Main Purpose of the Job

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Postdoctoral Researcher to join the Le Group at the John Innes Centre, working on understanding plasmid-mediated horizontal transfer of genetic information.

The practical end point of our research, besides pure academic interests, is to identify new targets for anti-bacterial therapies and to possibly prevent/reduce plasmid-borne/phage-mediated antibiotic resistance.

Key Relationships

The post holder will take responsibility for the day-to-day management of the project, including planning, execution, trouble-shooting, analysis and interpretation of experiments. They will be advised by the line manager Dr. Tung Le through regular one-to-one meetings.

There are potential collaborations internally to the JIC and internationally, the post holder will be expected to take an active role in interactions with the collaborators. Furthermore, the post-holder will be expected to participate in training new graduate students.

Main Activities & Responsibilities

Percentage

Carry out experiments, collate and analyse results, plan further experiments

65

Prepare and submit papers; prepare and present talks for internal, national and international audiences

10

Undertake training in specific skills required for the project, and in broader transferable skills

5

Participation in training new graduate/MSc/visiting students

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

Collaborate with colleagues within the Institute in the development of original and world-class research, including contributing to research proposals and grant applications

5

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

5

Education & Qualifications

Requirement

Importance

PhD or equivalent experience in microbiology or cell biology

Essential

Specialist Knowledge & Skills

Requirement

Importance

Good understanding of chromosome/plasmid biology/bacterial cell surface and bacterial cell division

Essential

Expertise in microbiological/biological techniques

Essential

Proven ability to carry out innovative research with important, publishable outcomes

Essential

Good basic mathematical, statistical, bioinformatic and computing skills, and a proven ability to grasp and apply new skills and concepts

Essential

Relevant Experience

Requirement

Importance

Practical experience with gene knockout and plasmid constructions

Essential

Practical experience with Pseudomonas genetics

Essential

Evidence of intellectual independence, rigor and creativity

Essential

Relevant first-author publication in a peer-reviewed journal

Essential

Experience in epifluorescence microscopy techniques

Essential

Practical experience with protein purification and protein biophysical analysis techniques

Essential

Experience/expertise with protein degradation

Essential

Experience of oral presentation to external academic audiences

Essential

Practical experience with X-ray crystallography

Desirable

Interpersonal & Communication Skills

Requirement

Importance

Able to communicate effectively in both written and verbal form

Essential

Demonstrated ability to work independently, using initiative and applying problem solving skills

Essential

Good presentational skills

Essential

Excellent time management and organisational skills

Essential

Promotes and strives for continuous improvement

Essential

Good interpersonal skills, with the ability to work as part of a team

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

Overseas travel, for visits of a few days to lab of collaborators and to conferences

Desirable

Willingness to work outside standard working hours when required

Desirable

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

Precise regulation of gene expression is fundamental to life, ensuring that essential gene products are produced at the right time and in the right amounts. Our recent research discovered a new and unique mechanism of gene regulation in bacteria: a clamp sliding-and-locking mechanism (McLean et al., Nature Microbiology, 2025). This mechanism tightly regulates the production of proteins for the maintenance of a multi-drug resistance (MDR) plasmid RK2 within bacterial hosts and their horizontal transfer to neighboring cells.

We discovered that a transcriptional regulator, KorB, functions as a CTP-dependent DNA-sliding clamp capable of traveling over long genomic distances (>1kb). Sliding KorB is captured and locked in place by KorA, a partner protein, forming a stable complex at target promoters, thereby repressing transcription. Both KorAB are essential for plasmid survival; without them, the plasmid fails to propagate, and the host bacterium ultimately dies due to untimely, uncontrolled overproduction of plasmidic proteins that are toxic in high quantity.

 Remaining challenges are to determine which (and mechanistically how) several biological innovations in KorB and its partner proteins enabling this fascinating sliding-and-locking mechanism. Specifically, (i) how an unusually large DNA-storing lumen of KorB, not seen in other chromosomal homologs, allows KorB to slide on DNA (while entrapping DNA) and to cooperate with DNA-bound partner KorA, (ii) how KorB expanded its repertoire of partners beyond KorA to cooperate with a distinct DNA-binding protein, TrbA, to regulate other aspect of plasmid biology i.e. pilus formation, and (iii) to investigate whether similar mechanisms operate in other plasmid systems to broaden our understanding of gene regulation in bacteria.

The candidate will join a diverse group of students, postdoctoral researchers, and scientists and will work closely with the Structural Bio

Living in Norfolk

• Visit Norfolk
• Schools in Norfolk
• Childcare in Norfolk

Postdoctoral Researcher
Salary:            £37,500 - £45,350 per annum depending on qualifications and experience
Contract:        36 months, fulltime
Location:        John Innes Centre, Norwich, UK
Closing date:  8 May 2026
Reference:     1006103

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Postdoctoral Researcher to join the Le 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 Le Group:

Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) is a fundamental process for exchanging genetic information among bacteria. Horizontal gene transfer contributes to drive the evolution of bacterial genomes and is one of primary means for a rapid spread of antibiotic resistance and pathogenicity.

Our lab is particularly interested in horizontal gene transfer by plasmids and phage-like element. Environmental studies have showed that plasmids/phages transfer antibiotic resistance genes at extremely high frequency, which could have a major impact on antibiotic resistance gene reservoirs, hence research on this subject is of clinical and economic importance. Our lab is well-placed to answer the following important questions:

1. What is the impact of plasmids/phages on horizontal gene transfer and the evolution of bacterial genomes?
2. What are the roles of ParB-like proteins and CTPases in plasmid/phage-mediated DNA transfer/plasmid maintenance?

The role:

The practical end point of the research is to identify new targets for anti-bacterial therapies and to possibly prevent/reduce plasmid/phage-mediated antibiotic resistance.

In this role, you will also have the opportunity to:
• Shape your own project/ideas
• Engage in manuscript and proposal writing
• Use next-generation sequencing techniques (ChIP-seq, RNA-seq) and data analysis
• Use super-resolution microscopes available at the Bioimaging platform.

You will join a diverse group of students, postdoctoral researchers, and scientists and work closely with the John Innes Centre X-ray crystallography platform.

The ideal candidate:

The ideal candidate will have a PhD or equivalent experience in microbiology, particularly Pseudomonas genetics or cell biology/protein biochemistry and they will have expertise in microbiological/biological techniques and a proven ability to carry out innovative research with important, publishable outcomes. The post holder will have practical experience with gene knockout, plasmid constructions, epifluorescence microscopy and image analysis.

Good mathematical, statistical, bioinformatic and computing skills are essential, as well as a proven ability to grasp and apply new skills and concepts. They will also be able to demonstrate intellectual independence, rigor, and creativity. Practical experience in protein purification, enzymology is essential. Experience in X-ray crystallography would be advantageous but not essential.

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.