- Job Title
- Senior Research Assistant
- Post Number
- 1006054
- Closing Date
- 12 Mar 2026
- Grade
- SC6
- Starting Salary
- Salary: £36,540 - £45,350
- Hours per week
- 37
- Project Title
- Developmental genetics of internal leaf structure
- Months Duration
- 72
- Flexible Options
- Although full-time hours are available, applications from those interested in working part-time hours are also welcomed.
Job Description
Main Purpose of the Job
The postholder will be a central part of the Whitewoods lab, performing long-term experiments, organising lab databases and training other lab members in key techniques. They will perform forward mutant screens, analyse phenotypes with confocal microscopy and use molecular biology techniques to identify causative genes underlying a range of phenotypes in internal leaf structure.
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
- Enhance the output of a research group by executing and refining existing experimental protocols and/or administrative procedures, assisting colleagues with trouble-shooting as necessary
- Run key items of equipment providing services and/or techniques, taking responsibility for purchases, maintenance and repairs
- Undertake routine administrative tasks, such as maintenance of laboratory supplies and stocks
- Mentor/supervise less experienced researchers, encouraging scientific excellence and provide guidance and training on specialised items of equipment
- Plan, perform, trouble-shoot and analyse experiments as and when necessary, providing preliminary data
- Design and supervise small research projects for students
- 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
- Assist in the preparation of research proposals and manuscripts, collaborating internally and externally as appropriate
- 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
- Disseminate research findings and establish reputation through participation in national conferences and exhibitions
- Support the profile and reputation of the Institute by participating in relevant engagement activities (eg, school visits or open days)
- Continually strive for excellence, seeking out and acting on feedback and relevant learning and development opportunities
- 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
- BSc or equivalent in Biology
- Essential
- PhD or equivalent in Developmental Biology
- Desirable
Specialist Knowledge & Skills
- Requirement
- Importance
- Expertise in plant genetics
- Essential
- Confocal microscopy
- Essential
- Vibratome sectioning
- Essential
Relevant Experience
- Requirement
- Importance
- Experience of oral research presentations
- Essential
- Demonstrated ability to perform research
- Essential
- Experience in plant genetics, molecular biology, confocal microscopy
- Essential
- Scientific techniques, specialisms, technical knowledge etc
- Essential
- Preparing data / information for grant proposals
- Desirable
- Supervision of students and visiting workers
- Desirable
- Proven record in scientific writing
- Desirable
- Provided technical training
- 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
- Attention to detail
- 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
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
The Whitewoods lab investigates how plants pattern their internal leaf structure, primarily using Arabidopsis thaliana as a model system. They investigate how leaves form air spaces between cells, how photosynthetic cells acquire their identities, and how changes in light level modify these developmental processes to tune leaf structure to the environment.
Living in Norfolk
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Senior Research Assistant
Salary: £36,540 - £45,350 per annum depending on qualifications and experience
Contract: 72 months, full time
Location: John Innes Centre, Norwich, UK
Closing date: 12th March 2026
Reference: 1006054
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Senior Research Assistant to join the newly formed Whitewoods Group at the John Innes Centre, working on cutting-edge science in the field of Cell and Developmental Biology.
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 Whitewoods Group:
The Whitewoods lab investigates how plants pattern their internal leaf structure, primarily using Arabidopsis thaliana as a model system. They investigate how leaves form air spaces between cells, how photosynthetic cells acquire their identities, and how changes in light level modify these developmental processes to tune leaf structure to the environment.
The Whitewoods group is looking for someone with a strong sense of scientific curiosity and fun who is enthusiastic to contribute to a young lab as it grows.
The role:
In this role you will be responsible for the day-to-day operational effectiveness of the group's research, as well as designing and performing experiments and analysing data. A key part of this role is performing mutant screens and organising mutant populations to identify and catalogue novel mutants. It therefore requires excellent attention to detail.
The ideal candidate:
Candidates must have a background in plant science, a PhD degree in developmental biology or related fields would be highly advantageous. Expertise in care and management or Arabidopsis thaliana is necessary, as is experience with performing EMS mutagenesis and organising a forward genetic screen. Experience with molecular biology, confocal microscopy and histology are also preferred, alongside a willingness and ability to learn and work with new methodologies and different species.
The successful applicant will be a strong team player, highly solution orientated and self-motivated. Excellent interpersonal skills are essential, alongside the ability to work independently and with others, with a high degree of accuracy including outstanding record keeping. Experience supervising students, teaching others experimental techniques and organising lab databases is also strongly preferred.
Additional information:
This role meets the criteria for a visa application, and we encourage all qualified candidates to apply. 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.