Background
To improve the sustainability of agriculture in the context of climate change, there is a need for a better understanding of root development and a need to develop tools for its engineering.
Root architectures are essential to the plant to allow efficient access to water and nutrients.
Engineering biology provides innovative solutions to engineer root development at a cell type-specific level and in response to environmental stressors.
This project aims to develop integrase circuits to engineer root architecture, such as deeper root architecture to reach deeper sources of water (Guiziou 2024). Some Arabidopsis lines have been generated for this project and will serve as a starting point for the Postdoctoral researcher project.
The role
The Postdoctoral Research Scientist project consists of engineering root architecture via cell fate-specific integrase switches.
This post requires plant biology expertise and/or engineering biology expertise. The post holder will receive training in engineering biology, microscopy, and data analysis as required. The post holder will have the possibility to bring their expertise and ideas to the project and to mentor undergraduate and graduate students.
The post holder will be provided with bespoke training from Earlham Institute’s research faculty, will fully engage in our research environment, and will have access to core skills training and all scientific facilities (e.g. biofoundry, microscopy facility, glasshouse).
The ideal candidate
We seek to appoint a well-trained, enthusiastic and self-motivated scientist with experience in plant biology and/or engineering biology. The post-holder should hold a PhD/DPhil in biology, bioengineering, or biochemistry before commencing this position.
Additional information
Salary on appointment will be within the range £36,540 to £40,600 per annum depending on qualifications and experience.
The position is available full-time with flexible working hours and part-time work possible, for a contract of 22 months.
Interviews will be held on 7th May 2026.
This role meets the criteria for a visa application, and we encourage all qualified candidates to apply.
As a Disability Confident employer, we guarantee to offer an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for this vacancy.
The closing date for applications will be 23 April 2026.
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