Research Assistant

Advert

Research Assistant
Cardiff School of Biosciences

To optimise the nutritional value of forage grass, it needs to be bred to provide the rumen microflora with the appropriate balance of sugars and amino acids. However, climate change is likely to increase stress on the leaves before they are ingested. This affects the response of the leaf cells in the rumen. In a BBSRC-funded project we have shown that pre-harvest stress affects grass gene expression under rumen conditions. We have identified a number of genes that may be important in changing grass nutritional value, and have also shown that the stress affects the profile of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). In this 4 month post we need a research assistant to:
1) Use real time PCR to verify changes in expression in selected genes to assess their value as markers for forage grass breeding
2) Analyse VOCs at harvest and following exposure to rumen conditions to assess if VOCs can act as useful markers for assessing plant stress responses pre-harvest.

The Research Assistant will join the group at Cardiff University of Dr Carsten Muller, Dr Sarah Christofides and Prof Hilary Rogers, and work closely with Prof Alison Kingston Smith at IBERS Aberystwyth and Germinal Holdings Ltd., a plant breeding company. We anticipate the data generated will be critical for development of a new grant application and contribute to high quality publications. 

The successful candidate will require a degree in a relevant discipline, or equivalent experience, knowledge of research methods and techniques within the specialist field of gene expression analysis through handing RNA samples and proven ability to analyse complex information and summarise appropriately
This position is full-time, 35 hours per week and fixed term from 1st July 2022 until 31st October 2022 (4 months in total) . 

Secondment opportunity welcome - please note for Cardiff University members of staff interested in this post on a secondment basis, permission will need to be sought from your current Line Manager before applying.

Salary: £27,924 - £32,344 per annum, pro-rata (Grade 5).
Please note that it is not expected that we will appoint above grade 5.23, currently £27,924 per annum, pro-rata. 

Date advert posted: Friday, 29 April 2022

Closing date: Friday, 13 May 2022

Cardiff University is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and to creating an inclusive working environment. We believe this can be achieved through attracting, developing, and retaining a diverse range of staff from many different backgrounds.  We therefore welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of sex, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, trans identity, relationship status, religion or belief, caring responsibilities, or age.  In supporting our employees to achieve a balance between their work and their personal lives, we will also consider proposals for flexible working or job share arrangements.

“Cardiff University is a signatory to the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA), which means that in hiring and promotion decisions we will evaluate applicants on the quality of their research, not publication metrics or the identity of the journal in which the research is published. More information is available at: https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/research/our-research-environment/integrity-and-ethics/responsible-research-assessment”  

Job Description

To conduct research and carry out supporting work that helps lead to the publishing of high-quality research relating to understanding plant responses to stress in support of forage breeding for improved ruminant digestion in collaboration with IBERS Aberystwyth and Germinal Holdings Ltd, a plant breeding company 

Main Duties and Responsibilities 
* To undertake research, e.g. by planning, preparing, setting up, conducting and recording the outcome of experiments
* Actively participate within the research group, communicating and presenting research at meetings, through publications and other recognised avenues as appropriate, ensuring information is communicated to internal and external partners
* To contribute and support research publications and presentations as required
* To contribute and support research funding bids as required
* To analyse and communicate complex ideas, concepts and data using appropriate methods and packages
* To resolve issues and support colleagues in devising procedures required to ensure accurate and timely reporting
* To generate research output and contribute to the development of independent and original ideas as appropriate
* To provide support in research activities for undergraduate courses and research programmes and provide guidance to other members of staff within the research team
* To maintain and update area of specialist knowledge, researching and critically appraising relevant literature within the area.

Other
* To participate in School administration and activities to promote the School and its work to the wider University and the outside world
* To undergo personal and professional development that is appropriate to and which will enhance performance.
* To ensure that an understanding of the importance of confidentiality is applied when undertaking all duties
* To abide by the University policies on Health and Safety and Equality and Diversity
* Any other duties not included above, but consistent with the role.

Person Specification

IMPORTANT NOTE TO CANDIDATES: It is the University’s policy to use the person specification as a key tool for short-listing and we only invite candidates to interview who clearly evidence that they meet (or partially meet) each of the essential criteria. During the application process you will be asked to attach a supporting statement. This statement must outline how you meet the criteria below and we recommended formatting this by using each criteria as a sub-heading and providing your relevant experience/evidence below each sub-heading. It is crucial that you save your supporting statement with the vacancy number (eg. 1234BR) in the filename as failure to do so may result in it being omitted from your application.
Essential Criteria

Qualifications and Education
1. A degree in a relevant discipline, or equivalent experience

Knowledge, Skills and Experience
2. Knowledge of research methods and techniques within the specialist field of gene expression analysis through handing RNA samples
3. Proven ability to analyse complex information and summarise appropriately
4. Knowledge and understanding of competitive research funding to be able to develop applications to funding bodies

Communication and Team Working
5. Proven communication skills, including presentation to various audiences
6. Excellent organisational and team-working skills

Other
7. Proven ability to demonstrate creativity, innovation and teamworking within work
8. Willingness to work with samples containing microbial and with rumen fluid

Desirable Criteria

1. Postgraduate degree at Masters or PhD level (or nearing completion / submission) in a related subject area or relevant industrial experience
2. Proven ability to work without close supervision
3. Experience of working with plant material
4. Experience of real time PCR
5. Experience with the analysis of volatile organic compounds
6. An interest/experience in plant biology, plant stress responses and/or forage crop breeding

Job Category

Academic - Research