Legume Pre-breeding Research Technician

Prof Donal O’Sullivan’s Crop Genetic Improvement group in the School of Agriculture, Policy and Development has an opening for a fixed-term research assistant role in faba bean pre-breeding to:

• Search for novel faba bean variants with higher levels of micronutrients such as iron and zinc, which will be addressed by conducting a large-scale biochemical screen of a collection of faba bean mutants.
• To reveal genes controlling physical seed characteristics relevant to use of faba bean as a food ingredient which will be addressed by conducting a detailed phenotypic characterization of seed and seed coat morphology in appropriate mapping populations.
• To support the exploitation of nutritionally and technologically relevant seed traits, agronomic traits (yield components, phenology) of the mutant collection will be characterized in the field.

The role will be associated with the Defra-funded Pulse Crop Genetic Improvement Network (www.pcgin.org).

You will have:

• A science degree in a relevant discipline.
• Knowledge of plant biology and/or biochemistry.
• A blend of laboratory and plant biology skills.
• Good communication skills and a team-oriented mentality.

See the Job Description and Person Specification (available on the university's website, accessed by the apply button) for further details.

Informal Contact Details
Contact role: Professor of Crop Science.
Contact name: Donal O’Sullivan
Contact phone: 0118 3786729
Contact email: d.m.osullivan@reading.ac.uk

Interview Date: TBC

Applications from job seekers who require sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. By reference to the applicable SOC code for this role, sponsorship may be possible under the Skilled Worker Route. Applicants should ensure that they are able to meet the points requirement under the PBS. There is further information about this on the UK Visas and Immigration Website.

The University is committed to having a diverse and inclusive workforce, supports the gender equality Athena SWAN Charter and the Race Equality Charter, and is a Diversity Champion for Stonewall, the leading LGBT+ rights organisation. Applications for job-share, part-time and flexible working arrangements are welcomed and will be considered in line with business needs.

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