Job Description
Main Purpose of the Job
The main purpose of this job is the generation and maintenance of lines of Synechococcus elongatus transformed to harbor luciferase reporters for several genes of interest, to study entrainment in cyanobacteria to different photoperiods with Drs. Pirita Paajanen and Luísa Jabbur.
Key Relationships
Internal: Line manager, group members and, as necessary, other researchers, research support staff and students across the Institute. External: Collaborators
Main Activities & Responsibilities
PercentageGeneration and maintenance of lines of Synechococcus elongatus transformed to harbor luciferase reporters for several genes of interest. 50Ensuring proper book-keeping of both research performed and strains generated. Ensure research and record keeping is carried out in accordance with good practice, scientific Integrity and in compliance with local policies and any legal requirements 30Contributing to the writing of research proposals and manuscripts, including providing data. 10Work in an effective and collaborative manner with others at JIC conducting related and other projects, and with project collaborators. Continually strive for excellence, seeking out and acting on feedback and relevant learning and development opportunities 10As agreed with the line manager, any other duties commensurate with the nature of the post
Person Profile
Education & Qualifications
RequirementImportanceBSc or equivalent in Biology, Microbiology or related fieldsEssential
Specialist Knowledge & Skills
RequirementImportanceFamiliarity with microbiological techniques, particularly transformation and cloningEssentialExperience in working with bacteriaDesirable
Relevant Experience
RequirementImportanceDemonstrated ability to perform research EssentialExperience in keeping lab books and lab stockDesirablePreparing data / information for grant proposalsDesirable
Interpersonal & Communication Skills
RequirementImportanceGood interpersonal skills, with the ability to work as part of a teamEssentialDemonstrated ability to work independently, using initiative and applying problem solving skillsEssentialExcellent time management and organisational skillsEssentialAbility to prioritise to meet the demands of the groupEssentialExcellent communication skills, both written and oral, including the ability to present complex information with clarity EssentialAbility to collaborate with internal and external stakeholdersEssentialAbility to follow instructions/Standard Operating ProceduresEssentialPromotes and strives for continuous improvementEssential
Additional Requirements
RequirementImportancePromotes equality and values diversityEssentialWillingness to embrace the expected values and behaviours of all staff at the Institute, ensuring it is a great place to workEssentialAble to present a positive image of self and the Institute, promoting both the international reputation and public engagement aims of the Institute EssentialAbility to maintain confidentiality and security of information where appropriate EssentialWillingness to work outside standard working hours when required EssentialAttention to detailEssential
Who We Are
John Innes Centre
The John Innes Centre is an independent, international centre of excellence in plant and microbial genetics, carrying out fundamental and strategic research, to train scientists and making our findings available to society.
Our research makes use of a wide range of disciplines in the biological and chemical sciences including; cell biology, biochemistry, chemistry, genetics and molecular biology.
For more information about working at the John Innes Centre, please click here.
We are proud to hold a prestigious Athena SWAN Gold award, recognising the impact of our work in promoting gender equality in science. We are also a proud member of the Stonewall Diversity Champion’s programme, a founding signatory of the Tecnician Commitment and, as a Disability Confident employer, guarantee to offer an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the post.
The John Innes Centre is a registered charity (No. 223852), limited by guarantee (registered in England No. 511709).
Department
Molecular Microbiology
Our holistic approach integrates cellular physiology, molecular genetics (including functional genomics), biochemistry and structural biology. In the Department of Molecular Microbiology we study bacterial metabolism, physiology, gene regulation and development, and plant-bacterial interactions. Major themes of our work on Gram-negative bacteria are the molecular basis of signal transduction in response to various environmental signals and studies on the biology of ammonia channel proteins which are conserved in all domains of life.
The Department's comprehensive Streptomyces programme, studying antibiotic production, morphological differentiation and stress responses, is underpinned by the newly-acquired genome sequence of the model species S. coelicolor, and cutting-edge techniques in functional genomics. Another major research area is the Rhizobium-legume symbiosis where our studies range from bacterial quorum-sensing and plant-bacterial signalling interactions to the developmental responses of plants to their microbial symbionts.
The Department capitalises on the John Innes Centre's emerging strengths in functional genomics, structural biology and advanced cytological techniques, as well as exploiting novel links between research on bacterial and plant processes.
Group Details
This project is a collaboration between Dr. Pirita Paajanen, in Computational and Systems Biology, and Dr. Luísa Jabbur, in Molecular Microbiology. Dr. Paajanen focuses, among other things, on how circadian clocks integrate cyclic environmental cues such as light/temperature cycles to keep in sync with their environment, while Dr. Jabbur is interested in how cyanobacteria use their circadian clocks and the environmental light/dark cycles to anticipate the seasons.
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