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Post Doctoral Research Scientist in Plant Molecular Biology

Job details
Posting date: 08 August 2025
Salary: £31,350 per year, pro rata
Hours: Full time
Closing date: 07 September 2025
Location: Harpenden, Hertfordshire
Remote working: On-site only
Company: Rothamsted Research
Job type: Contract
Job reference: 811

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Summary

Do you have an interest in plant biology, molecular biology and genomics?

Looking for a project with high potential for scientific discovery?

Do you have experience in both wet lab techniques and bioinformatics?

The laboratory of Dr Christophe Lambing (Rothamsted Research) is looking for a postdoc to work on a two-year funded project to study meiosis in Arabidopsis.

Our main research aims to understand the process of meiotic recombination and how it is regulated during reproductive development. During meiosis, the genome undergoes 100s of programmed-DNA double strand breaks which are processed by inter-homologue recombination. This repair pathway is unique to germ cells and aids the exchange of genetic information between chromosomes. Meiotic recombination is a driving force for genome evolution, but its molecular mechanism remains only in part understood.

The aim of this project is to decipher the molecular pathway leading to germ cell differentiation in the plant model Arabidopsis. We will look to understand how it influences meiotic recombination. A mutant line is readily available for gene functional characterisation and a multi-omics approach will be used to identify novel candidate genes and answer this long-standing question in the field. This project has high potential for scientific discovery. A multi-omics approach will be used to identify novel candidate genes and answer this long-standing question in the field.

Previous experience in at least some techniques are highly recommended in:

RNA-sequencing,
ChIP-sequencing,
Flow cytometry and,
Microscopy.
You will perform next generation sequencing experiments, molecular techniques, super-resolution microscopy, presentation of data at conferences and writing manuscripts for publication. You will advance the project and contribute to the development of novel molecular techniques.

We are looking for an eager and talented person to join a dynamic group. You will hold, or will be close to obtaining, a PhD in Biology and have a strong track record of research excellence. You are expected to work effectively and on your own initiative within a team. You need to be eager to learn new skills and develop new techniques to push the limits of science.

This full-time position has a starting salary of £31,350 per annum.

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