- 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
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.