A two-year post-doctoral scientist position (with the possibility of extension) is available at the James Hutton Institute funded by BBSRC sLola grant ‘Exchanges at the haustorial interface: cross-kingdom border control’ This sLola project is an exciting collaboration linking key UK groups to investigate the molecular dialogue between Phytophthora pathogens and their plant hosts. It is an ambitious and technically challenging programme and this post requires a high level of expertise. The JHI PDRA will become part of a team studying how Phytophthora secretes and delivers effector proteins into host cells. Tasks for this team will include endo- and extracellular vesicle enrichment and immunopurification; identifying vesicle-specific regulatory and cargo proteins and their interactors and co-cargo, as well as apoplastic interactors associated with extracellular vesicle marker proteins MDP1/2; and investigation of how effectors are taken into plant cells via endocytosis The team will conduct cell biological analysis and imaging of co-association of protein markers with RXLR effectors at vesicles and analysis of their potential roles in EV biogenesis. The team will also transform P. infestans to silence or knock-out key trafficking regulators, performing detailed cell biological and biochemical analyses on the transformants. To ensure the project success we require a postdoctoral scientist with the following skills and experience: Essential: Broad molecular biology skills and experience Excellent communication skills and an ability to work both independently and as part of a team Proteomic sample preparation and analysis of data generated High quality confocal microscopy Confocal imaging of infected plant material Experience with transformation of eukaryotic cells Desirable: Proximity labelling proteomics Isolation and purification of extracellular vesicles Transformation of Phytophthora species Electron microscopy Super-resolution microscopy Experience in gene silencing and editing The appointee must also have the ability/capacity to spend time working in partner laboratories (Cambridge and Imperial) to ensure the exchanges of methods, training and experience that are integral components of the project. What we Offer Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) - A confidential service available to support employees and their families with work or personal problems. Providing access to professional counsellors, psychologists, and work-life consultants available to help and support individuals in tackling all types of problems. Annual Leave – Generous entitlement up to 40.5 days a year, with carry over possible and guaranteed time-off for Christmas. Pension - Employer Contribution of 15% in a Personal Pension Plan and employee contribution flexibility. Self-managed hours and Flexible Working – option to manage and spread your working time in line with organisational needs to create a healthy work life balance. Additional Notes Please note the minimum salary threshold for a Skilled Worker Visa is currently £38,700.00. If the advertised salary for this posts falls below this threshold, we regret to advise that we may not be able to provide a Certificate of Sponsorship to a non-UK citizen for this role. Applicants who do not meet the conditions to be sponsored as per the UK governments page ( https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa/when-you-can-be-paid-less ) will need to demonstrate an alternative right to work. Our Commitment to Equality and Diversity We will not consider the use of 3rd party recruitment agencies for the sourcing of candidates for this position. The James Hutton Institute is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. The James Hutton Institute is a: Stonewall Diversity Champion; Athena SWAN Silver Status Holder; Disability Confident Committed Employer and a Living Wage Employer. The James Hutton Institute is Happy to Talk Flexible Working. The Company The James Hutton Institute combines strengths in crops, soils and land use and environmental research, and makes a major contribution to the understanding of key global issues, such as food, energy and environmental security, and developing and promoting effective technological and management solutions to these. James Hutton (1726 – 1797) was a leading figure of the Scottish Enlightenment, an eighteenth century golden age of intellectual and scientific achievements centred on Edinburgh. He is internationally regarded as the founder of modern geology and one of the first scientists to describe the Earth as a living system. His thinking on natural selection influenced Charles Darwin in developing his theory of evolution. Our Values We respect and value our people and the people we engage with We want to make a difference We strive to be excellent in everything we do We lead by example We foster creativity and innovation Documents