Main Purpose of the Job

The main purpose of this job is the generation and maintenance of lines of Synechococcus elongatus transformed to harbor luciferase reporters for several genes of interest, to study entrainment in cyanobacteria to different photoperiods with Drs. Pirita Paajanen and Luísa Jabbur.

Key Relationships

Internal: Line manager, group members and, as necessary, other researchers, research support staff and students across the Institute. External: Collaborators

Main Activities & Responsibilities

Percentage

Generation and maintenance of lines of Synechococcus elongatus transformed to harbor luciferase reporters for several genes of interest.

50

Ensuring proper book-keeping of both research performed and strains generated. 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

30

Contributing to the writing of research proposals and manuscripts, including providing data.

10

Work in an effective and collaborative manner with others at JIC conducting related and other projects, and with project collaborators. Continually strive for excellence, seeking out and acting on feedback and relevant learning and development opportunities

10

As agreed with the line manager, any other duties commensurate with the nature of the post

Education & Qualifications

Requirement

Importance

BSc or equivalent in Biology, Microbiology or related fields

Essential

Specialist Knowledge & Skills

Requirement

Importance

Familiarity with microbiological techniques, particularly transformation and cloning

Essential

Experience in working with bacteria

Desirable

Relevant Experience

Requirement

Importance

Demonstrated ability to perform research

Essential

Experience in keeping lab books and lab stock

Desirable

Preparing data / information for grant proposals

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

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

Attention to detail

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

Molecular Microbiology

Our holistic approach integrates cellular physiology, molecular genetics (including functional genomics), biochemistry and structural biology. In the Department of Molecular Microbiology we study bacterial metabolism, physiology, gene regulation and development, and plant-bacterial interactions. Major themes of our work on Gram-negative bacteria are the molecular basis of signal transduction in response to various environmental signals and studies on the biology of ammonia channel proteins which are conserved in all domains of life.

The Department's comprehensive Streptomyces programme, studying antibiotic production, morphological differentiation and stress responses, is underpinned by the newly-acquired genome sequence of the model species S. coelicolor, and cutting-edge techniques in functional genomics. Another major research area is the Rhizobium-legume symbiosis where our studies range from bacterial quorum-sensing and plant-bacterial signalling interactions to the developmental responses of plants to their microbial symbionts.

The Department capitalises on the John Innes Centre's emerging strengths in functional genomics, structural biology and advanced cytological techniques, as well as exploiting novel links between research on bacterial and plant processes.

Group Details

This project is a collaboration between Dr. Pirita Paajanen, in Computational and Systems Biology, and Dr. Luísa Jabbur, in Molecular Microbiology. Dr. Paajanen focuses, among other things, on how circadian clocks integrate cyclic environmental cues such as light/temperature cycles to keep in sync with their environment, while Dr. Jabbur is interested in how cyanobacteria use their circadian clocks and the environmental light/dark cycles to anticipate the seasons.

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Research Assistant
Salary:            £28,890 per annum.
Contract:        6 months, full-time
Location:        John Innes Centre, Norwich, UK.
Closing date: 6 October 2025
Reference:     1004960

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Research Assistant join the Molecular Microbiology Group at the John Innes Centre, working on cutting-edge science related to entrainment and adaptation to light and dark cycles.  

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 Group:

This project is a collaboration between Dr. Pirita Paajanen, in Computational and Systems Biology, and Dr. Luísa Jabbur, in Molecular Microbiology. Dr. Paajanen focuses, among other things, on how circadian clocks integrate cyclic environmental cues such as light/temperature cycles to keep in sync with their environment, while Dr. Jabbur is interested in how cyanobacteria use their circadian clocks and the environmental light/dark cycles to anticipate the seasons.

The role:

The Research Assistant will work on a project to leverage recent RNAseq data and create a library of transformed cyanobacteria with luciferase tags on several genes of interest. They will develop skills on bacterial transformation and on the quantification of gene expression through luciferase markers.

The ideal candidate:

Candidates should have a BSc in Biological Sciences, Microbiology or related disciplines. Previous experience working with bacteria is desired, but not essential. Good communication and organisation skills are required, as this position will require meticulous book-keeping of generated strains.

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 1004960.  

Interviews are scheduled to take place on 14 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.