Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 2 years in the first instance.
Applications are invited for a post-doctoral research associate in Plant immunity to work with Dr Lida Derevnina at the Crop Science Centre, starting between 1 January and 1 April 2023.
The Crop Science Centre which opened in October 2020 benefits from the diverse skills and expertise of the University of Cambridge and NIAB, providing an environment for research excellence in crops, with the drive and expertise for scientific translation to address real-world problems.
Plants possess complex immune receptor networks to combat infections from diverse pathogens and pests. Our conceptual and mechanistic understanding of immune receptor networks has been primarily based on studies in model organisms. Knowledge of the diversity and function of these networks in and across economically important crop plants is limited. In this project, we wish to define, validate, and characterise the immune receptor network of sweet potato, and determine the role the network plays in mediating immunity to devastating diseases caused by plant parasitic nematodes. The projected work will involve computational analysis combined with functional in planta assays in Nicotiana benthamiana.
Applicants must have a strong background in bioinformatics, genomics and be a proficient in at least one programming languages, eg python and R. A sound knowledge of plant-pathogen interactions, molecular biology techniques and experience working with nematodes are hugely advantageous.
We welcome candidates with a good track record in research and/or impact, who are excited to join a newly established research group that aims to use foundational understanding of plant-pathogen interactions to deliver sustainable solutions for control in agriculture.
Informal enquiries are welcomed and should be directed to Dr Lida Derevnina (ld645@cam.ac.uk)
As a signatory of the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment, the University of Cambridge does not use journal level metrics when assessing the quality of research outputs. Applicants should not include journal level metrics, such as the Journal Impact Factor, anywhere in their application materials. Applicants should highlight a select subset of what they consider to be their most important research outputs and provide a brief narrative account of their significance.
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If you have not received any response 1 month after the closing date you should consider your application to be unsuccessful.
Please quote reference PD33596 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.
The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.
The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.
Further information
Closing date: 6 November 2022