Main Purpose of the Job

Working as part of a team led by Dr Hassan Salem, you will investigate the developmental basis of symbiosis in beetles, focusing on how symbiotic organs form, mature, and are maintained across host life stages.

This position works in collaboration across the Department of Molecular Microbiology at the John Innes Centre.

This role will include:
1. Characterising the developmental origin and morphogenesis of symbiotic organs that house bacterial symbionts, from embryo through to adult.
2. Applying tissue- and cell-type-specific transcriptomic and genomic approaches to symbiotic organs across developmental stages.
3. Using functional genetic tools, including RNAi, CRISPR/Cas9, and microinjection, to manipulate host developmental pathways and test their role in symbiont acquisition and organ formation.
4. Applying confocal microscopy, whole-mount and cross-sectional fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH), and immunostaining to visualise symbiont colonisation and host tissue differentiation.
5. Integrating developmental, molecular, and evolutionary data to understand how host development has been shaped by symbiosis.
6. Disseminating results through preprints, publications, conference presentations, and mentoring of students.

Key Relationships

Working as part of a team led by Dr Hassan Salem, and in collaboration across the Department of Molecular Microbiology, the John Innes Centre, and The Sainsbury Laboratory, you will investigate the developmental basis of symbiosis in beetles, focusing on how symbiotic organs form, mature, and are maintained across host life stages.

Main Activities & Responsibilities

Percentage

Identify, plan, carry out and modify experiments to meet the objectives of the project

50

Prepare results, reports and manuscripts for publication in leading scientific journals and other relevant media

25

Disseminate research findings through presentations to various audiences at internal, national and international meetings

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

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

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

5

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

5

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

Liaise with industry and other external stakeholders

Education & Qualifications

Requirement

Importance

BSc or equivalent in developmental biology, entomology, molecular biology, evolutionary developmental biology (evo-devo), or microbiology, or a related discipline

Essential

PhD (full award or expected within 6 months) or equivalent in developmental biology, entomology, molecular biology, evolutionary developmental biology (evo-devo), or microbiology, or a related discipline

Essential

Specialist Knowledge & Skills

Requirement

Importance

Experience with developmental biology techniques, such as microinjection, in situ hybridisation, and live imaging

Essential

Proficiency in confocal microscopy and image analysis software (e.g., Fiji/ImageJ, Imaris)

Essential

Experience with RNA-seq or spatial/tissue-specific transcriptomics analysis, ideally in non-model organisms

Essential

Relevant Experience

Requirement

Importance

Experience of oral research presentations

Essential

Demonstrated ability to perform research and develop novel ideas in unctional genetic manipulation (e.g., RNAi, CRISPR/Cas9) in insects, ideally non-model species

Essential

Proven record in scientific writing

Essential

Preparing data / information for grant proposals

Desirable

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

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

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

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 specialisation, 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:               £39,000 - £46,500 per annum depending on qualifications and experience. A starting salary of £40,100 is guaranteed for candidates who can evidence their PhD certificate on appointment.
Contract:         24 months, full-time
Location:         John Innes Centre, Norwich, UK
Closing date:  16 September 2026
Reference:     1006173

An opportunity has arisen for a Postdoctoral Researcher to join the group of Dr Hassan Salem at the John Innes Centre in the Department of Molecular Microbiology. This post is funded by a European Research Council (ERC) grant. 

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 specialisation, thereby facilitating herbivory.

The Role:

The candidate will investigate the developmental basis of symbiosis in beetles, focusing on how symbiotic organs form, mature, and are maintained across host life stages.

This role will include:
• Characterising the developmental origin and morphogenesis of symbiotic organs that house bacterial symbionts, from embryo through to adult.
• Applying tissue- and cell-type-specific transcriptomic and genomic approaches to symbiotic organs across developmental stages.
• Using functional genetic tools, including RNAi, CRISPR/Cas9, and microinjection, to manipulate host developmental pathways and test their role in symbiont acquisition and organ formation.
• Applying confocal microscopy, whole-mount and cross-sectional fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH), and immunostaining to visualise symbiont colonisation and host tissue differentiation.
• Integrating developmental, molecular, and evolutionary data to understand how host development has been shaped by symbiosis.
• Disseminating results through preprints, publications, conference presentations, and mentoring of students.

The ideal Candidate:

You will have a PhD (or equivalent) in developmental biology, entomology, molecular biology, evolutionary developmental biology (evo-devo), or microbiology, or a related discipline.

The successful candidate will have:
• Experience with insect developmental biology techniques, such as microinjection, in situ hybridisation, and live imaging.
• Experience with functional genetic manipulation (e.g., RNAi, CRISPR/Cas9) in insects, ideally non-model species.
• Proficiency in confocal microscopy and image analysis software (e.g., Fiji/ImageJ, Imaris).
• Experience with RNA-seq or spatial/tissue-specific transcriptomics analysis, ideally in non-model organisms.
• Strong computational skills for biological data analysis (preferably R and/or Python).
• Demonstrated ability to develop independent, hypothesis-driven research at the interface of development and symbiosis.

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.