The successful candidate will work with genome sequence and RNAseq datasets to study the notorious wheat rust pathogens, which have been associated with crop failures and famine throughout history. The appointee will lead the development of all bioinformatic elements for two projects:
- Further developing and supporting the award-winning MARPLE diagnostics system, and using this system to study wheat rust population dynamics at an international scale. The MARPLE system uses MinION sequencing to rapidly diagnose individual wheat rust strains and has been deployed across East Africa and South Asia.
- Analysing wheat rust infection RNAseq datasets. This will include further developing existing approaches in the lab that have proved extremely fruitful in using these datasets to identify new sources of wheat rust resistance. This will provide the candidate the opportunity to contribute directly to strengthening wheat resilience to rust infection.
This post provides an exciting opportunity for the candidate to work in a multidisciplinary research group in the Crop Genetics department at the JIC, whilst also working with partners across East Africa, South Asia and at the international maize and wheat improvement center, CIMMYT.
You will have excellent programme skills in Python, Bash and experience with software testing. You will have demonstrated ability to work independently, using initiative and in applying problem solving skills. A PhD (full award or expected within 6 months) in computer science, bioinformatics or a related field is also essential. PhD or equivalent.
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 Saunders Group: The Saunders group works on a variety of emerging and re‑emerging plant pathogens using a broad array of techniques that includes molecular genetics, biochemistry, plant pathology, cell biology, genomics, transcriptomics, and data mining to improve our understanding of the molecular mechanisms at the plant pathogen interface.
