THE UNIVERSITY OF NOTTINGHAM
Recruitment Role Profile Form
Job Title:
Research Fellow
School/Department:
School of Biosciences, Division of Plant & Crop Sciences
Salary:
£25,769 - £37,768 (£28,982 minimum with relevant PhD) per
annum, depending on skills and experience. Salary progression
beyond this scale is subject to performance.
Job Family and Level: R&T Research Level 4 (4 CTG)
Contract Status:
Fixed Term contract until Dec 2018
Hours of Work:
Full Time
Location:
Sutton Bonington Campus; Fieldwork and visits to Collaborators in
China
Reporting to:
Professor Zoe Wilson
Purpose of the New Role:
A new postdoctoral researcher is required to start immediately for a period of 3.0 yrs to
support a new project funded by the BBSRC-Newton Rice Research Programme entitled
“Maintaining rice reproduction under high temperature stress:- identifying mechanisms and
germplasm to increase crop resilience.” This is a collaborative programme between The
University of Nottingham; The Biotechnology Research Institute, Chinese Academy of
Agricultural Sciences and Shanghai Jiao Tong University.
The role will involve (1) Identification of rice germplasm with enhanced resilience to high
temperature stress during pollen development, for utilisation in future breeding programmes.
This will involve controlled environment screens, but will also include some field work in China.
(2) Identification of traits and specific loci associated with resilience to reproductive
temperature stress, and the subsequent characterisation of the molecular mechanisms linked
to these traits. (3) Data analysis and report writing. The post holder will be expected to liaise
and co-ordinate the research in liaison with the project stakeholders who are academics across
the School & University and with the International partners. This challenging and multidisciplinary role will be suited to someone with expertise in molecular plant reproductive
biology, with interests in identification and deployment of traits of importance for crop
breeding and yield enhancement, who has the confidence and experience to deal with a
diversity of stakeholders.
Main Responsibilities
1.
Experimental screening of rice materials to use Natural Variation in the
populations to identify germplasm and traits associated with temperature
resilience during reproduction. This will be conducted via field-based screens in
% time
per year
15%
2
3.
4.
5.
6.
China and controlled environment conditions in Nottingham.
GWAS and QTL analysis to identify traits for temperature resilience during
plant reproduction. This will involve management of large datasets, statistical
analysis and data presentation to project partners and funders, and to external
groups at conferences.
Molecular analysis of fertility traits associated with stress resilience; detailed
analysis of heat resilience fertility traits under high temperature stress. This
will involve molecular characterisation of the expression changes and cellular
impacts occurring during reproductive stress treatments, focusing on the
development of pollen and in particular the role of the anther tapetum. This
work will also include molecular cloning and transformation.
Image analysis of floral materials, using confocal and fluorescent microscopy
and also Light and Electron microscopy.
Keeping accurate records of work and presenting this to supervisors/group
members. Writing papers for peer-reviewed journals, reports for project
team/funders.
Helping managing activities in laboratory, including supervision of technical
staff and students.
5%
50%
10%
10%
10%
Knowledge, Skills, Qualifications & Experience
Qualifications/
Education
Skills/Training
Experience
Essential
PhD in Biology, Plant Sciences, Molecular
Genetics.
OR
Applicants who are in the final stages
of thesis preparation for a PhD award
within the areas indicated above.
Desirable
Expertise in Plant Molecular Biology
and Genetics, and in particular Plant
reproduction.
Excellent written and oral communication
skills, with an ability to communicate on all
levels, across many areas, to diverse
stakeholders.
Expertise in microscopy – particularly
fluorescent and confocal microscopy.
Excellent experimental skills and recordkeeping.
Experience with GWAS and QTL
analysis, databases and statistical
analysis of large datasets.
Computer literate in Word, PowerPoint,
Excel in the use of standard computing
tools for molecular biology.
Experience of effectively working in a team.
Proven ability of being able to keep
accurate
records
and
effectively
communicate research results to other
team members and external audiences.
Ability to speak Chinese at a basic
level.
Expertise in expression analysis.
Experience of field screening of floral
traits.
Published papers in the field of plant
reproduction.
Presented
scientific
conferences.
Statutory/Legal
papers
Knowledge of Health & Safety
requirements
within
laboratory,
controlled plant-growth, and field
environments.
Decision Making
i)
taken independently by the role holder
1. To have day-to-day responsibility for the conduct, and satisfactory progress, of the
research.
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2. Day to day planning of work, design if experiments. Data collection and analysis of
data.
3. To interact on a regular basis with technical specialists responsible for laboratory and
growth-room activities and other lab members relevant to this project (minimum
weekly).
4. To keep meticulous experimental records.
5. To maintain up-to-date understanding of the current relevant literature.
6. To work safely and responsibly with regard to School rules.
7. To work within the remit of the collaboration agreement between all the project
partners.
ii)
iii)
taken in collaboration with others
1. To contribute to line manager’s plans for managing the day-to-day activities of technical
staff and students associated with the project.
2. To communicate with all project partners and sponsors, and to attend meetings with
them as required.
3. To contribute ideas and be involved with the longer term planning of the project in
consultation with the PI and CIs from Nottingham, and external partners.
4. To attend and present results at regular dissemination meetings organised by the
funders.
5. To produce a final report and papers relating to research activities.
referred to the appropriate line manager (please name) by the role holder
1. Overall management and direction of the research programme funded by the grant.
Additional Information
We would be willing to accept someone to the post who is in the final stages of thesis at level
R&T 4 RCTG; when they have been awarded their PhD they would go onto the R&T 4 scale.
Please quote ref: SCI/393215.
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