Research Associate

Updated: about 2 months ago
Location: Bristol, ENGLAND
Job Type: FullTime

The successful applicant will work on an HFSP funded project ‘Evolution at the plant apex: identifying steps enabling a major organismal radiation’. This is an interdisciplinary project involving collaboration with co-Is in Edinburgh (Sandy Hetherington), Ghent (Tom Beeckman) and Kyoto (Rieko Fujinami) and aiming to identify morphological, developmental and genetic changes during the origin and radiation of vascular plants. This role will involve developmental and genetic approaches in a moss and a lycophyte to identify genes involved in the origin of apical growth and, using preliminary data, aims to establish a lycophyte genetic model.

The successful applicant will work collaboratively with post-docs and PIs in 4 labs to deliver the experimental objectives outlined in the grant, prepare materials for publication, and communicate research findings through regular shared lab meetings, and oral and poster presentations. Experimental approaches will include Physcomitrium transgenesis and mutant screening, Selaginella plant growth, tissue culture and mutagenesis and analyses of CLAVATA receptor-like kinase function using techniques including in situ hybridisation.

Applicants should have a PhD in molecular biology (or be working towards one), experience with a range of developmental genetic model systems, and a background in evo-devo research or developmental biology. Applicants must have a versatile approach to their work, work effectively in a team and have excellent written and oral communication skills. The position requires some international travel for project meetings and may require short term research visits to collaborator labs and may require flexibility, for instance to complete growth time courses.

For informal enquiries please contact Jill Harrison ([email protected]).

Interviews are likely to be held on Monday 18th March 2024.


We recently launched our strategy  to 2030 tying together our mission, vision and values.


The University of Bristol aims to be a place where everyone feels able to be themselves and do their best in an inclusive working environment where all colleagues can thrive and reach their full potential. We want to attract, develop, and retain individuals with different experiences, backgrounds and perspectives – particularly people of colour, LGBT+ and disabled people - because diversity of people and ideas remains integral to our excellence as a global civic institution.


Available documents

The successful applicant will work on an HFSP funded project ‘Evolution at the plant apex: identifying steps enabling a major organismal radiation’. This is an interdisciplinary project involving collaboration with co-Is in Edinburgh (Sandy Hetherington), Ghent (Tom Beeckman) and Kyoto (Rieko Fujinami) and aiming to identify morphological, developmental and genetic changes during the origin and radiation of vascular plants. This role will involve developmental and genetic approaches in a moss and a lycophyte to identify genes involved in the origin of apical growth and, using preliminary data, aims to establish a lycophyte genetic model.

The successful applicant will work collaboratively with post-docs and PIs in 4 labs to deliver the experimental objectives outlined in the grant, prepare materials for publication, and communicate research findings through regular shared lab meetings, and oral and poster presentations. Experimental approaches will include Physcomitrium transgenesis and mutant screening, Selaginella plant growth, tissue culture and mutagenesis and analyses of CLAVATA receptor-like kinase function using techniques including in situ hybridisation.

Applicants should have a PhD in molecular biology (or be working towards one), experience with a range of developmental genetic model systems, and a background in evo-devo research or developmental biology. Applicants must have a versatile approach to their work, work effectively in a team and have excellent written and oral communication skills. The position requires some international travel for project meetings and may require short term research visits to collaborator labs and may require flexibility, for instance to complete growth time courses.

For informal enquiries please contact Jill Harrison ([email protected]).

Interviews are likely to be held on Monday 18th March 2024.


We recently launched our strategy  to 2030 tying together our mission, vision and values.


The University of Bristol aims to be a place where everyone feels able to be themselves and do their best in an inclusive working environment where all colleagues can thrive and reach their full potential. We want to attract, develop, and retain individuals with different experiences, backgrounds and perspectives – particularly people of colour, LGBT+ and disabled people - because diversity of people and ideas remains integral to our excellence as a global civic institution.


Available documents

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