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

Line managers (David Seung and Anne Osbourn) and group members (Postdoctoral Researchers, Research Assistants, postgraduate students and undergraduate students); collaborators at Earlham Institute and University of Manchester; and other researchers, research support staff and students across the Institutes.

Main Activities & Responsibilities

Percentage

Generate and maintain a large collection of transgenic potato lines in tissue culture

40

Coordinate the growth of potato lines in the glasshouse and characterise yield and quality traits

25

PCR and sequencing analysis to characterise transgene insertions

15

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

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

Undertake routine administrative tasks, such as maintenance of laboratory supplies and stocks

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

Education & Qualifications

Requirement

Importance

Ph.D. in Plant Science, or equivalent research experience

Essential

BSc or MSc in Biology/Biotechnology

Essential

Specialist Knowledge & Skills

Requirement

Importance

Extensive knowledge of plant tissue culture

Essential

Good knowledge of general plant biology

Essential

Relevant Experience

Requirement

Importance

Extensive experience in transformation and tissue culture of potato or other Solanaceae

Essential

Extensive experience in optimising and troubleshooting transformation

Essential

Experience in tracking and handling large numbers of transgenic plants

Essential

Demonstrated ability to perform research and develop novel ideas in plant biotechnology

Essential

Proven record in figure preparation and scientific writing

Essential

Preparing data / information for grant proposals

Essential

Experience in working as part of a research team

Essential

Supervision of students and visiting workers

Desirable

Interpersonal & Communication Skills

Requirement

Importance

Good interpersonal skills, with the ability to work as part of a team

Essential

Demonstrated ability to work independently, using initiative and applying problem solving skills

Essential

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

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 seminars

Essential

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

Biochemistry and Metabolism

Researchers within the Department of Biochemistry and Metabolism investigate the structure and function of biological macromolecules and fundamental aspects of plant and microbial metabolism. They aim to understand the mechanisms underpinning metabolic diversity and how to manipulate proteins, carbohydrates, small molecules and DNA, research which is facilitating advances of agricultural, environmental, medical and industrial importance.

Group Details

This post holder will be based in both David Seung and Anne Osbourn groups, which are in the Biochemistry and Metabolism department of the John Innes Centre.

David Seung’s group has expertise in the biology and biotechnology of starch crops. Anne Osbourn’s group has expertise in natural product chemistry and synthetic biology of plants. Our teams are multidisciplinary and maintain a vibrant and stimulating research atmosphere, consisting of postdoctoral scientists, postgraduate students, and research assistants. We regularly host projects for undergraduate students. We collaborate extensively with other research groups at JIC, as well those based at other institutes within the UK and abroad.
 

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Potato Biotechnologist
Salary:            £36,000 - £44,500 per annum depending on qualifications and experience.
Contract:        36 months, full time
Location:        John Innes Centre, Norwich, UK.
Closing date: 1 April 2025
Reference:     1004858

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Potato Biotechnologist to join the Seung and Osbourn Groups at the John Innes Centre, working on cutting-edge science in the Department of Biochemistry and Metabolism.

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 Groups:

This post holder will be based in both David Seung and Anne Osbourn groups, which are in the Biochemistry and Metabolism department of the John Innes Centre.

David Seung’s group has expertise in the biology and biotechnology of starch crops. Anne Osbourn’s group has expertise in natural product chemistry and synthetic biology of plants. Our teams are multidisciplinary and maintain a vibrant and stimulating research atmosphere, consisting of postdoctoral scientists, postgraduate students, and research assistants. We regularly host projects for undergraduate students. We collaborate extensively with other research groups at JIC, as well those based at other institutes within the UK and abroad.

The role:

We are looking for a dedicated Potato Biotechnologist to be based at the John Innes Centre, working as part of a large cross-institute, multidisciplinary project that aims to develop artificial chromosome technology and synthetic biology tools in potato.

The post holder will be based in both the Seung and Osbourn labs in the Biochemistry and Metabolism department. They will work closely with the Postdoctoral Scientists on the project and provide excellent support in the area of potato transformation and maintenance of transgenic lines in tissue culture. They will generate transgenic lines carrying synthetic gene clusters that are designed to enhance nutritional and yield traits in potato and participate in the characterisation of these traits. Optimisation of transformation approaches to deliver these goals is expected. As part of a larger goal to develop a synthetic biology toolkit in potato, the postholder will also generate and characterise a series of reporter lines to test the activity of different promoters, terminators, etc.

This job is part of an Advanced Research + Invention Agency-funded project, subject to contract negotiations.

The ideal candidate:

The successful applicant must have prior research experience in the transformation of potato (or other Solanaceae crops).  They must also have experience in tracking and handling large numbers of transgenic lines. Given the highly collaborative nature of this project, it is essential that the candidate values teamwork.

The applicant will have a BSc or equivalent in biology/biotechnology. They will also have a PhD that focuses on plant biotechnology, or equivalent research experience. They must have extensive knowledge in plant tissue culture and general plant biology.

Additional information:

Candidates are required to submit a covering letter along with their CV as part of their application.

This role meets the criteria for a visa application, and we encourage all qualified candidates to apply. Where the successful applicant requires a visa, we will fund the costs for their visa and the Immigration Health Surcharge. 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.