Research Fellow in Plant Hormonal Signalling

We are looking for an enthusiastic, ambitious and self-motivated scientist to join the laboratory of Dr. Tom Bennett on a 3-year fixed term Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC)-funded project. The project is multidisciplinary and involves molecular biology, molecular genetics, protein biochemistry, structural biology, imaging (including super-resolution microscopy), developmental biology and evolutionary approaches.

In this project we aim to build upon our recent findings on the function and evolution of the signalling pathway for the key plant hormone strigolactone. In addition to defining the core upstream signalling mechanism for strigolactone perception, we have shown that strigolactone signalling has evolved relatively recently by duplication and neo-functionalization of the ancient ‘KAI2’ signalling pathway. The key aims of the project are (1) to identify the signalling pathway downstream of the core strigolactone perception machinery in the model plant Arabidopsis and (2) to understand how strigolactone signalling mediates specific effects on plant development, despite sharing molecular components and an evolutionary origin with the KAI2 signalling pathway.

As part of this role you will design and implement experiments using a range of biochemical techniques to understand how specificity arises in the interaction between strigolactone receptors and their direct proteolytic targets. You will also examine structure-function relationships in these target proteins to identify domains needed for downstream signalling. Finally, you will identify the downstream effectors of strigolactone signalling using a candidate-based approach in the well-defined context of Arabidopsis lateral root development.

You will have a PhD (or close to completion) in plant biology or a closely allied dicsipline, extensive experience in molecular biology, particularly cloning using classical, Gateway or Gibson methods, and the ability to work well both independently and as part of a team.
The University of Leeds and the Faculty of Biological Sciences are committed to providing equal opportunities for all and offer a range of family friendly policies. The University is a charter member of Athena SWAN (the national body that promotes gender equality in higher education), and the Faculty of Biological Sciences gained a Bronze award in 2014 and submitted an application for a Silver award in April 2017. We are proud to be an inclusive Faculty that values all staff, and are happy to consider job share applications and requests for flexible working arrangements from our employees. Our Athena SWAN webpage provides more information. http://www.fbs.leeds.ac.uk/equality-and-diversity/athena-swan/

To explore the post further or for any queries you may have, please contact:

Dr Tom Bennett, University Academic Fellow in Molecular Plant Science

Tel: +44 (0)113 343 8614, email: t.a.bennett@leeds.ac.uk