Research Associate in Lettuce Gene Editing

University of York; New Brunswick; On-site; CAD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading university in biological research seeks a Postdoctoral Research Associate to work on a cutting-edge project involving gene regulatory networks for disease-resistant crops. The role focuses on enhancing lettuce transformation and gene editing. The ideal candidate will possess a PhD in biological sciences and demonstrate a strong research track record. This is a fixed-term contract up to 14 months.

Qualifications

• PhD in a relevant biological science or equivalent.
• Proven research success in biological sciences.
• Ability to communicate and write research for publication.

Responsibilities

• Test gene editing constructs to enhance editing rates in lettuce.
• Optimize efficiency of lettuce transformation and regeneration.
• Collaborate with researchers and lead on drafting manuscripts.

Skills

PhD in a relevant biological science

Track record of research success

Good communication skills

Experience with molecular plant science techniques

Self-motivated and reliable

Education

PhD in a relevant biological science

Job description

Department

You will be a member of the Department of Biology, which is one of the UK's leading Biology departments, and renowned internationally for our research. This is combined with a commitment to teaching and outstanding student satisfaction, and we have been recognised consistently for our family-friendly policies and are proud of our Athena SWAN Gold Award. We aim to ensure that there is a supportive culture across all staff groups and levels. We promote good practice and a strong culture of equality in higher education. Further information can be found on our website (http://www.york.ac.uk/biology/research/).

Role

We are looking for a Postdoctoral Research Associate to join a project engineering gene regulatory networks to design disease resistant crops. The project is a collaboration between Katherine Denby’s group at the University of York, Nicola Patron at the University of Cambridge and Richard Morris at the John Innes Centre. We have modelled and validated a gene regulatory network underlying the lettuce transcriptional defence response to fungal pathogens, which has identified several regulators of the defence response (both positive and negative) and their downstream target genes. We have refined the gene regulatory network and through computational modelling predicted how to re-wire the network to maximise plant resistance to infection. We are now implementing the re-wiring using gene editing and synthetic genetic controllers, testing in protoplasts and transgenic lettuce. This new PDRA will focus on improving the efficiency of lettuce transformation and gene editing for the generation of stably transformed plants.

The postdoctoral researcher will test multiple gene editing constructs to enhance the rate of editing in lettuce and work to optimise the efficiency of lettuce transformation and regeneration. The PDRA will work closely with other researchers in the Denby, Patron and Morris groups, lead on drafting manuscripts for publication, and assist in training other staff and undergraduates/postgraduates.

This is a fixed-term contract for up to 14 months.

Skills, Experience & Qualifications needed

• PhD in a relevant biological science, or equivalent
• Track record of research success
• Good communication skills, ability to write up research work for publication
• Experience with a range of molecular plant science techniques
• Reliable and self-motivated; good interpersonal skills; able to work as part of a team

Interview date: to be confirmed

For informal enquiries: please contact Katherine Denby on [e-mail]