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

The successful candidate will work closely with Dr Hassan Salem and in collaboration with Dr Aileen Berasategui (TSL) to dissect how genomic architecture, gene regulation, and microbial interactions shape lifestyle transitions in Fusarium.
 

Main Activities & Responsibilities

Percentage

Comparative and Evolutionary Genomics:
• Assisting in assembly, curation, and annotation of long- and short-read fungal genomes.
• Conducting comparative genomic analyses across symbiotic and free-living Fusarium strains.
• Identifying genomic signatures associated with transitions from free-living to symbiotic states.
• Analysing functional categories including CAZymes, biosynthetic gene clusters, effectors, and transposable elements.

20

Genome Architecture & Structural Variation:
• Supporting synteny and structural rearrangement analyses.
• Contributing to Hi-C based analyses of 3D genome organization and chromatin architecture.
• Investigating compartmentalization patterns associated with lifestyle shifts.

20

Transcriptomics & Functional Analysis:
• Processing and analysing RNA-seq datasets from symbiotic and phytopathogenic states.
• Performing differential gene expression analyses and functional enrichment testing.
• Linking gene expression patterns to fungal lifestyle plasticity.

20

Microbiome Profiling:
• Assisting with fungal isolation and bacterial community profiling via 16S rRNA metabarcoding.
• Supporting FISH and confocal microscopy to localize bacterial associates.
• Integrating microbiome and transcriptomic data to explore bacterial-fungal interactions.

20

Data Integration & Dissemination:
• Integrating genomic, transcriptomic, and microbiome datasets.
• Contributing to manuscript preparation and conference presentations.
• Supporting supervision of undergraduate or MSc students where appropriate.

20

Additional responsibilities will include:
• Comparative and Evolutionary Genomics
• Assisting in assembly, curation, and annotation of long- and short-read fungal genomes.
• Conducting comparative genomic analyses across symbiotic and free-living Fusarium strains.
• Identifying genomic signatures associated with transitions from free-living to symbiotic states.
• Analysing functional categories including CAZymes, biosynthetic gene clusters, effectors, and transposable elements.
• Genome Architecture & Structural Variation.
• Supporting synteny and structural rearrangement analyses.
• Contributing to Hi-C based analyses of 3D genome organization and chromatin architecture.
• Investigating compartmentalization patterns associated with lifestyle shifts.
• Transcriptomics & Functional Analysis.
• Processing and analysing RNA-seq datasets from symbiotic and phytopathogenic states.
• Performing differential gene expression analyses and functional enrichment testing.
• Linking gene expression patterns to fungal lifestyle plasticity.
• Microbiome Profiling.

Further additional responsibilities include:
• Assisting with fungal isolation and bacterial community profiling via 16S rRNA metabarcoding.
• Supporting FISH and confocal microscopy to localize bacterial associates.
• Integrating microbiome and transcriptomic data to explore bacterial-fungal interactions.
• Data Integration & Dissemination.
• Integrating genomic, transcriptomic, and microbiome datasets.
• Contributing to manuscript preparation and conference presentations.
• Supporting supervision of undergraduate or MSc students where appropriate.

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

Education & Qualifications

Requirement

Importance

MSc or equivalent in Biology or related field

Essential

Experience with next-generation sequencing data (RNA-seq and/or genome sequencing)

Essential

Specialist Knowledge & Skills

Requirement

Importance

Mycology

Essential

Relevant Experience

Requirement

Importance

Strong computational skills (preferably R and/or Python)

Essential

Experience working in a molecular biology or microbiology laboratory

Desirable

Ability to manage and analyse large biological datasets

Desirable

Excellent written and verbal communication skills

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

Ability to maintain confidentiality and security of information where appropriate

Essential

Willingness to embrace the expected values and behaviours of all staff at the Institute, ensuring it is a great place to work

Essential

Ability to undertake occasional travel (national and international) related to collaborations and/or seminars

Essential

Willingness to work outside standard working hours when required

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

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

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 and fungal symbionts upgrade host digestive and defensive 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 Research Assistant to lead mechanistic and multi-omics studies of obligate symbiosis, building directly on our recent work.
 

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Research Assistant

Salary:            £28,890 - £29,000 per annum depending on qualifications and experience
Contract:        16 months, full-time
Location:        John Innes Centre, Norwich, UK
Closing date:  23rd March 2026
Reference:     1006077

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Research Assistant to join the Salem Group at the John Innes Centre, working on cutting-edge science in the field 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 and fungal symbionts upgrade host digestive and defensive 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 Hassan Salem you will join a collaborative, international research environment to support and expand ongoing work integrating comparative genomics, transcriptomics, genome architecture, and microbiome profiling.

This Research Assistantship will contribute to an interdisciplinary project investigating the genomic signatures and evolutionary consequences of symbiosis in beetle-associated fungi, with a particular focus on Fusarium species that transition between defensive symbionts and phytopathogens.

The project builds on recent discoveries in the symbiosis between the tortoise leaf beetle Chelymorpha alternans and its fungal partner Fusarium oxysporum, where the fungus protects beetle pupae from predation while retaining pathogenic potential on the shared host plant Ipomoea batatas. Parallel comparisons with ambrosia beetle–associated Fusarium solani will enable investigation of independent transitions to nutritional symbiosis (fungiculture).

The successful candidate will work closely with Dr Hassan Salem and in collaboration with Dr Aileen Berasategui (TSL) to dissect how genomic architecture, gene regulation, and microbial interactions shape lifestyle transitions in Fusarium.

You will join a collaborative, international research environment to support and expand ongoing work integrating comparative genomics, transcriptomics, genome architecture, and microbiome profiling.

The ideal candidate:

We welcome applicants with a background in evolutionary genomics, microbiology, molecular biology, bioinformatics, mycology, entomology, or a related field.

Essential criteria:
• MSc in a relevant discipline.
• Experience with next-generation sequencing data (RNA-seq and/or genome sequencing).
• Strong computational skills (preferably R and/or Python).
• Experience working in a molecular biology or microbiology laboratory.
• Ability to manage and analyse large biological datasets.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in an interdisciplinary team.

This Research Assistantship offers an outstanding opportunity for candidates seeking to develop expertise in evolutionary genomics and host–microbe interactions, and provides strong preparation for future doctoral research.

Additional information:

Please note, this post does not meet UKVI requirements to provide visa sponsorship.

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.