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Warwick University’s Life Sciences division seeks a Senior Research Technician to support plant immunity research. You will manage plant husbandry and conduct molecular biology tasks within a multidisciplinary team.
The role requires a clean driver's license and a willingness to engage across techniques, with training provided across unfamiliar methods. Fixed-term end date is 31 August 2027, full-time 36.5 hours per week.
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Job Title: Senior Research Technician (109517)
Reference: 303
Department: Life Sciences
Fixed Term End Date:31/08/2027
Hours: Full-time, 36.5 hours per week (1.0 FTE)
Full time Salary Range: £31,236.00- £34,610.00per annum
We are seeking an enthusiastic, hard-working and dedicated individual to support our dynamic lab’s research on various aspects of plant immunity, most notably systemic acquired resistance. You will join a well-funded lab undertaking interdisciplinary discovery research on plant disease resistance, systemic immunity and suppression of plant defence. We use multiple approaches, integrating genetics, genomics, transcriptomics, metabolomics and imaging (whole plants and subcellular) to dissect host and pathogen responses. Our ultimate objective is improved plant disease resistance for enhanced food security. Ideally you will have experience in plant molecular biology, excellent plant husbandry skills a strong interest in scientific research and a willingness to engage, interact and discover. A clean driver’s license is a mandatory requirement. The successful candidate will take full responsibility for all plant husbandry and phytobacterial culture maintenance and receive full training and mentoring across techniques they are unfamiliar with.
Ideally, we are looking for someone with expertise in plant molecular pathology, but minimally plant biology or bacterial microbiology, but we also welcome applications from enthusiastic people with a passion for science, a team player, excellent interpersonal and wet bench laboratory skills. Applicants should be proficient in basic molecular biology but those with experience/expertise in other experimental techniques (metabolomics, biochemistry, imaging) and a passion for discovery are welcome to apply.
About the group/team
You will join the Plant Disease Resistance group in the School of Life Sciences at Warwick University. We work on understanding the molecular basis of plant disease and defense but also cover a range of more applied research in our team.
Any requests for further information about the role can be directed to Murray Grant, m.grant@warwick.ac.uk
The group is based on the Gibbet Hill campus and the lab has a range of whole plant imaging and chlorophyll fluorescence facilities, with extensive resources available within the Bio-Analytical Shared Resource Laboratories (BioSRLs) and Research Technology Platforms (RTPs) at Gibbet Hill (see: https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/sci/lifesci/tic/ ).
We have access to controlled plant growth facilities and collaborate closely with the Chemistry Department.
We and the wider University of Warwick environment offer substantial opportunities for professional development including regular opportunities to attend international conferences.
For details on the experience and skills required, please refer to the job description (link here) .
We are looking for someone with expertise in plant biology, with strong plant husbandry and organisational skills and molecular biology experience. Ideally you will have previous lab experience and have a fundamental knowledge of microbiology. The ability to communicate and collaborate is essential. Previous experience in laboratory Health & Safety monitoring and developing standard operating Protocols is highly desirable. You will be a team player and comfortable supporting diverse research projects.
School of Life Sciences
For further information about the School of Life Sciences please see our website at
We believe that collegiality, openness, inclusivity and diversity are essential for an excellent research and teaching environment. Our workplace ethic has enabled us to gain the Athena SWAN Silver award. We are dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive workplace and encourage applications from all groups with protected characteristics traditionally under-represented in STEM fields. As part of our ongoing commitment to addressing gender equality under the Athena Swan chartermark, we would particularly encourage and welcome applications from female academics.
We will provide you with a great range of benefits, which include an attractive pension scheme, a generous holiday allowance plus Christmas closure, excellent learning and development opportunities, and savings on a wide range of products and services. We offer a generous maternity/paternity/adoption/parental leave policy, and onsite childcare facilities.
We recognise the importance of a healthy work/life balance and offer you access to flexible working, for more information click here .
If you are considering relocating to the UK, read our Relocation Guide to find out more about what Warwick has to offer and what might be involved in the process.
Warwick is committedto building an organisation ofmutual respectanddignity, promoting awelcoming, diverse, and inclusive workingand learning environment. We recognise that everyone is different in a variety of visible and non-visible ways, and that those differences are to be recognised, respected, and valued. Where possible, we go beyond legislation to provide a place where everyone can thrive, supporting all staff to achieve their full potential. We aspire to remove economic, social, and cultural barriers that may otherwise prevent people from succeeding.
We therefore welcome and encourage applications from all communities regardless of culture, background, age, disability, sex/gender, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, religion/belief, or sexual or romantic orientation. To find out more about our social inclusion work at Warwick visit our webpages here .
The University currently holds aRace Equality Charter Bronze Award,Athena Swan Sliver Awardand aDisability Smart Bronze Award.Further information on all of the University's Awards and Accreditations can be found here . The University of Warwick is also one of the six founder institutions of the EUTOPIA European University Alliance .
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