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

Internal: Line manager, group members and, as necessary, other researchers, research support staff and students across the Institute. External: Collaborators

Main Activities & Responsibilities

Enhance the output of a research group by executing and refining existing experimental protocols and/or administrative procedures, assisting colleagues with trouble-shooting as necessary

Run key items of equipment providing services and/or techniques, taking responsibility for purchases, maintenance and repairs

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

Mentor/supervise less experienced researchers, encouraging scientific excellence and provide guidance and training on specialised items of equipment

Plan, perform, trouble-shoot and analyse experiments as and when necessary, providing preliminary data

Design and supervise small research projects for students

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

Assist in the preparation of research proposals and manuscripts, collaborating internally and externally as appropriate

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

Disseminate research findings and establish reputation through participation in national conferences and exhibitions

Support the profile and reputation of the Institute by participating in relevant engagement activities (eg, school visits or open days)

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

Education & Qualifications

Requirement

Importance

A BSc in molecular biology, microbiology, genetics, chemical ecology or a related discipline

Essential

A PhD in molecular biology, microbiology, genetics, chemical ecology or a related discipline

Desirable

Specialist Knowledge & Skills

Requirement

Importance

Practical laboratory experience in molecular biology, microbiology, genetics or a related experimental field

Essential

Experience in molecular biology workflows involving DNA, RNA or gene expression analysis.

Essential

Relevant Experience

Requirement

Importance

Experience of oral research presentations

Essential

Experience with molecular cloning, genetic engineering or related laboratory techniques

Essential

Preparing data / information for grant proposals

Desirable

Proven record in scientific writing

Desirable

Provided technical training

Desirable

Supervision of students and visiting workers

Desirable

Demonstrated ability to perform research

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

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

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 Bradley group investigates the molecular mechanisms underlying chemical communication between plants and fungi, with a particular focus on how plant-derived small molecules influence fungal biology and plant–fungal interactions.

Plant-associated fungi play diverse roles in plant health and nutrition. While some cause disease, others form beneficial symbioses that improve plant access to essential nutrients. Understanding how chemical signals regulate these interactions could help inform more sustainable approaches to crop protection and nutrient management.

Despite considerable progress in understanding how plant–fungal associations develop, the mechanisms by which fungi perceive and respond to plant-derived chemical signals remain poorly understood. Addressing this gap is challenging because many ecologically important fungi are difficult to manipulate genetically and experimentally.

The Bradley group combines molecular genetics, synthetic biology and tractable model systems to investigate fungal chemical perception. By integrating approaches from model yeasts and filamentous fungi, we aim to uncover conserved and specialised signalling mechanisms and develop new ways to investigate fungal biology.

Our research focuses on three interconnected areas:
Synthetic reconstruction of fungal signalling pathways. Developing model systems to investigate the function and regulation of signalling pathways from plant-associated fungi.
Discovery and characterisation of fungal chemical perception. Identifying plant-derived compounds that influence fungal responses and investigating the molecular mechanisms underlying these interactions.
Developing new experimental approaches for fungal biology. Establishing tools and methods that make genetically and experimentally challenging fungi more amenable to systematic investigation.

Living in Norfolk

• Visit Norfolk
• Schools in Norfolk
• Childcare in Norfolk

Research Assistant

Salary:            £38,000 - £42,150 per annum depending on qualifications and experience.
Contract:        24 months, full-time
Location:        John Innes Centre, Norwich, UK
Closing date: 13 November 2026
Reference:     1006230

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Research Assistant to join the Bradley 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 Bradley Group:

The Bradley group investigates the molecular mechanisms underlying chemical communication between plants and fungi, with a particular focus on how plant-derived small molecules influence fungal biology and plant–fungal interactions.

Plant-associated fungi play diverse roles in plant health and nutrition. While some cause disease, others form beneficial symbioses that improve plant access to essential nutrients. Understanding how chemical signals regulate these interactions could help inform more sustainable approaches to crop protection and nutrient management.

Despite considerable progress in understanding how plant–fungal associations develop, the mechanisms by which fungi perceive and respond to plant-derived chemical signals remain poorly understood. Addressing this gap is challenging because many ecologically important fungi are difficult to manipulate genetically and experimentally.

The Bradley group combines molecular genetics, synthetic biology and tractable model systems to investigate fungal chemical perception. By integrating approaches from model yeasts and filamentous fungi, we aim to uncover conserved and specialised signalling mechanisms and develop new ways to investigate fungal biology.

The role:

Embedded within the collaborative and diverse Molecular Microbiology Department at the John Innes Centre, you will:
• Develop and apply molecular and genetic approaches to investigate microbial responses to biologically relevant chemical signals.
• Contribute to the development and management of experimental resources to support chemical biology research.
• Conduct microbiological screening experiments to identify and characterise novel biological responses to chemical cues.
• Investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying microbial signalling and environmental interactions.

The ideal candidate:

You will have a BSc in molecular biology, microbiology, genetics, chemical ecology or a related discipline. You will have a keen interest in experimental, laboratory-based research and a willingness to learn new techniques plus a demonstrable ability to plan and conduct hypothesis-driven experiments, critically evaluate results and develop follow-up investigations.

Other essential requirements are strong communication skills, including the ability to present scientific ideas and results clearly to different audiences and an ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a research team.
Desirable skills include:
• Experience with high-throughput screening or other systematic approaches to experimental investigation.
• Experience in molecular biology workflows involving DNA, RNA or gene expression analysis.
• Experience with microscopy or other approaches to characterising cellular responses.
• Experience analysing complex biological datasets, including transcriptomic data. • A track record of communicating research through peer-reviewed publications or other scientific outputs.

Additional information:

Interviews are planned for 23-23 November 2026.

This role meets the criteria for a visa application, and we encourage all qualified candidates to apply. 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.