Main Purpose of the Job

We seek a Postdoctoral Researcher to lead mechanistic and multi-omics studies of obligate symbiosis, building directly on our recent work.

Working as part of a team led by Dr Hassan Salem, and in collaboration across the Department of Molecular Microbiology, and the research groups of Dr Aileen Berasategui (The Sainsbury Laboratory) and Dr Tatsuya Nobori (The Sainsbury Laboratory) you will investigate the developmental basis of symbiosis in beetles.

Key Relationships

Working as part of a team led by Dr Hassan Salem, and in collaboration across the Department of Molecular Microbiology, and the research groups of Dr. Aileen Berasategui (The Sainsbury Laboratory) and Dr. Tatsuya Nobori (The Sainsbury Laboratory) you will investigate the developmental basis of symbiosis in beetles.

Main Activities & Responsibilities

Designing and conducting symbiont- and host-focused transcriptomic and genomic analyses, including tissue- and cell-type–specific approaches targeting symbiotic organs.

Applying functional genetic tools to manipulate symbiont or host pathways (e.g., RNAi, heterologous expression).

Reconstructing and testing symbiont-encoded metabolic pathways, linking gene content and expression to host physiology and performance.

Using confocal microscopy, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), and immunostaining to localize symbionts, host tissues, and gene expression patterns.

Integrating evolutionary, ecological, and functional data to understand how symbiosis shapes host diet breadth, adaptation, and diversification.

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.

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.

Continually strive for excellence, seeking out and acting on feedback and relevant learning and development opportunities.

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

Education & Qualifications

Requirement

Importance

PhD (full award or expected within 6 months) or equivalent in Genomics, Developmental Biology, Evolutionary Biology, or related discipline.

Essential

BSc or equivalent in evolutionary genomics, molecular biology, microbiology, entomology, chemical ecology, or a related discipline.

Essential

Specialist Knowledge & Skills

Requirement

Importance

RNA-seq, comparative genomics, or pathway-level analyses, ideally in host–microbe systems.

Essential

Familiarity with confocal microscopy, FISH, and/or interest in spatial gene expression methods.

Essential

Relevant Experience

Requirement

Importance

Strong computational skills for biological data analysis (preferably R and/or Python).

Essential

Experience with or strong interest in functional genetic manipulation of insects (e.g., RNAi, CRISPR).

Essential

Preparing data / information for grant proposals.

Desirable

Demonstrated ability to develop independent, hypothesis-driven research at the interface of evolution and mechanism.

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

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

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

About the Salem Group

The Salem Group studies the evolution, function, and adaptive consequences of herbivore–microbe symbioses. Our research focuses on how extracellular bacterial symbionts upgrade host digestive physiology, enable dietary specialization, thereby facilitating herbivory.

By integrating comparative and population genomics, symbiont transcriptomics, functional genetics, microscopy, and biochemical assays, we investigate how streamlined symbiont genomes maintain host-beneficial functions, how symbiont gene expression dynamically matches host nutritional demands, and how digestive symbioses originate and persist over deep evolutionary time. Our work aims to uncover general principles governing the emergence, maintenance, and evolutionary impact of obligate mutualisms.

We seek a postdoctoral researcher to lead mechanistic and multi-omics studies of obligate symbiosis, building directly on our recent work.
 

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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: 25 March 2026
Reference:      1006056

An opportunity has arisen for a Postdoctoral Researcher to join the newly appointed group of Dr Hassan Salem at the John Innes Centre in the Department of Molecular Microbiology. 

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 Salem Group:

The Salem Group studies the evolution, function, and adaptive consequences of herbivore–microbe symbioses. Our research focuses on how extracellular bacterial symbionts upgrade host digestive physiology, enable dietary specialization, thereby facilitating herbivory.

By integrating comparative and population genomics, symbiont transcriptomics, functional genetics, microscopy, and biochemical assays, we investigate how streamlined symbiont genomes maintain host-beneficial functions, how symbiont gene expression dynamically matches host nutritional demands, and how digestive symbioses originate and persist over deep evolutionary time. Our work aims to uncover general principles governing the emergence, maintenance, and evolutionary impact of obligate mutualisms.

The Role:

Working as part of a team led by Dr Hassan Salem, and in collaboration across the Department of Molecular Microbiology, and the research groups of Dr. Aileen Berasategui (The Sainsbury Laboratory) and Dr. Tatsuya Nobori (The Sainsbury Laboratory) you will investigate the developmental basis of symbiosis in beetles. The post holder will:

• Designing and conducting symbiont- and host-focused transcriptomic and genomic analyses, including tissue- and cell-type–specific approaches targeting symbiotic organs.
• Applying functional genetic tools to manipulate symbiont or host pathways (e.g., RNAi, heterologous expression).
• Reconstructing and testing symbiont-encoded metabolic pathways, linking gene content and expression to host physiology and performance.
• Using confocal microscopy, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), and immunostaining to localize symbionts, host tissues, and gene expression patterns.
• Integrating evolutionary, ecological, and functional data to understand how symbiosis shapes host diet breadth, adaptation, and diversification.
• Disseminating results through high-impact publications, conference presentations, and mentoring of students.

The ideal Candidate:

You will have a PhD (or equivalent) in evolutionary genomics, molecular biology, microbiology, entomology, chemical ecology, or a related discipline.

The successful candidate will have:
• Experience with RNA-seq, comparative genomics, or pathway-level analyses, ideally in host–microbe systems.
• Experience with or strong interest in functional genetic manipulation of insects (e.g., RNAi, CRISPR).
• Familiarity with confocal microscopy, FISH, and/or interest in spatial gene expression methods.
• Strong computational skills for biological data analysis (preferably R and/or Python).
• Demonstrated ability to develop independent, hypothesis-driven research at the interface of evolution and mechanism.
• You will also have excellent communication skills, experience mentoring students or visitors, and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively in an interdisciplinary research environment.

Additional information:

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.