Research Assistant - Plant Developmental Plasticity (Fixed Term)

Applications are invited for a Research Assistant position in the group of Dr Alexander Jones at the Sainsbury Laboratory, Cambridge University.

The cellular dynamics of the plant hormones underpin all aspects of plant development and environmental responses. Targeted perturbations of phytohormones such as abscisic acid and auxin have great potential to reprogram plant development. The project involves two aims: (1) discovery of how plant hormones respond to environmental stresses that are expected in the more extreme climates of the future and (2) redesigning root development via fine-scale perturbations of hormone dynamics with minimal off-target effects. The Jones group at SLCU has recently engineered a series of high-resolution FRET biosensors to track such dynamics for gibberellin, abscisic acid and auxin in living plants.

The Jones group combines imaging of FRET biosensors with high-resolution genetic and biochemical perturbations to understand phytohormone cellular dynamics. This post will involve use of existing plants expressing biosensors to illuminate previously undetectable cellular and subcellular hormone patterns in vivo. The project's outcomes will be a mechanistic understanding of how and why hormones are modulated in space and time, particularly abscisic acid under water stresses. The post will also involve application of this understanding to reprogram root developmental plasticity.

For general information, please see a recent talk by Dr. Jones on YouTube (from 1hr30min to 2hrs of the video, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iL_L-mJ7KaE&list=PLoARHFj_EDBUWi7F6lLrY-3rseZfF1HX3) and consult the Jones team website (https://www.slcu.cam.ac.uk/research/jones-group).

Applicants must have or be close to obtaining a degree in Plant Biology, Biochemistry, Systems Biology, Genetics, or related field. Foundations in molecular biology and confocal microscopy are required, alongside a willingness and ability to learn and work with new methodologies. We particularly welcome candidates with advanced knowledge of and a proven track record in hormone biology or root development. Proficiency in plant developmental biology generally, molecular cloning, synthetic biology, systems biology, computational modelling, and image analysis would also be valuable to the role.

The successful applicant will be an excellent team player, highly solution-orientated and self-motivated. Excellent interpersonal skills are essential, alongside the ability to work independently and with others, with a high degree of accuracy including outstanding record keeping. The Jones group is looking for a person keen to work in a highly collaborative set-up and enthusiastic to join our diverse and interdisciplinary team. Solid communication skills are required to interact with group members and other researchers at SLCU with different scientific backgrounds. Candidates should also demonstrate a history of science communication (e.g. presentations, outreach activities, teaching).

The Laboratory provides a welcoming and collaborative environment with a wide-range of family-friendly benefits and development opportunities. More about the Sainsbury Laboratory and details of what the University offers to employees, can be found at: http://www.slcu.cam.ac.uk/.

Scientific enquiries apart from the formal application should be directed to Dr Jones at alexander.jones@slcu.cam.ac.uk.

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 1 year in the first instance.

To apply online for this vacancy and to view further information about the role, please click the 'Apply' button above. 

For questions regarding the application process, please email HR@slcu.cam.ac.uk

Please quote PT46072 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

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