Research Associate

We have an exciting opportunity for a Research Associate to join the School of Molecular Biosciences.

The successful candidate will make a leading contribution to a research project entitled “Exploiting bacteriocins as a prophylactic and preventative measure against potato blackleg disease”. The project, which will run for 24 months from 26th August 2024 until 25th August 2026, is funded by a grant from the BBSRC Follow-On-Fund to Dr Joel Milner (School of Molecular Biosciences), Prof Daniel Walker (Strathclyde University) and Drs Sonia Humphris and Ashleigh Holmes (James Hutton Institute).

The work will involve the cloning of bacteriocins (protein antibiotics produced by bacterial species) for expression and production at high levels in E. coli and plants (Nicotiana benthamiana) and the testing optimization of their efficacy as a treatment for Blackleg disease and soft rots in potatoes caused by the bacterial pathogen Pectobacterium atrosepticum and related soft rot-causing bacterial species*.*

The project will involve the identification, design, expression, and purification of novel bacteriocins and the testing of their killing efficiency against diverse isolates of Pectobacterium spp in plate assays and in infected potato tissue.  The appointee will carry out the production and purification of proteins using recombinant DNA technology in E.coli and in plants. These proteins will be tested for killing activity against plant pathogenic bacteria using sterile microbiological techniques.  The appointee will work in collaboration with Drs Humphris and Holmes (JHI) to develop and analyze glasshouse studies to test the efficacy of these bacteriocins as prophylactic treatments of seed potato tubers for the prevention of blackleg disease.

The appointee, together with the PIs will also be required to participate in in the writing and submission of scientific papers and in particular will co-ordinate with University of Glasgow Research and Innovation in the preparation and submission of patent applications.  The appointee will also assist in the supervision of undergraduate or postgraduate project students in the laboratory. 

For further information, please contact Dr Joel Milner Joel.Milner@glasgow.ac.uk

This post is full time and fixed term for up to 24 months.

Closing Date:  22 July 2024

We believe that we can only reach our full potential through the talents of all. Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our values. Applications are particularly welcome from across our communities and in particular people from the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) community, and other protected characteristics who are under-represented within the University. Read more on how the University promotes and embeds all aspects of equality and diversity within our community https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/ 

We endorse the principles of Athena Swan https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/athenaswan/

and hold bronze, silver and gold awards across the University

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