Lead Lettuce Genome Editing Scientist

LeafyColl Ltd; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

LeafyColl Ltd., based in Cambridge, seeks a scientist to own a genome-editing programme for lettuce. You will identify candidate genes, design editing constructs, and drive transformation, culture, and regeneration to validated genome-edited plants.

The role requires hands-on success in generating and sequence-confirming genome-edited plants and experience with Agrobacterium-mediated transformation and tissue culture, preferably in lettuce.

Qualifications

• PhD (or near completion) in plant molecular biology, plant biotechnology, plant genetics or related field.
• Proven success generating, regenerating and sequence-confirming CRISPR-edited plants.
• Practical experience of Agrobacterium-mediated transformation, tissue culture and whole-plant regeneration, preferably in lettuce or related crops.
• Experience identifying candidate genes for plant traits and designing genome-editing constructs.
• Ability to plan experiments independently, troubleshoot effectively and collaborate with others.

Responsibilities

• Identify and prioritise candidate genes underlying commercial traits using genomic, genetic and expression data.
• Design CRISPR-Cas editing constructs, including guide RNA selection, and oversee their assembly.
• Evaluate advanced CRISPR tools (Cas variants, base/prime editing) where justified.
• Carry out Agrobacterium-mediated lettuce transformation and optimise transformation efficiency.
• Perform lettuce tissue culture, shoot regeneration, rooting and establishment of whole plants.
• Confirm editing events by genotyping and sequencing, and develop transgene-free edited lines where feasible.
• Phenotype edited plants and report reproducible results against project milestones.
• Work collaboratively with the LeafyColl team and external partners.

Skills

Independent planning

Troubleshooting

Collaboration

Education

PhD in plant molecular biology (or near completion)

Tools

Agrobacterium-mediated transformation

Tissue culture

Whole-plant regeneration

Genotyping/ sequencing

Job description

LeafyColl Ltd., based in Cambridge, seeks a scientist to own a genome-editing programme for lettuce. You will identify candidate genes, design editing constructs, and drive transformation, culture, and regeneration to validated genome-edited plants.

The role requires hands-on success in generating and sequence-confirming genome-edited plants and experience with Agrobacterium-mediated transformation and tissue culture, preferably in lettuce.