- Job Title
- Postdoctoral Researcher
- Post Number
- 1006119
- Closing Date
- 25 Jun 2026
- Grade
- SC6
- Starting Salary
- Salary: £37,500 - £45,350
- Hours per week
- 37
- Project Title
- Understanding mesophyll cell identity and function
- Months Duration
- 36
Job Description
Main Purpose of the Job
The Whitewoods lab has recently identified two classes of mutants lacking either palisade or spongy mesophyll cells. In this role you will identify the causative mutations and use a range of molecular and developmental approaches to identify the molecular mechanisms that control photosynthetic cell identity. You will also perform physiological analysis to understand how mesophyll cell identity underlies leaf function. There are many exciting avenues this project could take and it can be tailored to the interests of the successful candidate. 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.
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
- Identify, plan, carry out and modify experiments to meet the objectives of the project
- Prepare results, reports and manuscripts for publication in leading scientific journals and other relevant media
- Disseminate research findings through presentations to various audiences at internal, national and international meetings
- Collaborate with colleagues within the Institute in the development of original and world-class research, including contributing to research proposals and grant applications
- Liaise with industry and other external stakeholders
- 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 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
- PhD (full award or expected within 6 months) or equivalent in Plant Science or related discipline
- Essential
- BSc or equivalent in Biology or related area
- Essential
Specialist Knowledge & Skills
- Requirement
- Importance
- Plant genetics
- Essential
- Leaf physiology
- Desirable
- Leaf development
- Desirable
Relevant Experience
- Requirement
- Importance
- Demonstrated ability to perform research and develop novel ideas in area of leaf development and/or physiology
- Essential
- Proven record in scientific writing
- Essential
- Experience of oral research presentations
- Essential
- Scientifically curious
- Essential
- Experience of supervising, training and mentoring visitors and students
- 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
- 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
- Attention to detail
- 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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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: 25 June 2026
Reference: 1006119
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Postdoctoral Researcher to join the Whitewoods Group at the John Innes Centre, working on cutting-edge science in the field of Cell & Development 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 Group 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 role:
The successful candidate will investigate molecular mechanisms that control palisade and spongy mesophyll cell identity and how these link to leaf function. Candidates should have a background in plant science with a PhD degree in plant biology or related fields. Expertise in plant genetics is necessary, and experience with molecular biology, confocal microscopy or leaf physiology are also preferred, alongside a willingness and ability to learn and work with new methodologies and different species.
The ideal candidate:
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 is also strongly preferred. There are many exciting avenues this project could take and it can be tailored to the interests of the successful candidate. 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. Strong communication skills are required to interact with group members and other researchers at JIC with different scientific backgrounds. The Whitewoods lab would like to encourage applications from individuals who wish to work flexibly or on a part time basis.
Additional information:
The Whitewoods lab would like to encourage applications from individuals who wish to work flexibly or on a part time basis.
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.