Postdoctoral Researchers
Applications are invited for Postdoctoral Researchers to join the laboratory of Dr Daniel Zilberman at the John Innes Centre (JIC), an internationally-renowned plant and microbial biology research institute featuring state-of-the-art scientific facilities and infrastructure, based in Norwich, UK.
Background:
The Zilberman laboratory (
https://zilbermanlab.net/) studies the inheritance, function and evolution of DNA methylation, a key epigenetic mechanism that regulates gene expression in plants, animals and other eukaryotes. Proper inheritance of methylation patterns is essential for human health and plant development.
Our group has been at the forefront of DNA methylation research for over ten years, and we regularly publish in the most prominent multidisciplinary journals, including Nature, Science, Cell, eLife and PNAS. Several previous members of the Zilberman group now hold independent faculty positions.
The role:
The successful candidates will work on a project supported by the European Research Council to achieve a quantitative understanding of how nucleosomes, linker histones, and other chromatin components influence the accurate inheritance of DNA methylation patterns, and how DNA methylation in turn regulates nucleosomes and other aspects of chromatin structure. Arabidopsis thaliana will be the primary model, and we expect the resulting ideas and insights to be highly relevant to transcriptional control across eukaryotes.
Aspects of this project will involve genetic, genomic, biochemical, and bioinformatic approaches; candidates interested in using some or all of these techniques to explore DNA methylation-based epigenetics are encouraged to apply. This project will also entail a close collaboration with the Howard group at JIC to develop empirically supported mathematical models of DNA methylation-based epigenetic inheritance.
The ideal candidate:
The successful candidates will have a PhD (awarded or expected within 6 months) in Biological Sciences with a high-quality publication record and demonstrable scientific success in previous roles. Candidates should possess experience in molecular biology, as well as excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Prior experience in plant biology and epigenetics is desirable but not essential.
Additional information:
Salary on appointment will be within the range £31,250 to £38,100 per annum depending on qualifications and experience. Two full time posts are available, each for a period of two years, with a possibility of extension.
For further information and details of how to apply, please visit our web site
http://jobs.jic.ac.uk or contact the Human Resources team on 01603 450462 or
[email protected] quoting reference 1003684.
We are an equal opportunities employer, actively supporting inclusivity and diversity. As a Disability Confident organisation, we guarantee to offer an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for this vacancy. The John Innes Centre is also proud to hold a Gold Award from Athena SWAN and is a member of Stonewall’s Diversity Champions programme.
The closing date for applications will be 5th June 2019.
The John Innes Centre is a registered charity (No. 223852) grant-aided by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council and is an Equal Opportunities Employer.
