Postdoctoral Researcher

Job Description

Main Purpose of the Job

The Postdoctoral Researcher will work on the mechanistic basis of how cis-determinants through DNA sequence polymorphism and local chromatin changes influence co-transcriptional regulation and epigenetic switches. They will exploit the well-characterized Arabidopsis FLC system and dissect how different mutations have independently evolved to change the rates of FLC silencing over winter.

Key Relationships

Internal: Caroline Dean & Yiliang Ding - Line managers, Ding/Dean group members and, as necessary, other researchers, research support staff and students across the Institute. External: Collaborators

Main Activities & Responsibilities

PercentageIdentify, plan, carry out and modify experiments to meet the objectives of the project - working closely with other members of the Ding-Dean supergroup.80Prepare results, reports and manuscripts for publication in leading scientific journals and other relevant media5Disseminate research findings through presentations to various audiences at internal, national and international meetings5Ensure research and record keeping is carried out in accordance with good practice, Scientific Integrity and in compliance with local policies and any legal requirements5Contribute 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 excellence5As 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

RequirementImportancePhD (full award or expected within 6 months) or equivalent in Molecular biology or related disciplineEssentialBSc or equivalent in molecular biology Essential

Specialist Knowledge & Skills

RequirementImportanceArabidopsis geneticsEssentialArabidopsis transgenic plant generation and analysisEssentialEpigenetic analysisEssential

Relevant Experience

RequirementImportanceExperience of oral research presentationsEssentialDemonstrated ability to perform research and develop novel ideas EssentialProven record in scientific writingEssentialPreparing data / information for grant proposalsDesirableExperience of supervising, training and mentoring visitors and studentsDesirable

Interpersonal & Communication Skills

RequirementImportanceExcellent communication skills, both written and oral, including the ability to present complex information with clarity EssentialGood interpersonal skills, with the ability to work as part of a teamEssentialDemonstrated ability to work independently, using initiative and applying problem solving skillsEssentialExcellent time management and organisational skillsEssentialAbility to collaborate with internal and external stakeholdersEssentialAbility to follow instructions/Standard Operating ProceduresEssentialPromotes and strives for continuous improvementEssential

Additional Requirements

RequirementImportancePromotes equality and values diversityEssentialWillingness to embrace the expected values and behaviours of all staff at the Institute, ensuring it is a great place to workEssentialAble to present a positive image of self and the Institute, promoting both the international reputation and public engagement aims of the Institute EssentialAbility to maintain confidentiality and security of information where appropriate EssentialWillingness to work outside standard working hours when required EssentialAbility to undertake occasional travel (national and international) related to collaborations and/or seminars EssentialAttention to detailEssential

Who We Are

John Innes Centre

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.

For more information about working at the John Innes Centre, please click here.

We are proud to hold a prestigious Athena SWAN Gold award, recognising the impact of our work in promoting gender equality in science. We are also a proud member of the Stonewall Diversity Champion’s programme, a founding signatory of the Tecnician Commitment and, as a Disability Confident employer, guarantee to offer an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the post.

The John Innes Centre is a registered charity (No. 223852), limited by guarantee (registered in England No. 511709).

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. Guided by evolutionary principles, the Department uses its knowledge of biological processes obtained in laboratory organisms such as Arabidopsis to understand processes in crop plants such as Brassicas and cereals. To study this interaction of the plant genome with internal developmental networks and the environment, the Department uses a combination of genetic, cell biological, molecular and evolutionary strategies. The insights we are gaining provide both an increasingly detailed knowledge of the proteins involved in diverse regulatory mechanisms and a conceptual framework in which this knowledge can be related and eventually integrated into a molecular description of plant cell function. The knowledge the department is creating is relevant to agriculture. Genes that control plant stature, form, over-wintering responses and growth are potentially useful for improving crop performance.

Group Details

The groups of Yiliang Ding and Caroline Dean have merged. The individual will work in this joint group.

Living in Norfolk