Postdoctoral Researcher
Post Details
Job Title
Postdoctoral Researcher
Post Number
1004738
Closing Date
7 Nov 2024
Grade
SC6
Starting Salary
£36,720 - £44,500
Hours per week
37
Expected/Ideal Start Date
04 Dec 2024
Months Duration
36
Interview Date
19 Nov 2024

Job Description

Main Purpose of the Job

Applications are invited for a Postdoctoral Researcher to join the research team of Dr Chris Morgan at the John Innes Centre to carry out individual and collaborative research projects. The successful applicant will use a combination of advanced microscopy, molecular biology, genetics and genomics to study the mechanism meiotic recombination in Arabidopsis.

Investigating the spatiotemporal localisation and dynamic behaviour of the recombination machinery in Arabidopsis will be vital for understanding the mechanisms that govern the frequency and positioning of meiotic crossovers. The Postdoctoral Researcher will be responsible for addressing these questions using a combination of live-imaging, super-resolution microscopy, molecular biology, genomics and genetic dissection.

Key Relationships

The post-holder will be embedded within the Morgan group, working with team members, as well as other research groups as appropriate for the project and skills development. 

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
10
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
Continually strive for excellence, seeking out and acting on feedback and relevant learning and development opportunities
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
5
Liaise with industry and other external stakeholders

Person Profile

Education & Qualifications

Requirement
Importance
BSc or equivalent in Biology, Biochemistry of Chemistry
Essential
PhD (full award or expected within 6 months) or equivalent in Molecular Biology or related discipline
Essential

Specialist Knowledge & Skills

Requirement
Importance
Molecular cloning
Essential
Knowledge and understanding of meiotic recombination mechanisms
Essential
Advanced light microscopy
Essential
Quantitative image analysis
Essential
Generating and analysing genome sequencing datasets
Desirable
Plant cytogenetics
Desirable
Plant transformation
Desirable

Relevant Experience

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

Interpersonal & Communication Skills

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

Additional Requirements

Requirement
Importance
Attention to detail
Essential
Promotes equality and values diversity
Essential
Ability to maintain confidentiality and security of information where appropriate
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 undertake occasional travel (national and international) related to collaborations and/or seminars
Essential
Willingness to work outside standard working hours when required
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

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

Research in the Morgan group focuses on understanding the mechanism of meiotic recombination, including the enigmatic phenomena of crossover interference. We combine advanced super-resolution imaging with genetics, genomics and biochemistry to investigate meiotic recombination, using Arabidopsis and wheat as model eukaryotes. Additionally, we regularly collaborate with groups specialising in other disciplines (e.g. mathematical modellers) to more comprehensively answer complex biological questions. See, for example, Morgan et al. 2021, Nat Comms 12, 4674.
 

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: 7 November 2024
Reference:     1004738

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Postdoctoral Researcher to join the Morgan Group at the John Innes Centre, working on cutting-edge science in the field of Cell & Developmental Biology.

About the Morgan Group:

Research in the Morgan group focuses on understanding the mechanism of meiotic recombination, including the enigmatic phenomena of crossover interference. We combine advanced super-resolution imaging with genetics, genomics and biochemistry to investigate meiotic recombination, using Arabidopsis and wheat as model eukaryotes. Additionally, we regularly collaborate with groups specialising in other disciplines (e.g. mathematical modellers) to more comprehensively answer complex biological questions. See, for example, Morgan et al. 2021, Nat Comms 12, 4674.

The role:

The successful applicant will use a combination of advanced microscopy, molecular biology, genomics and genetics to study the mechanism of meiotic recombination in Arabidopsis.

Investigating the spatiotemporal localisation and dynamic behaviour of the recombination machinery in Arabidopsis will be vital for understanding the mechanisms that govern the frequency and positioning of meiotic crossovers. The Postdoctoral Researcher will be responsible for addressing these questions using a combination of live-imaging, super-resolution microscopy, molecular biology, genomics and genetic dissection.

The ideal candidate:

The successful candidate will have a PhD in molecular biology or a related discipline and a proven ability to use advanced microscopy to study aspects of chromosome or cell biology.

Experience working in plant systems or studying meiosis is desirable, but not essential. The candidate should have a strong interest in understanding the molecular mechanism of meiotic recombination.

Candidates should have experience of advanced fluorescence microscopy, quantitative image analysis, genome sequencing, molecular cloning and transformation and an understanding of the biochemical process of DNA recombination.

The candidate will be trained in diverse transferrable scientific and personal skills. Scientific skills include high-resolution fluorescence microscopy, cell biology and plant genetics. Personal skills include project planning, time management and presentation skills.

Additional information:

This role meets the criteria for a visa application, and we encourage all qualified candidates to apply. Visa fee’s may be offered as part of the relocation package for this role. 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.