Opportunity for an outstanding post-doctoral scientist within the Patron Group at the Earlham Institute (EI) to work on a collaborative project with the O'Connor group at the John Innes Centre (JIC).

Employer: The Earlham Institute

Website: http://www.earlham.ac.uk

Location: Norwich, United Kingdom

Posted: 14 days ago

Expires: April 03, 2017

Job type: Postdoctoral

Salary Unspecified Qualifications: Postgraduate - Doctorate/PhD

Employment type: Contract

Job hours: Full-time

Postdoctoral Researcher

The candidate must have a comprehensive understanding of methods used in heterologous gene expression, a good understanding of plant secondary metabolism and laboratory skills in molecular biology and biochemistry.

The project aims to improve heterologous plant production chassis and to contribute to our understanding of how the rich endogenous metabolism of plants detoxifies foreign molecules. Specifically, the post holder will use RNA-guided Cas9 and virus-induced gene silencing to introduce mutations and downregulate endogenous genes predicted to interfere with or prevent heterologous expression of proteins and metabolites. This will pave the way for more effective plant production chassis for efficient production of proteins and small molecules, including vaccines and human therapies.

The post-holder will contribute to the selection of gene targets, construct design and assembly, genotyping, heterologous expression, and quantification of heterologously expressed proteins and metabolites. Technical assistance will be provided for the generation of genome-engineered plants and the post-holder will have access to the cutting-edge laboratory automation facilities at EI's DNA Foundry. The post-holder will also interact with stakeholders at LeafSystems® and have the opportunity to work and collaborate with scientists in the OpenPlant Synthetic Biology Research Centre.

The successful applicant will have a PhD in Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Biological Chemistry, Plant Biology, Synthetic Biology, or a related subject. Experience in molecular cloning, genotyping and expression analyses are all essential, and experience with LC- and GC-based mass spectrometry metabolomics are desirable.

Salary on appointment will be within the range £30,750 to £37,750 per annum depending on qualifications and experience. This post is for a contract of 3 years.

The EI is a vibrant, contemporary research institute, and host the UK National Capability for Genomics, a DNA-Foundry for Synthetic Biology and one of the largest computing hardware facilities dedicated to life science research in Europe. EI has research programs that aim to improve food security, advance industrial biotechnology and to improve human health and wellbeing. The JIC is a world-leading, international centre of excellence in plant science and microbiology, involved in cutting-edge, high quality fundamental, strategic and applied research. Both institutes and LeafSystems® are co-located on the Norwich Research Park (NRP) which has an excellent reputation for research in plant and microbial sciences, interdisciplinary environmental science and food, diet and health.

The EI offer competitive salaries, an excellent defined-contribution pension scheme, life assurance, tailored learning and development and onsite sports facilities that are available to all staff and their guests.

For further information and details of how to apply, please visit their web site http://jobs.earlham.ac.uk/ or contact Human Resources, Norwich BioScience Institutes Partnership, Norwich Research Park, Colney, Norwich, NR4 7UH, UK, 01603 450462 quoting reference 1003189.

As a Disability Confident employer, the EI guarantee to offer an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for this vacancy.

The closing date for applications will be 3rd April 2017.