UNIVERSITY OF NOTTINGHAM
RECRUITMENT ROLE PROFILE FORM
Job Title:
Research Assistant - Wheat molecular genetics
School:
School of Biosciences, Division of Plant & Crop Sciences
Salary:
Salary will be within the range £25,769 - £28,143 per annum depending on
skills and experience
Level:
R&T4A TG
Contract Status:
This post is available and will be offered on a fixed-term contract for a period
of 1 year
Location:
School of Biosciences, Sutton Bonington Campus
The Purpose of the Role:
Technician position associated with BBSRC grant BB BBH012834/1; “Developing tools for
introgression into wheat where recombination is not possible” i.e. the mapping and isolation of
the genes responsible for the preferential transmission of chromosome 4Sl, from Ae. sharonensis,
through the gametes of wheat. The post is required to achieve the objectives as defined by grant
application, including the isolation of the genes responsible for the phenomenon of preferential
transmission.
Main Responsibilities:
Main Responsibilities
1.
2.
Carry out research, leading to
1) The determination of the genetic control of the phenomenon of preferential
transmission exhibited by chromosome 4Sl, from Aegilops sharonensis, in a
wheat background;
2) Isolation of the genes underlying preferential transmission.
Duties will involve large scale plant maintenance in glasshouses and the
exploitation of molecular genetics techniques (including sequencing and map
based cloning strategies in large genome crop species) as required by the
grant holder Professor Ian King and in collaboration with Dr Julie King and Dr
Surbhi Mehra.
Tasks:
1. Keeping meticulous experimental records
2. Contribute ideas and be involved with the longer term planning of the
project in consultation with Prof King and the other collaborators
3. Work safely and responsibly with regard to School rules
4. Contribute to group meetings.
General office duties as required, any other duties appropriate to the grade
and role of the post holder.
% time
per year
95%
5%
Knowledge, Skills, Qualifications & Experience
Essential
Qualifications/
HNC or BSc, in plant or crop science,
Education
including molecular biology.
Skills/Training
Molecular genetics, plant molecular
biology (DNA extraction and PCR),
basic bioinformatics (primer design and
BLAST)
Experience
1. Previous experience of large scale
plant maintenance, husbandry,
vernalisation.
2. Molecular biology laboratory
experience. Proven ability to problem
solve and to provide innovative
solutions.
3. Ability to work effectively as part of
a team or independently as required
4. Willingness to learn new
experimental/intellectual techniques
5. Motivation and commitment
6. Good time management skills,
ability to prioritise and meet deadlines
7. Able to communicate effectively with
supervisors and collaborators
Desirable
Degree subject matter
associated with genetics,
molecular biology, plant
cytogenetics
Advanced understanding and
direct experimental experience
of plant molecular genetics,
plant cytogenetics, advanced
bioinformatics (sequence
alignments)
1. Experience of working in the
area of plant classical/molecular
genetics
2. Computer skills, including
manipulation of DNA sequence
information, biology-database
searching, etc.
Decision Making
i) taken independently by the role holder;
1. Have day to day responsibility for the conduct and satisfactory progress of the research
2. Keep meticulous experimental records
3. Work safely and responsibly with regard to School rules
ii) taken in collaboration with others;
1. Communicate with the other collaborators and attend meetings with them as required
2. Contribute ideas and be involved with the longer term planning of the project in consultation
with Prof King, Dr Julie King and Dr Surbhi Mehra.
3. Contribute to group meetings.
iii) referred to the appropriate line manager (Surbhi Mehra) by the role holder.
1. Overall management and direction of research funded by the grant
2. Overall management of research direction of associated technical staff
Scope of the Role
Research environment:
This post is funded as part of BBSRC grant BB BBH012834/1; “Developing tools for introgression
into wheat where recombination is not possible” i.e. the mapping and isolation of the genes
responsible for the preferential transmission of chromosome 4Sl, from Ae. sharonensis, through
the gametes of wheat. This grant, which was awarded to Professor Ian King, and in collaboration
with Dr Julie King both in the Division of Plant and Crop Sciences at the University of Nottingham,
is for five years. Over the first 3.5 years of the grant, significant research has been carried out by
Dr Surbhi Mehra, who has now moved to the wheat/alien introgression programme. The roleholder will continue any analysis pending from Dr Mehra’s research as well as carry out new
experiments under her supervision along-with Prof. Ian king and Dr. Julie King until the
completion of the grant.
The person appointed will join an expanding research group led by Professor Ian King and Dr Julie
King focussed on the introduction of genetic variation into wheat and grass from their distant
relatives. They will work in the state-of-the-art Plant Sciences Laboratory at the University of
Nottingham’s Sutton Bonington Campus and make use of the Universities extensive glasshouse
facilities.
Informal enquiries may be addressed to Dr Surbhi Mehra, Email: surbhi.mehra@nottingham.ac.uk.
Please note that applications sent directly to this Email address will not be accepted.
Some relevant research carried out in the host lab related to this post:
1)
King. J., Armstead, I.P., Donnison, S.I., Roberts, L.A., Harper, J.A., Skøt, K., Elborough, K.,
King, I.P. (2007). Comparative analyses between Lolium/Festuca introgression lines and rice
reveal the major fraction of functional annotated gene models are located in recombination
poor/very poor regions of the genome. Genetics 177: 597-606
2)
King, I.P. and Laurie, D.A. (1993). Chromosome damage in early embryo and endosperm
development in crosses involving the preferentially transmitted 4S1 chromosome of Aegilops
sharonensis. Heredity 70: 52-59.
3)
King, I.P., Purdie, K.A., Miller, T.E., Law, C.N. and Rogers, W.J. (1992). Exploitation of
chromosome 4Sl from Aegilops sharonensis for the production of stable 44 chromosome
wheat. Heredity 69: 160-165.
4)
King, I.P., Koebner, R.M.D., Reader, S.M. and Miller, T.E. (1991). Induction of a mutation in
the male fertility gene of the preferentially transmitted Aegilops sharonensis chromosome and
its application for hybrid wheat production. Euphytica 54: 33-39.
5)
King, I.P., Miller, T.E. and Koebner, R.M.D. (1991). Determination of the transmission
frequency of chromosome 4Sl of Aegilops sharonensis in a range of wheat genetic
backgrounds. Theor. Appl. Genet. 81: 519-523.
6)
King, I.P., Koebner, R.M.D., Schlegel, R., Reader, S.M., Miller, T.E. and Law, C.N. (1991).
Exploitation of a preferentially transmitted chromosome from Aegilops sharonensis for the
elimination of segregation for height in semi-dwarf bread wheat varieties. Genome 34: 944949.