and molecular basis of phenotypic variation. A major goal is to develop the technologies and knowledge base to provide a predictive framework that will underpin conventional and novel plant breeding strategies. This will enable high-yielding, stress and disease resistant varieties, with a particular end-use quality, suitable for an efficient but benign agriculture.
Group Details
The Penfield Group works to understand the effects of seasonal changes in temperature on plant reproductive development. We work with the model species Arabidopsis and Arable crops to understand how weather and climate variation affect reproductive development, crop yield and quality. We have a particular focus on the role of parent plants in environmental sensing and influence progeny seed development and behaviour, such as seed yield, dormancy and germination.
Living in Norfolk
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Postdoctoral Researcher
Salary: £36,720 to £44,500 per annum depending on qualifications and experience.
Contract: 24 months, full time.
Location: John Innes Centre, Norwich, UK.
Closing date: 7 October 2024
Reference: 1004769
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Postdoctoral Researcher to join the Penfield Group at the John Innes Centre, working on cutting-edge science in the field of Crop Genetics.
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 Penfield Group:
The Penfield Group works to understand the effects of seasonal changes in temperature on plant reproductive development. We work with the model species Arabidopsis and Arable crops to understand how weather and climate variation affect reproductive development crop yield and quality. We have a particular focus on the role of parent plants in environmental sensing and influence progeny seed development and behaviour, such as seed yield, dormancy and germination.
The role:
An opportunity has arisen for a postdoctoral researcher to work towards gene editing in sugar beet. The post will work closely with a strong team of external collaborators and this role will provide the opportunity to develop skills and gain experience working in public private partnerships. The candidate will also develop skills in project management, tissue culture, molecular biology and crop transformation.
The ideal candidate:
You will have a PhD in Plant Science or equivalent. The post holder will have good knowledge of plant gene editing techniques and will have some demonstrable experience in gene editing, crop transformation and molecular biology. The ideal candidate would be capable of working independently but enjoy operating as part of a collaborating team to reach project goals. Informal enquiries are welcome and should be addressed to Professor Steven Penfield.
Additional information:
Interviews will be held on 17 October 2024.
We welcome applications from candidates seeking job-share, part-time or other flexible working arrangements.
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.