Postdoctoral Researcher

Contract: 36 months, fulltime

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Postdoctoral Researcher to join the newly starting Schreier group at the John Innes Centre, working on photosynthesis research and cell biology.

About the John Innes Centre:
The John Innes Centre is an independent, international centre of excellence in plant and microbial sciences. We nurture a creative, curiosity-led approach to answering fundamental questions in biosciences, and translate that knowledge into societal benefits. Our strategic vision  Healthy Plants, Healthy People, Healthy Planet, sets out our ambitious long-term goals for the game changing impact of our science globally. 

Our employees enjoy access to state-of-the-art technology and a diverse range of specialist training opportunities, including support for leadership and management. Click here to find out more about working at the John Innes Centre.

About the Schreier Group:
This post holder will be based in Tina Schreier’s group, in the Crop Genetics department of the John Innes Centre.
The Schreier group is a newly establishing research group (starting July 2026) focused on the cell biology of C4 photosynthesis. The group’s current research has several sub-objectives:

• Unravelling the cellular and molecular mechanisms that establish C4 bundle sheath architecture
• Assessing the contribution of individual cellular architectural features to building an effective carbon concentrating mechanism in C4 plants
• Understanding how bundle sheath cell architecture evolved across independent C4 evolutionary events

The role:
You will work as a part of the ERC-funded research grant CELL4 “Form for function: regulation of bundle sheath cell architecture for C4 photosynthesis” to identify novel molecular factors determining bundle sheath cell polarity in C4 grasses Sorghum and maize. The two main architectural traits of bundle sheath cells being explored is the polar placement of organelles towards one end of the cell, and the placement of plasmodesmata at the other.

Depending on interests and experience, the postholder can focus on either trait, or the links between both.

The successful candidate will therefore develop and apply a range of methods such as molecular biology, genetics/genome editing techniques and protein-protein interaction studies.

Additional information:
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 1006112. 

This role meets the criteria for a visa application, and we encourage all qualified candidates to apply. Where the successful applicant requires a visa, we will fund the costs for their visa and the Immigration Health Surcharge. Please contact the Human Resources Team if you have any questions regarding your application or visa options. 

We are an equal opportunities employer, actively supporting inclusivity and diversity.  As a Disability Confident organisation, we guarantee to offer an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for this vacancy. We are proud to hold a prestigious Gold Athena SWAN award in recognition of our inclusive culture, commitment and good practices towards advancing of gender equality. We offer an exciting, stimulating, diverse research environment and actively promote a family friendly workplace. The Institute is also a member of Stonewall’s Diversity Champions programme. 

The John Innes Centre is a registered charity (No. 223852) grant-aided by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council.

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