Job Description

Position Details

School of Biosciences


Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK


Full time starting salary is normally in the range 36,130 to 45,413 with potential progression once in post to 48,149


Grade: 7


Full Time, Fixed Term contract up to September 2027


Closing date: 31st July 2025

Background

A Postdoctoral Research Fellow position is available within the Seed Revolution Lab in the School of Biosciences at the University of Birmingham. The Research Fellow will work as part of the Royal Society-funded project " Fern seed found? Testing a new hypothesis for the origin of seed gene networks". This project aims to use reverse genetics, cross-species complementation and single cell next-generation sequencing approaches to investigate how the gene networks that regulate seed development first evolved from a seedless vascular plant. Specifically, this project will test whether seed gene networks are conserved with those of the gametophyte egg-chamber (archegonium) the fern Ceratopteris richardii .


This position will be based in the Plant Science & Food Security theme within the School of Biosciences on the University of Birmingham Edgbaston Campus. The School is part of the College of Life and Environmental Sciences.

Role Summary

Working with Dr Andrew Plackett, this position offers the opportunity for the Research Fellow to contribute to three research goals:


Test if the function of candidate seed developmental regulators is conserved in the fern archegonium through the creation and analysis of Ceratopteristransgenic lines. Resolve the relationship between gene networks of individual fern archegonium and seed tissues through single-cell RNA-seq analysis of the Ceratopterisarchegonium. Test whether fern genes with regulatory functions in the archegonium can successfully predict previously-unknown regulators of seed development through functional genetic analysis of conserved, uncharacterised genes in the model seed plant Arabidopsis thaliana.
The Postdoctoral Research Fellow will:


Conduct a programme of research towards achieving one or more these goals. This will include contributing to the design of experiments, growth of the necessary plant material, undertaking lab-based experimental work and the analysis and interpretation of experimental results. Contribute to publications arising from their research.

Main Duties

The Postdoctoral Research Fellow will be expected to:


Develop research objectives and proposals for own or joint research, with assistance of a mentor if required. This will include contributing to the design of experiments to meet the research goals of the project, in collaboration with Dr Andrew Plackett. Collect research data through laboratory-based scientific experimentation and (where necessary) literature reviews. Analyse and interpret data. Apply knowledge in a way which develops new intellectual understanding. Contribute to developing new models, techniques and methods as required by their research project. Present research outputs, including drafting academic publications or parts thereof, for example at seminars and as posters, typically to audiences with a scientific or academic background. Disseminate research findings for publication, research seminars etc. This will involve taking a lead role in preparing research outputs of their project for publication in peer-reviewed journals. Contribute to Departmental/School research-related activities and research-related administration. Undertake management/administration arising from research. Supervise students on research related work and provide guidance to PhD students where appropriate to the discipline. Provide guidance, as required, to support staff and any students who may be assisting with the research. Deal with problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines. Contribute to writing bids for research funding. Contribute to enterprise, business development and/or public engagement activities of manifest benefit to the College and the University, often under supervision of a project leader. Promote equality and values diversity acting as a role model and fostering an inclusive working culture.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Candidates are required to hold the following qualifications:


A Bachelors or Masters degree, ideally in a relevant STEM discipline (eg. Biological sciences). A PhD (or near to completion) in a field relevant to the project (e.g. plant genetics, plant reproductive biology, plant molecular biology).

Experience

Demonstrable prior experience in one or more of the following research techniques would be an advantage:


Functional genetic analysis in Arabidopsis. Generation and analysis of single cell sequencing data. Working with non-model plants or emerging plant models such as Ceratopteris.

Skills

The ideal candidate will also be able to demonstrate the following skills:


High level analytical capability. Ability to communicate complex information clearly, both in writing and verbally, to audiences with a scientific or more general academic background. Contribution to the planning and organisation of a research project. Effective day-to-day management of a research project. Co-ordinating their own work with others to avoid conflict or duplication of effort. Knowledge of the protected characteristics of the Equality Act 2010, and how to actively ensure in day-to-day activity in own area that those with protected characteristics are treated equally and fairly.

Informal enquiries to Dr Andy Plackett, email: A.R.G.Plackett@bham.ac.uk

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