Postdoctoral Researcher

Hours per week: 37

Project Title: Apoplastic signalling in plant stress responses

Months Duration: 36

Job Description Main Purpose of the Job

The Postdoctoral Researcher will undertake research to identify how stress signals move through tissues to execute multicellular responses.

For this, the Postdoctoral Researcher will use metabolomic, transcriptomic, cell biology and genetic analysis to both characterise the dynamics of different stress responses. They will work independently to produce data and critically analyse this data, and by keeping up to date with current developments in the field, contribute insights and ideas that help develop the project.

This research is part of a large-scale, multidisciplinary programme and therefore the Postdoctoral Researcher will be an active and collaborative member of a larger team.

Key Relationships

The PDRA will be an active member of the Faulkner group and interact with all members of that team. The PDRA will also interact with researchers across JIC and TSL as a member of the Cell and Developmental Biology Department and of the Advancing Plant Health Institute Strategic Programme, and with the relevant support teams such as Horticulture, Bioimaging, Proteomics and Metabolomics. The PDRA will also have responsibility for liaising with external collaborators to expand the research programme.

Main Activities & Responsibilities

1. Identify, plan, carry out and modify experiments to meet the objectives of the project.
2. Disseminate research findings through publication in leading scientific journals and other relevant media, and in presentations to various audiences at internal, national and international meetings.
3. Collaborate with colleagues within the Institute and externally in the development of original and world-class research, including contributing to research proposals and grant applications.
4. Liaise with industry and other external stakeholders.
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.
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.
7. Continually strive for excellence, seeking out and acting on feedback and relevant learning and development opportunities.
8. 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) Essential; BSc or equivalent Essential.

Specialist Knowledge & Skills

Requirement Importance: Evidence of laboratory skills in metabolomics and/or proteomics Essential; Experience in data analysis and statistics Essential; Gene expression analysis and RNA sequencing Essential; Evidence of experience in plant molecular biology Essential; Skills and experience in live cell imaging Desirable.

Requirement Importance: Demonstrated ability to perform research and develop novel ideas Essential; Proven record in scientific writing Essential; Experience of oral research presentations Essential; Experience of supervising, training and mentoring visitors and students Desirable; Preparing data/information for grant proposals 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

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

Cell & Developmental Biology

Development continues throughout the life of the plant. While many linear pathways affecting development have been discovered and are illustrated by elegant genetic studies, the challenge of the future will be for us to understand how these developmental pathways are integrated, both with themselves as well as with environmental signals, to enable a mature plant to grow from a seed.

The Faulkner laboratory focuses on the role of intercellular communication in plant immune and stress responses. Cell-to-cell communication is a fundamental biological process, necessary for coordination of development and environmental responses in multicellular organisms. The group studies different mechanisms of signal transmission and response, in immune and stress contexts, to determine how cellular processes integrate to produce multicellular and whole organism responses.

Postdoctoral Researcher
Salary: £36,720 – £39,750 per annum depending on qualifications and experience.
Contract: 36 months, full time
Location: John Innes Centre, Norwich, UK.
Closing date: 6 April 2025
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