Postdoctoral Research Scientist in Molecular Biology

We are seeking to appoint a Postdoctoral Research Scientist in Molecular Biology to work on synthetic genome DNA assembly in the University of Oxford.

This is an exciting opportunity arising from a major new grant of £6.7 million from the Advanced Research and Invention Agency (ARIA) – a UK government funding agency. You will work with Professor Chris O'Callaghan and Dr Nathali Flores-Fernandez on further development and application of our DNA assembly technology to create synthetic organelle genomes. This synthetic biology project aims to move rapidly to translation with real-world testing of synthetic chloroplast genomes in relevant crop plants including potato (Solanum tuberosum) and wheat (Triticum aestivum) with Professors Steve Kelly and Francesco Licausi. Synthetic genomes will incorporate multiple variants that have arisen independently in nature and have potential to improve desirable properties, such as resistance to disease and environmental/ climate stress. This is a great opportunity to develop skills in state-of-the-art techniques while working on a project with major potential for high impact.

Your primary role will be to assist in planning and to carry out experiments and analyse the results within Professor Chris O’Callaghan’s laboratory (https://www.chg.ox.ac.uk/research/research-groups/ocallaghan-group-1). This will involve molecular biology and biochemistry to undertake DNA assembly including generating constructs and testing new approaches. This is a translational project to further develop and apply technology that we have invented to assemble large DNA molecules of any sequence with ease. Using this technology, it is possible to rapidly and simply assemble DNA molecules up to hundreds of thousands of base-pairs in length. We have progressively improved and simplified this technology which uses recombinant DNA methylases as published in PubMed link and PubMed link. There may also be some expression and purification of recombinant enzymes such as methylases. There is also scope for some bioinformatic/ computational analysis but this is primarily a laboratory-based post. The laboratory is well equipped for this work and for testing the function of assembled DNA molecules. The project will enjoy a high level of funding and if successful there is potential for a further 3-year phase of funding to be awarded. The project collaborators include Professor Francesco Licausi and Professor Steve Kelly.

You will be responsible for managing your own academic research and administrative activities, adapting existing and developing new scientific techniques and experimental protocols.

It is essential that you hold a PhD/DPhil (or be close to completion) in a relevant discipline such as molecular/synthetic biology, biochemistry, biophysics, biological chemistry, biotechnology or enzymology (or related subject). You will also have proven experience and confidence in any of these disciplines. You will have excellent organisational skills including data management and record keeping, and have excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to write for publications, present research proposals and results, and represent the research group at meetings.

Applications for this vacancy should be made online and you will need to upload a supporting statement and CV. Your supporting statement must explain how you meet each of the selection criteria for the post using examples of your skills and experience. Please restrict your documentation to your CV and supporting statement only. Any other documents will be requested at a later date.  

Informal enquiries should be addressed to Prof Chris O’Callaghan (chris.ocallaghan@ndm.ox.ac.uk).

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