Research Associate/Fellow (fixed term)

A Research Associate/Fellow is required to undertake research as part of a three-year Leverhulme-funded grant investigating auxin response in duckweed awarded to the Bishopp, Farcot and Bhosale groups. Duckweeds represent an amazing family of aquatic monocotyledonous plants. All duckweed species have a highly simplified body plan lacking many features associated with angiosperms, such as branching of the shoot and root apex, and organs, such as root hairs. The most derived species lack roots completely. This progressive loss of anatomical complexity is accompanied by a significant reduction in the number of auxin signalling components, placing duckweeds intermediate between Arabidopsis and Marchantia in terms of signalling complexity. We therefore see that this project sits at nexus between plant evolutionary development (evo-devo) and systems biology.

The successful candidate will work alongside a mathematical modeller and a bioinformatician to uncover how specific combinations of auxin signalling components mediate distinct responses. The candidate will employ genetic, molecular, and physiological approaches in conjunction with omics taking the lead on the experimental parts of this project. This exciting project represents an exciting new direction in duckweed research building on our recent work on root loss (Ware et al., 2023 Current Biology) and taking it in a more systems biology direction.

Candidates must have, or be close to completion of, a PhD in Plant Biology/Molecular Biology/Biochemistry/Genetics or related biological science.

The post is offered on a fixed-term contract, starting from 03 June 2024 to 02 June 2027. Hours of work are full time (36.25 hours per week). Job share arrangements may be considered. 

Informal enquiries may be addressed to Anthony Bishopp: [email protected] . Please note that applications sent directly to this email address will not be accepted.

Requests for secondment from internal candidates may be considered on the basis that prior agreement has been sought from both your current line manager and the manager of your substantive post, if you are already undertaking a secondment role.

Further details:

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