Postdoctoral Biotechnologist
This is a Fixed Term, Full Time vacancy that will close in {x} days at {xx:xx} BST.
The Vacancy
We are looking for a postdoctoral research scientist to establish Agrobacterium-based transformation and gene editing in raspberry (Rubus idaeus). This work forms part of the new Soft Fruit Genetic Improvement Network (GIN) funded by DEFRA (https://www.soft-fruit-gin.com/), which is dedicated to conducting genetic research on soft fruit berry crops. We want to enhance the knowledge of target traits (quality and disease resistance) and ensure delivery of tools and germplasm for breeding new varieties, enabling sustainable and high-quality berry production for the future.
The post is fixed term for 3 years.
Main purpose of job
Although gene editing (GE) pipelines have been established at the Hutton Biotechnology facility for barley and potato, no such system is available on-site for soft fruit species. The primary aim of the postholder will be to establish a routine pipeline for GE in raspberry. This will be a challenging project as there are very few GE studies in soft fruit, and development will rely heavily on adapting established protocols from other plant species.
Key activities
The postholder will be required to:
- Develop routine tissue culture methodology for selected commercial raspberry varieties. This will include both maintenance and regeneration procedures;
- Generate raspberry lines transformed with RUBY reporter and mobile cas9-gRNA vectors. This will require development of an efficient transformation/regeneration protocol, testing several commercial varieties;
- Generate gene constructs for GE controls and candidate gene targets. This will be done in collaboration with the Cloning Group at the University of Dundee;
- Establish an efficient pipeline for GE in raspberry. This will require extensive research and optimisation, utilising guidance from limited published methods in related species and through consultation with Biotechnology facility staff and external academic partners (from the GIN and beyond);
- Enable high-throughput screening of putative GE lines with appropriate molecular biology techniques;
- Present work at the Soft Fruit GIN progress meetings and relevant academic conferences;
- Assist in writing progress reports for the Soft Fruit GIN project, meeting appropriate deadlines;
- Publish research in peer reviewed journals;
- Contribute to relevant and related external grant applications;
- Assist with daily laboratory operations
Person specification
Essential
- PhD in relevant subject, such as Biotechnology, Plant Molecular Biology or Genetics
- Degree or equivalent in a biological subject
- Practical laboratory skills in molecular biology
- Tissue culture and/or genetic manipulation (GM) experience
- Team player
- Good record keeping
- Excellent organisational skills
- Demonstrated problem solving abilities
- Good written and oral communication skills
- Basic computational skills
Desirable
- Practical experience in plant, ideally crop, transformation
- Experience of plant gene editing (CRISPR-Cas9)
- Demonstrated molecular cloning techniques and vector construction
- Knowledge and experience in establishment and maintenance of high-health plant material
- Glasshouse work
- Contributions to funding applications
- Ability to work independently
What we Offer
Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) - A confidential service available to support employees and their families with work or personal problems. Providing access to professional counsellors, psychologists, and work-life consultants available to help and support individuals in tackling all types of problems.
Annual Leave – Generous entitlement up to 40.5 days a year, with carry over possible and guaranteed time-off for Christmas.
Pension - Employer Contribution of 15% in a Personal Pension Plan and employee contribution flexibility.
Self-managed hours and Flexible Working – option to manage and spread your working time in line with organisational needs to create a healthy work life balance.
Additional Notes
- Please note the minimum salary threshold for a Skilled Worker Visa is currently £38,700.00. If the advertised salary for this posts falls below this threshold, we regret to advise that we may not be able to provide a Certificate of Sponsorship to a non-UK citizen for this role. Applicants who do not meet the conditions to be sponsored as per the UK governments page (https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa/when-you-can-be-paid-less) will need to demonstrate an alternative right to work.
Our Commitment to Equality and Diversity
We will not consider the use of 3rd party recruitment agencies for the sourcing of candidates for this position.
The James Hutton Institute is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.
The James Hutton Institute is a: Stonewall Diversity Champion; Athena SWAN Silver Status Holder; Disability Confident Committed Employer and a Living Wage Employer.
The James Hutton Institute is Happy to Talk Flexible Working.
The Company
The James Hutton Institute combines strengths in crops, soils and land use and environmental research, and makes a major contribution to the understanding of key global issues, such as food, energy and environmental security, and developing and promoting effective technological and management solutions to these.
James Hutton (1726 – 1797) was a leading figure of the Scottish Enlightenment, an eighteenth century golden age of intellectual and scientific achievements centred on Edinburgh. He is internationally regarded as the founder of modern geology and one of the first scientists to describe the Earth as a living system. His thinking on natural selection influenced Charles Darwin in developing his theory of evolution.
Our Values
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