Hours per week: 37
Project Title: Parental control of seed dormancy and germination
Expected/Ideal Start Date: 18 Nov 2024
Months Duration: 24
Interview Date: 24 Oct 2024
Job Description
Main Purpose of the Job
An opportunity has arisen for a Postdoctoral Researcher to join the group of Professor Steven Penfield, working to understand how parental genotypes influence the effect of temperature on seed dormancy and germination.
The successful post holder will use the latest molecular biology and genomics techniques to understand how parental temperature sensing takes place and how the signal affects dormancy and germination of progeny seeds.
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
1. Identify, plan, carry out and modify experiments to meet the objectives of the project (75%)
2. Prepare results, reports and manuscripts for publication in leading scientific journals and other relevant media (5%)
3. Disseminate research findings through presentations to various audiences at internal, national and international meetings (5%)
4. Collaborate with colleagues within the Institute in the development of original and world-class research, including contributing to research proposals and grant applications (5%)
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%)
6. 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%)
7. 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
PhD (full award or expected within 6 months) or equivalent in plant Molecular Biology (Essential).
BSc or equivalent in Biological Sciences (Essential).
Specialist Knowledge & Skills
1. Strong understanding of plant reproductive development (Essential)
2. Understanding of seed biology (Essential)
3. Able to align short read sequence data to reference genomes (Essential)
4. Strong publication record, commensurate with experience (Essential)
5. Experience in next generation sequencing approaches to gene function analysis (Essential)
6. Experience working with Arabidopsis (Essential)
7. Experience of molecular biology techniques applied to small tissue samples (Essential)
8. Experience with confocal microscopy or fluorescent stereomicroscopy (Desirable)
9. Experience in Chromatin immunoPrecipitation (Desirable)
Interpersonal & Communication Skills
1. Excellent communication skills, both written and oral, including the ability to present complex information with clarity (Essential)
2. Good interpersonal skills, with the ability to work as part of a team (Essential)
3. Demonstrated ability to work independently, using initiative and applying problem solving skills (Essential)
4. Ability to follow instructions/Standard Operating Procedures (Essential)
Additional Requirements
1. Promotes equality and values diversity (Essential)
2. Willingness to embrace the expected values and behaviours of all staff at the Institute, ensuring it is a great place to work (Essential)
3. Able to present a positive image of self and the Institute, promoting both the international reputation and public engagement aims of the Institute (Essential)
4. Ability to maintain confidentiality and security of information where appropriate (Essential)
5. Willingness to work outside standard working hours when required (Essential)
6. Ability to undertake occasional travel (national and international) related to collaborations and/or seminars (Essential)
7. Attention to detail (Essential)
Who We Are
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.
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.
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.
The Penfield Group uses plant genetics, genomics, molecular and cell biology to understand how plant reproductive development responds to variation in environmental temperature.
Postdoctoral Researcher
Salary: £36,720 to £44,500 per annum depending on qualifications and experience
Contract: 24 months, full-time
Location: John Innes Centre, Norwich, UK
Closing date: 15 October 2024
Reference: 1004770
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