We are looking for creative, entrepreneurial, collaborative, and self-motivated candidates capable of independent research, who will contribute to a multi-disciplinary, international team. The successful applicant will have significant responsibility and autonomy for carrying out the experimental challenges in the project. The main activities will involve bioinformatics analysis of NGS data (predominantly RNA-seq), genetic mapping, plant phenotyping with various pathogens and high-throughput screening in protoplasts.

Candidate profile

Qualifications

• Essential:
  • PhD degree in relevant field

Skills

• Essential
  • extensive skills in various molecular biology techniques;
  • strong skills in application of various bioinformatic tools;
  • excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to work as part of a team;
  • excellent critical thinking, analytical and problem-solving skills;
  • excellent writing and communication skills with capacity for communication with a diverse range of partners and stakeholders;
  • excellent time management and organisational skills;
  • ability to work independently, managing individual projects through to completion.
• Desirable
  • knowledge of Golden Gate cloning system;
  • experience with command line shell, including use of scripting to automate tasks;
  • experience with use of statistics;
  • knowledge of R;

Experience

• Essential
  • experience with Illumina, PacBio and/or Oxford Nanopore data generation and analysis;
  • experience with RNA-seq analysis, de novo assembly, SNP calling;
  • experience in working with plants and plant pathogens (preferably obligate biothrops);
  • experience with map-based cloning;
  • demonstrated ability to develop novel ideas;

• Desirable
  • experience in data visualization.

Additional essential requirements:

• ability to maintain confidentiality and security of information where appropriate;
• ability to undertake occasional travel (national and international) related to collaborations, conferences and seminars;
• adherence to the organization’s core values of trust, accountability, creativity, and excellence.

The salary will be within the UEA Research and Analogous Staff Grade 7 scale at between £37,099 and £44,414 pa; however, the appointment level will reflect qualifications, skills, knowledge, and achievements.

The position is available for two years in the first instance, with possibility for extension.

2Blades is USA based charitable organization that advances solutions to crop losses by merging cutting-edge scientific discovery with delivery in the field, contributing to a more resilient, sustainable, and productive global food supply. 2Blades establishes and manages development programs addressing significant unsolved crop disease problems and delivers outcomes to downstream implementation partners. It conducts these programs in its own laboratories and in collaboration with leading research institutions around the world.

The Sainsbury Laboratory (TSL) is a world leader in plant and microbial science that is dedicated to making fundamental discoveries in the science of plant-microbe interactions. TSL has expanded its scientific mission not only to continue providing fundamental biological insights into plant-pathogen interactions, but also to deliver novel, genomics-based solutions that will significantly reduce losses from major crop diseases, especially in developing countries.

We offer 30 days annual leave, a generous pension scheme and the opportunity to develop skills and knowledge. We are located on an attractive campus offering cultural and recreational activities. We are committed to creating and promoting a diverse and inclusive workforce and we provide a supportive working environment for all colleagues.

If you wish to discuss this vacancy, please contact Kim Wood kim.wood@tsl.ac.uk

Applicants should provide a CV, including the names and contact details of two or more referees, and a covering letter of no more than one page addressing the selection criteria.