Research Associate in Lettuce Gene Editing

Department
You will be a member of the Department of Biology, which is one of the UK's leading Biology departments, and renowned internationally for our research. This is combined with a commitment to teaching and outstanding student satisfaction, and we have been recognised consistently for our family-friendly policies and are proud of our Athena SWAN Gold Award. We aim to ensure that there is a supportive culture across all staff groups and levels. We promote good practice and a strong culture of equality in higher education. Further information can be found on our website (http://www.york.ac.uk/biology/research/).

Role
We are looking for a Postdoctoral Research Associate to join a project engineering gene regulatory network to design disease resistant crops. The project is a collaboration between Katherine Denby’s group at the University of York, Nicola Patron at the University of Cambridge and Richard Morris at the John Innes Centre. We have modelled and validated a gene regulatory network underlying the lettuce transcriptional defence response to fungal pathogens, which has identified several regulators of the defence response (both positive and negative) and their downstream target genes. We have refined the gene regulatory network and through computational modelling predicted how to re-wire the network to maximise plant resistance to infection. We are now implementing the re-wiring using gene editing and synthetic genetic controllers, testing in protoplasts and transgenic lettuce. This new PDRA will focus on improving the efficiency of lettuce transformation and gene editing for the generation of stably transformed plants.

The postdoctoral researcher will test multiple gene editing constructs to enhance the rate of editing in lettuce and work to optimise the efficiency of lettuce transformation and regeneration. The PDRA will work closely with other researchers in the Denby, Patron and Morris groups, lead on drafting manuscripts for publication, and assist in training other staff and undergraduates/postgraduates.

This is a fixed-term contract for up to 14 months.

Skills, Experience & Qualifications Needed

• PhD in a relevant biological science, or equivalent.
• Track record of research success.
• Good communication skills, ability to write up research work for publication.
• Experience with a range of molecular plant science techniques.
• Reliable and self-motivated; good interpersonal skills; able to work as part of a team.

Interview date: to be confirmed.

For informal enquiries: please contact Katherine Denby on katherine.denby@york.ac.uk.

The University strives to be diverse and inclusive – a place where we can ALL be ourselves.

We particularly encourage applications from people who identify as Black, Asian or from a Minority Ethnic background, who are underrepresented at the University.

We offer family friendly, flexible working arrangements, with forums and inclusive facilities to support our staff. #EqualityatYork

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