Main Purpose of the Job

The postholder will assist with the day to day growth and care of many wheat lines for phenotyping and sample generation. The postholder will collect phenotypic data of cold treated lines in collaboration with the postdoc on the project.

Research Assistants enhance the output of a research group by providing technical and administrative support to the Group Leader and group members.

Key Relationships

Internal: The postholder will work closely with the John Innes cold tolerance project team Amy Newell and Emilie Knight and will be line managed by Simon Griffiths. They will maintain good relationships with all group members and interact with as necessary, other researchers, research support staff and students across the Institute.
External: The postholder will work closely with academic collaborators in the USA and Germany and UK industrial collaborators.

Main Activities & Responsibilities

Percentage

Plan, perform and trouble-shoot plant growth experiments as and when necessary under the supervision of the Project Leader

75

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

5

Undertake routine administrative tasks, such as maintenance of laboratory supplies and stocks

5

Enhance the output of a research group by executing and refining existing experimental protocols and/or administrative procedures

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

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

5

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

Education & Qualifications

Requirement

Importance

BSc or equivalent in Biology

Desirable

Specialist Knowledge & Skills

Requirement

Importance

Experience in the care or growth of plants in a research setting

Essential

Molecular biology experience

Desirable

Relevant Experience

Requirement

Importance

Experience in scientific data collection/ analysis

Essential

Demonstrated ability to perform research

Desirable

Experience working with crop plants

Desirable

Experience of oral research presentations

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

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

Crop Genetics

The Department of Crop Genetics undertakes fundamental research on the biology of cereals, brassicas and legumes to understand the genetic and molecular basis of phenotypic variation. A major goal is to develop the technologies and knowledge base to provide a predictive framework that will underpin conventional and novel plant breeding strategies. This will enable high-yielding, stress and disease resistant varieties, with a particular end-use quality, suitable for an efficient but benign agriculture.

Group Details

The postholder will provide technical support in the growth and phenotyping of modern and landrace bread wheat lines under cold stress. This is part of an international collaborative project seeking to understand the molecular pathways behind cold tolerance in wheat. They will work closely with the lab, horticulture and external academic and industrial collaborator teams.

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Research Assistant

Salary:            £28,890 - £35,670 per annum depending on qualifications and experience
Contract:        12 months, fulltime
Location:        John Innes Centre, Norwich, UK
Closing date: 2 June 2026
Reference:     1006110

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Research Assistant to join the Crop Genetics Department at the John Innes Centre, working on cutting-edge science in the field of Crop Genetics.

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.

The role:

The postholder will grow and care for a large number of wheat lines and conduct experiments testing the plants for cold tolerance.

Other tasks will include plant phenotyping and sample generation in collaboration with the postdoc on the project.

In this role, you will have the opportunity to develop your skills in plant growth and care, plant phenotyping and molecular biology techniques. You will also gain experience in the design and execution of controlled environment and field experiments, and hands on scientific experience of wheat genetics and genomics. You will also have opportunities to work on your scientific presentation skills at lab meetings and conferences. You will support world leading scientists who are experts in their field.

The ideal candidate:

Candidates should have experience in the care and growth of plants in a research setting. Experience in scientific data collection and analysis is essential for this role. You will have good communication and timekeeping skills and the ability to work independently.

It would be desirable to have a BSc in Biology, although this is not essential, and experience working with wheat or another crop plant would be beneficial, but again not essential.

Additional information:

Interviews will be held on 22 June 2026.

This role is not suitable for first-time Skilled Worker visa sponsorship. However, some individuals may be eligible for an alternative visa depending on their personal circumstances, you can read more about the visa options here. 

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.