Research Fellow (Fixed term)

Applications are invited for a Research Fellow to work on a UKRI Frontiers project to discover novel components involved in sensing and responding to compacted soil conditions in the laboratory of Dr Bipin Pandey at the Sutton Bonington Campus, University of Nottingham, UK.

Rice is one of the most important cereal crops feeding almost two third of global population nevertheless, we need to increase 60% food production to feed the global populating in 2050. To achieve this staggering food production, we urgently need to find solutions to enhance crop production but with less input and more eco-friendly. Roots are the prime site of water and nutrient uptake. However, deeper root growth is challenged by compacted soil environment.

A key focus of this new role is to understand how root tips sense and respond to compacted soil environment. The high-level objective of the research is to discover key signals, sensing mechanisms and root cell biophysical responses in compacted soil. We seek highly motivated candidates with a PhD in plant biology/plant molecular biology/plant biotechnology or related biological science.  The successful candidate will possess demonstrable laboratory skills including analyzing rice root responses in abiotic stresses and molecular biology, gene editing and rice root cell membrane lipid profiling.  They will also have a strong background in root biology, abiotic stresses, and confocal imaging of reporters. together with a relevant publication record in root biology, low phosphate stress, relevant to their career stage. Data handling skills (RNA seq. data, gene expression analysis, metabolomics and ionomics) and experience in biochemistry and protein expression and purification are desirable.

This post offers a unique opportunity to work using advance genomics, soil biophysics, mechanosensing and use of state-of-the-art technologies such as X-ray Computed Tomography imaging. 

This full-time post (36.25 hours/week) is available immediately and will be offered on a fixed term contract, for three years. Job share arrangements may be considered.

For more information on our lab activities please visit: https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/biosciences/people/bipin.pandey

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

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