Postdoctoral Researcher
Post Details
Job Title
Postdoctoral Researcher
Post Number
1004952
Closing Date
8 Oct 2025
Grade
SC6
Starting Salary
Salary: £37,500 - £45,350
Hours per week
37
Project Title
The mechanistic basis of epigenetic switching
Expected/Ideal Start Date
03 Nov 2025
Months Duration
36
Interview Date
15 Oct 2025

Job Description

Main Purpose of the Job

The Postdoctoral Researcher will work on the mechanistic basis of how cis-determinants through DNA sequence polymorphism and local chromatin changes influence co-transcriptional regulation and epigenetic switches. They will exploit the well-characterized Arabidopsis FLC system and dissect how different mutations have independently evolved to change the rates of FLC silencing over winter.

Key Relationships

Internal: Caroline Dean & Yiliang Ding - Line managers, Ding/Dean 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 - working closely with other members of the Ding-Dean supergroup.
80
Prepare results, reports and manuscripts for publication in leading scientific journals and other relevant media
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
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 Molecular biology or related discipline
Essential
BSc or equivalent in molecular biology
Essential

Specialist Knowledge & Skills

Requirement
Importance
Arabidopsis genetics
Essential
Arabidopsis transgenic plant generation and analysis
Essential
Epigenetic analysis
Essential

Relevant Experience

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

Interpersonal & Communication Skills

Requirement
Importance
Excellent communication skills, both written and oral, including the ability to present complex information with clarity
Essential
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 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
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
Attention to detail
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 groups of Yiliang Ding and Caroline Dean have merged. The individual will work in this joint group.

Living in Norfolk

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Postdoctoral Researcher
Salary:            £37,500 - £45,350 per annum depending on qualifications and experience.
Contract:        3 years, full-time
Location:       John Innes Centre, Norwich, UK.
Closing date: 8 October 2025
Reference:     1004952

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Postdoctoral Researcher to join the Ding-Dean Group at the John Innes Centre, working on cutting-edge science in the field of Arabidopsis molecular 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.

The role:

The Postdoctoral Researcher will work on the mechanistic basis of how cis-determinants through DNA sequence polymorphism and local chromatin changes influence co-transcriptional regulation and epigenetic switches. They will exploit the well-characterized Arabidopsis FLC system and dissect how different mutations have independently evolved to change the rates of FLC silencing over winter. This project will develop skills in RNA structure analysis in vivo, co-transcriptional and epigenetic regulation and effective project management

The ideal candidate:

Candidates should have a PhD in molecular biology or a related discipline with previous experience working with Arabidopsis molecular genetics. Good communication and organisation skills are required, together with the ability to work independently, yet as an interactive colleague within a larger team. 

Additional information:

For further information and details of how to apply, please visit our website http://jobs.jic.ac.uk or contact the Human Resources team on 01603 450814 or nbi.recruitment@nbi.ac.uk quoting reference 1004952. 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.

Interviews will be held on 15 October 2025.

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.