Research Fellow (Postdoctoral) – School of Biosciences – 106589 – Grade 7 Full-time

Postdoctoral Research Fellow

The Plackett and Kettles labs at the University of Birmingham are seeking to recruit a postdoctoral research fellow with expertise in bioinformatics to undertake a two-year project 'Speed breeding technologies for UK broadleaved trees' as part of the Defra-funded Centre for Forest Protection (CFP). This project is a UK-wide collaboration with Dr Abigail Johnson (Niab East Malling Research) and Prof Richard Buggs (Kew Royal Botanic Gardens). With this project we aim to identify whether it is possible to accelerate the maturation and flowering of three tree species (Oak, Ash and Silver Birch) through applying'speed breeding' conditions as a tool to enable future breeding programmes in these species to improve resistance to disease and environmental stress.

The research fellow will have responsibility for the analysis of samples taken from an ongoing speed-breeding experiment (managed by Dr Abigail Johnson, Niab-EMR). Using RNA-seq and pan-genomic analysis they will identify common gene networks underpinning responses to speed-breeding conditions across these three species; identify underlying genetic variation in candidate flowering genes in their respective genomes (in collaboration with Prof Richard Buggs, Kew RBG) and identify genetic loci within diverse Ash populations responsible for their being more or less responsive to speed breeding conditions. In addition to bioinformatic analysis the research fellow will ideally contribute in the wet-lab preparation of samples for next-generation sequencing.

The research fellow will be part of the project management team and participate in collaborative teams meetings with other project institutions and quarterly review meetings with Defra, where they will have responsibility for the delivery of key project milestones.

The research fellow will play a key role in contributing to publications arising from this project and have the opportunity to engage with additional projects within the Plackett and Kettles groups.

The postdoctoral research fellow will be expected to:

• Undertake experimental work under the supervision of Dr Andrew Plackett and Dr Graeme Kettles to collect research data. This will be primarily be bioinformatic (dry lab) in nature but will also include supporting wet-lab duties such as RNA extraction.
• Manage their time to achieve key project milestones in data preparation, analysis and interpretation by specified dates to meet funder requirements.
• Analyse and interpret data.
• 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 follow-on experiments to meet the research goals of the project, in collaboration with the wider project team.
• Contribute to writing bids for research funding based on the experimental data gathered.
• Apply knowledge in a way which develops new intellectual understanding.
• Disseminate research findings for publication, research seminars etc.
• Supervise students on research related work and provide guidance to PhD students where appropriate to the discipline.
• Contribute to developing new models, techniques and methods.
• Undertake management/administration arising from research.
• Contribute to departmental/school research-related activities and research-related administration.
• 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.
• Present research outputs, including drafting academic publications or parts thereof, for example at seminars and as posters.
• 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.
• Promote equality and values diversity acting as a role model and fostering an inclusive working culture.

Candidates are required to hold the following qualifications:

• A Bachelors or Masters degree in a relevant STEM discipline (eg. Biological sciences, Data Science).
• A PhD (or near completion) in Bioinformatics, Plant Genomics or other related field appropriate to the goals of this project.

Demonstrable prior experience in bioinformatic analysis of RNA-seq data using R or Python is essential. Prior experience successfully undertaking a research programme is essential. Past wet-lab experience in the preparation of samples for RNA-seq analysis would be an advantage.

Proficiency in bioinformatic analysis of large datasets, specifically in the areas of RNA-seq and/or pan-genomic analysis. Proficiency in the R or Python programming languages, familiarity in Bioconductor packages and Linux command line.