Research Fellow - Plant Molecular Genetics

To create and contribute to the creation of knowledge by undertaking a specified range of activities within an established research programme and/or specific research project. With this exciting project we seek to provide new insight into how signals are directly transduced into epigenetic changes to coordinate development and environmental/stress-responsiveness in plants, using Arabidopsis as a model. This project will use a range of biochemical, genetic and cell biology approaches, including ChIP PCR and ChIP-Seq, to investigate a a role for the PRC2 component VRN2 in the regulation of the global chromatin landscape in response to environmental signals, building on our recent discovery that VRN2 is regulated by the N-end rule pathway of proteolysis (Gibbs et al 2018 Nature Communications). The candidate will work together with a Post Doc, technical support person on this 30 month project, which has been funded by the ERC.

Main Duties

• Carry out research, including Arabidopsis molecular genetics, protein biochemistry, ChIP and RNA-Seq, and physiology as required by grant objectives, under the overall supervision of Dr. Daniel Gibbs.
• Day to day responsibility for the conduct and satisfactory progress of the research
• Keep meticulous digital and hard copy experimental records using paper and online notebooks
• Communicate with collaborators and attend meetings with them as required
• Contribute ideas and be involved with the longer term planning of the project in consultation with Dr. Gibbs
• Be prepared to share their expertise with more junior members of the laboratory e.g. research students.
• Develop research objectives and proposals for own or joint research, with assistance of a mentor if required
• Contribute to writing bids for research funding
• Analyse and interpret data
• Apply knowledge in a way which develops new intellectual understanding
• Disseminate research findings for publication, research seminars etc
• Supervise students on research related work and provide guidance to PhD students where appropriate to the discipline
• Contribute to developing new models, techniques and methods
• Undertake management/administration arising from research
• To manage the day-to-day research objectives of the associated technician who will be hired as part of the project, under the overall supervision of Dr. Daniel Gibbs
• Attend and participate in meetings by Skype and conference call with international collaborators

Person Specification

• PhD in the area of plant molecular genetics
• Protein biology experience essential(including western blotting and immunoprecipitation)
• Experience of chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) and ChIP-Seq/RNA-seq desirable
• Computer skills
• Plant cell biology
• Ability to design, execute and write up experimental work independently and to troubleshoot failed experiments
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team or independently as required
• Willingness to learn new experimental/intellectual techniques
• Motivation and commitment
• Good time management skills, ability to prioritise and meet deadlines
• Able to communicate effectively with supervisors and collaborators
• An understanding of the issues of confidentiality and to conduct themselves in a manner that protects any confidential information in their possession

Closing Date: 10 Apr 2019