Research Associate (Fixed Term)

The Department of Plant Sciences is seeking to appoint a post-doctoral Research Associate to contribute to the development of disease-resistant crops. The successful candidate will join the Patron Lab to work on a collaborative project with the Morris Lab (John Innes Centre), and the Denby Lab (University of York). This multidisciplinary team will combine their expertise in systems biology, modelling, and synthetic biology to engineer resistance to broad host-range fungal pathogens in lettuce. More information about the lab is available at patronlab.org.

The candidate will perform experimental work to characterise interactions between key regulators of pathogen responses to support the development and validation of a dynamic network model of lettuce transcriptional responses to fungal pathogens. They will also design and build synthetic genetic controllers and gene editing constructs, testing their effects on gene expression and pathogen resistance. We provide a supportive research environment with an emphasis on personal development, research excellence, integrity, and respect.

The successful candidate must have a PhD in plant molecular biology and a thorough understanding of gene expression, gene regulatory networks and approaches used in their study. In addition, applicants must be proficient in the design and construction of constructs for engineering plants and well as experience in plant transient expression assays (e.g., production and transfection of plant protoplasts) and/or the production and analysis of transgenic or edited plants. They must be experienced in the collection of quantitative data including statistical analyses.

Funding is available for up to 2 years with an initial end date of 13-Feb-2026. The full 2 year position is dependent on research grant extension once the successful applicant is in post.

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available until 13 February 2026 in the first instance.

To apply online for this vacancy and to view further information about the role, please click the apply buton above.

Please notice that if you have not received any news from us 1 month after the closing date you should consider that on this occasion your application has not been successful.

Please quote reference PD40475 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.