Research Assistant
Post Details
Job Title
Research Assistant
Post Number
1004811
Closing Date
18 Dec 2024
Grade
SC7
Starting Salary
Salary: £28,550 - £35,500
Hours per week
37
Project Title
Metabolic regulation of the Bacillus subtilis circadian clock
Expected/Ideal Start Date
03 Feb 2025
Months Duration
18
Interview Date
16 Jan 2025

Job Description

Main Purpose of the Job

Research Assistants enhance the output of a research group by providing technical and administrative support to the Group Leader and group members.

Key Relationships

Internal: Line manager, key post-doc on this project, other group members working on related projects and, as necessary, other researchers, research support staff and students across the JIC. External: Project collaborators, particularly laboratory of Martha Merrow at LMU Munich and Akos Kovacs at Leiden University.

Main Activities & Responsibilities

Percentage
Conduct experimental investigation of Bacillus subtilis circadian clock and plant-microbe interactions, including bacterial culture, molecular cloning, and transformation, execution of routine bioluminescence imaging of circadian rhythms, maintenance of bacterial and Arabidopsis stocks
20
Plan, perform and trouble-shoot experiments as and when necessary under the supervision of the Group Leader and key project post-doc, working alongside other lab members.
20
Contribute to the writing of research proposals and manuscripts, including providing data, including seeking of advice from project partners and external collaborators during this process
15
Work in an effective and collaborative manner with others working on related projects, and international project collaborators
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
Support group members with the dissemination of the research findings and relevant engagement activities, such as scientific conferences
5
Continually strive for excellence, seeking out and acting on feedback and relevant learning and development opportunities
5
Contribute to the smooth running of the group, including through the effective use of resources, supervision of visitors to the laboratory and assisting with training others, encouraging scientific excellence
5
Undertake routine administrative tasks, such as maintenance of laboratory supplies and stocks
5
Some responsibility for the running, effectiveness, maintenance/repairs and training for key items of equipment
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

Person Profile

Education & Qualifications

Requirement
Importance
Experience of laboratory research using bacteria
Essential
BSc or equivalent in biological sciences or microbiology
Essential
Experience in chronobiology research
Desirable

Specialist Knowledge & Skills

Requirement
Importance
Molecular biology and microbiology experimental skills
Essential

Relevant Experience

Requirement
Importance
Demonstrated ability to perform research successfully
Essential
Experience of oral research presentations
Essential
Experience in molecular cloning, bioluminescence imaging,
Essential
Experience in preparing data for publications or grant applications
Desirable
Experience of training others
Desirable
Proven record in scientific writing
Desirable
Supervision of students and visiting workers
Desirable

Interpersonal & Communication Skills

Requirement
Importance
Excellent time management and organisational skills
Essential
Ability to prioritise to meet the demands of the group
Essential
Excellent communication skills, both written and oral, including the ability to present complex information with clarity
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
Good interpersonal skills, with the ability to work as part of an international collaborative team
Essential
Demonstrated ability to work independently, using initiative and applying problem solving skills
Essential

Additional Requirements

Requirement
Importance
Attention to detail
Essential
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 conferences
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

The Dodd Group focuses on how circadian rhythms adapt plants and microbes to their fluctuating environments. Circadian rhythms are biological cycles, with a period of about 24 hours, that are self-sustaining and are thought to provide a biological measure of time. The Dodd lab uses a variety of model systems for their research, including model plants, crop species, and non-photosynthetic bacteria. 

Living in Norfolk

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Research Assistant
Salary:                £28,550 - £35,500 per annum depending on qualifications and experience.
Contract:           18 months, full time
Location:           John Innes Centre, Norwich, UK.
Closing date:    18 December 2024
Reference:        1004811

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Research Assistant to join the Dodd Group at the John Innes Centre, conducting cutting-edge research into circadian rhythms in bacteria and plants.

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 Dodd Group:

The Dodd Group focuses on how circadian rhythms adapt plants and microbes to their fluctuating environments. Circadian rhythms are biological cycles, with a period of about 24 hours, that are self-sustaining and provide a biological measure of time. The Dodd lab uses a variety of model systems for their research, including model plants, crop species, and non-photosynthetic bacteria. 

The role:

An opportunity has arisen for a Research Assistant, with experience of microbiology, gene cloning and scientific imaging, to conduct research into circadian rhythms.

This will contribute to a BBSRC-funded project investigating circadian rhythms in the context of plant-microbe interactions, building on our recent discoveries of circadian clocks in non-photosynthetic bacteria. Project findings are expected to have wide-ranging implications for our understanding of the natural world, as well as developing solutions to a variety of challenges faced by humanity.

The Research Assistant will work alongside a post-doctoral researcher, others at the JIC working on this topic, and international collaborators in Germany and the Netherlands.  

The ideal candidate:

You will have a BSc or equivalent in biological sciences or microbiology. You will have in-depth knowledge of molecular biology and microbiology experimental skills.

The successful candidate will have experience or oral research presentations, and it is advantageous if the candidate has experience in preparing data for publications or grant applications.

Additional information:

Interviews will be held on 16 January 2025.

This role does not meet the full salary requirements set by UKVI to allow for visa sponsorship.  However, some individuals may still be eligible for visa sponsorship depending on their personal circumstances.  If you require visa sponsorship, please click here to find out if you qualify before applying. Please note, the occupation code for this role is 2162, which is not on the immigration salary list.

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.