Senior Research Technician - Rice Research (Fixed-term)
Location
Sutton Bonington
Salary
£29,740 to £36,446per annum pro-rata depending on skills and experience.
Closing Date
Friday 04 December 2026
Reference
SCI807226
Applications are invited for a fixed term full-time Research Technician position to work on developing stress resilience in rice. The role involves two linked projects, one which seeks to develop Temperature Resistant (TempR) Rice by exploiting novel germplasm to deliver improved heat tolerance and future-proofed rice yields and the other “Validation of root diameter as a key root trait for stress resilience”. The project is based in the laboratories of Prof Zoe Wilson and Erik Murchie (Sutton Bonington Campus, University of Nottingham, UK).
Rice reproduction, especially pollendevelopment and photosynthesis, areextremelysensitive to heatstress,resulting inmajor impacts toseed set, posing a significant threat to future yield and food security. It is not known whether the failure of reproduction is because pollen development isparticularly sensitive to heat, orasecondaryconsequence of disruption of energy generation by impairedphotosynthesis, or a combination ofboth.This project aims to address this fundamental question, alongsidedevelopingricegermplasm and markers to enable rapid trait deployment in breedingprogrammesfor heat stress resilience in an agricultural field environment. The workinvolves a partnership with the InternationalRice Research Institute (IRRI) in the Philippines, which will enabletesting of rice germplasm under in-field conditions of heat stress,and utilisation of their rice populations that have been established for heat resistance and trait identification and deployment. It will also involve detailedanalysis of several candidate genes that we havealreadyidentifiedalong with their resultant phenotype.
Applicants must be highly motivatedand meticulous,with experience in growing plants, analysing plant physiology, and molecular biology techniques.Experience in working with rice,plantreproduction, photosynthesisand advancedphysiological techniquesis desirable.
This is a full-time, fixed-term post (36.25 hours) and is availableimmediately on a fixed term contract until12thOctober2028.
For more information on our lab activities please contact zoe.wilson@nottingham.ac.uk or Erik.Murchie@nottingham.ac.uk.
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Senior Research Technician - Rice Research (Fixed-term) in Sutton Bonington employer: University Of Nottingham
The University of Nottingham Ningbo China (UNNC) is an exceptional employer for those passionate about academia, offering a vibrant work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration. With a strong emphasis on professional development, faculty members are encouraged to engage in cutting-edge research while enjoying the benefits of a supportive environment in a culturally rich location. This role not only provides opportunities for personal growth but also allows you to make a significant impact in the field of Applied Mathematics and Statistics.
