Research Fellow- Plant Sciences – molecular genetics, computational sciences Full-time

Research Fellow- Plant Sciences – Molecular Genetics, Computational Sciences

Biosciences is one of the world's foremost centres for research and teaching in the biological sciences, ranked #3 in the UK for research power (REF), #1 in Europe for Biology (EDURANK) and one of the largest Divisions within UCL, undertaking a significant amount of research and teaching. The Division has a diverse portfolio addressing all areas of biology from protein interactions to cell function, organism development, genetics, population studies and the environment. Computational modelling approaches are frequently used alongside experimental research programmes and much of our research crosses traditional boundaries, including the relationship of biodiversity to the health of the planet. Activity is underpinned by high calibre science technology platforms and state of the art equipment. Educational activity includes a range of undergraduate programmes, an expanding number of Masters Programmes and a substantial number of postgraduate research students. Post-doctoral scientists are highly valued in our community with an active programme to improve research culture and mentorship enabling a move towards independence.

This is an exciting opportunity to help found the laboratory of Professor Gail Taylor, with one other post-doctoral research fellow and a PhD student, following her move from the University of California and appointment as Dean of Life Sciences and Quain Professor of Botany.

UCL has invested significantly in new facilities to enable a novel and innovative programme of Plant Sciences research relevant to the grand challenges of food and energy security and the development of a sustainable bioeconomy. This includes laboratory, writing and computational space within the 'Centre For Biodiversity and Environment Research' on the Bloomsbury campus, with two new indoor vertical farms and a greenhouse facility at UCL East, as part of the 'People and Nature Lab' and a lecturer recruitment in Food Security. Alongside the extensive infrastructure and facilities available across UCL to support computational, laboratory and field work in the biosciences, this presents an excellent opportunity for a post-doctoral scientist to establish a programme of original research moving towards independence, whilst at the same time have significant freedom to define the research project.

About The Role

The successful applicant will become a member of the Genetics, Evolution and Environment Department and join both 'Centre for Biodiversity and Environment Research' at Bloomsbury and 'People and Nature lab' at UCL East. The majority of time will be spent in the analysis of molecular genetic, phenotyping and microbiome data related to on-going research on lettuce, watercress and poplar.

The role will involve:

• Analysis, writing and publication of existing data-sets, requiring significant skills in bioinformatics, GWAS, analysis of RNA-Seq and microbiome data-sets, including collaboration with the research group in California where there is an active programme of research on leafy greens and developing poplar trees for Sustainable Aviation Fuel.
• Managing the set-up of a new wet molecular and dry laboratory on the Bloomsbury site with associated greenhouses and initiating new PhD-research on molecular breeding in watercress and development of novel crops for indoor warehousing.
• Active membership of the 'People and Nature Lab' based at UCL East, contribution to the new 'Agritech' platform laboratory space.
• Leadership on the lab culture for Taylorlab emerging at UCL.

This role is an open-ended contract with a funding end date of 31/03/2028 in the first instance. Appointment at Grade 7 is dependent upon having been awarded a PhD; if this is not the case, initial appointment will be at Grade 6B with payment at Grade 7 being backdated to the date of final submission of the PhD Thesis.

A job description and person specification can be accessed at the bottom of this page.

If you have any queries about the role, please contact Gail Taylor (gail.taylor@ucl.ac.uk). If you need reasonable adjustments or a more accessible format to apply for this job online or have any queries about the application process, please contact the HR Administrator at fls.hr@ucl.ac.uk, quoting the reference of the advert in your subject line.

About You

The successful applicant will be embedded in the laboratory of Gail Taylor. You will develop and apply methodologies to analyse large-scale leaf microbiome and high throughput phenotyping data collected from several hundred unique genotypes of lettuce and similar phenotype-genotype data from poplar and watercress, analysing, collating, writing and publishing these data from multiple sources. You will work with collaborators at ORNL on several data-driven projects using AI and ML approaches. You will report this work through peer-reviewed publications in high quality journals and through presentations at national and international meetings. You will also collaborate with other members of the group through (e.g.) regular discussions, group meetings, and/or journal clubs. Expertise in plant sciences, molecular genetics, analysis of phenotype-genotype data including complex dataset on microbiomes, UAV and other sensing data collected remotely, alongside bioinformatic tasks in genome assembly and annotation, microbiome data analysis.

You must have, or be about to obtain, a PhD in a relevant subject area (e.g. Genetics, Plant Molecular Genetics, Statistical Genetics, Computational Biology, Bioinformatics, Plant Sciences), or proven knowledge regarding these topics and/or the analyses of large-scale datasets. Experience in the planning, development and delivery of scientific research is also essential, alongside the ability to develop effective collaborative and mentoring relationships with other members of the research group. There will be significant opportunities and support to move towards an independent research career whilst at UCL.

What We Offer

As well as the exciting opportunities this role presents, we also offer some great benefits some of which are below:

• 41 Days holiday (27 days annual leave 8 bank holiday and 6 closure days)
• Additional 5 days' annual leave purchase scheme
• Defined benefit career average revalued earnings pension scheme (CARE)
• Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loan
• Immigration loan and expenses
• Relocation scheme for certain posts
• On-Site nursery
• On-site gym
• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay
• Employee assistance programme: Staff Support Service
• Discounted medical insurance

Visit UCL Reward and Benefits to find out more.

Our Commitment To Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

As London's Global University, we know diversity fosters creativity and innovation, and we want our community to represent the diversity of the world's talent. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where we all belong.

We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in UCL's workforce. These include people from Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds; disabled people; LGBTQI+ people; and for our Grade 9 and 10 roles, women.

Our division holds both Athena SWAN Silver and Gold awards, in recognition of our commitment to advancing gender equality.

You can read more about our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion here: UCL Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Available Documents

• Download: Job Description & Person Specification.pdf