Computational Biologist for Vegetable Trait Analysis (KTP Associate)

Applications are invited for a KTP Associate to join the Research Faculty at the Earlham Institute, based in Norwich, UK.

Background:

This UKRI Innovate UK funded Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) is a collaboration between the Earlham Institute and Tozer seeds. You will be employed by the Earlham Institute as a KTP Associate; however, the applicant will be based at Tozer Seeds Innovation Centre in Cobham, Surrey, embedded within the R&D team. The applicant will be co-affiliated to the Earlham Institute, where they will interact remotely online (virtual working) on weekly basis and occasionally in person in one-day visits.

This is a unique opportunity to work on an innovative project focusing on the application of genomics-based analyses for the development of marker-assisted selection protocols, with the aim of optimising the breeding of superior celery varieties.

The role:

Based at Tozer Seeds Innovation Centre, the work will be multidisciplinary in nature, requiring engagement in bioinformatics, laboratory, and field-based variety trials, drawing on fundamental plant biology and bioinformatics skills, and a good understanding on how crop improvement works.

The applicant will develop trials, genotyping and phenotyping datasets, and GWAS statistical analysis, for marker discovery in a non-model vegetable crop species (celery).

The work will involve trial design, overseeing population phenotyping in field trials (UK, Spain, California) and hands-on laboratory screening assays, completing statistical analysis of multi-season multi-location trial data, bioinformatic analysis of large biological datasets, developing and documenting bioinformatic analyses and training colleagues in them, and engaging with stakeholders in the vegetable variety market, such as growers and sales/marketing colleagues. 

The ideal candidate: 

The successful applicant will have a Masters in Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, or a Molecular Biology discipline with a strong computational element. A PhD in the same discipline would be advantageous. Candidates will have laboratory experience (molecular) in DNA extractions, PCR/qPCR, have a good understanding of bioinformatic (computational biology) analysis, and knowledge in Molecular Biology principles. 

They should also have experience in computational analysis of next-gen sequencing (NGS) datasets, and genotyping and phenotyping datasets, as well as experience of working in a highly collaborative research environment with evidence of writing and reporting results in research. 

The applicant will have access to world-class breeding facilities and training at Tozer Seeds, and cutting-edge bioinformatics training and facilities at Earlham Institute.

The candidate will work independently, closely interacting with other members in the R&D team at Tozer Seeds and the Crop Genomics groups and Business Development and Impact team at Earlham Institute. 

Additional information:

Salary on appointment will be within the range of £34,950 to £43,750 per annum depending on qualifications and experience.  This is a full-time post for a contract of 30 months. 

For further information and details of how to apply, please visit our website via the 'Apply' button above, or contact the Human Resources team on 01603 450814 or nbi.recruitment@nbi.ac.uk quoting reference 1004653. This role meets the criteria for a visa application, and we encourage all qualified candidates to apply.  Please contact the Human Resources Team if you have any questions regarding your application or visa options. 

As a Disability Confident employer, we guarantee to offer an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for this vacancy. 

The closing date for applications will be 3 June 2024.

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