Postdoctoral Research Associate

We are looking for an individual to join Dr Pallavi Singh's group as a Post-Doctoral Research Associate, working on the FLF grant titled ‘REVOLUTION: Unravelling the regulation and evolutionary innovations in grass species to engineer high water use efficiency in rice,’ The role holder will use a range bulk- and single-cell -omics approaches to understand and enhance water use efficiency in rice. Rice serves as a global staple crop for more than 3.5 billion people, grown in over 100 countries, and provides nearly half of the global caloric intake. It is vital for food security, particularly in South Asia, where it supplies a significant portion of both caloric and protein needs. Furthermore, the demand for rice in Africa is growing at more than 6% annually (Source: AfricaRice). Currently, the global rice market is expected to face its largest shortfall in two decades, driven by a changing climate and dwindling freshwater reserves. Rice is a water-intensive crop, and water is central to the global climate crisis. Therefore, developing rice varieties with improved water use efficiency is crucial for ensuring agricultural sustainability and global food security.

The successful candidate will be joining a vibrant and friendly group of researchers in the Singh Lab (https://www.thepallavisinghlab.com/), a multidisciplinary research group focused on developing water-efficient crops for the future. We are seeking candidates with a strong interest in plant productivity and photosynthesis, along with knowledge of plant molecular biology and plant physiology. Candidates should have excellent communication skills and the ability to work independently, as well as collaboratively with other members of our research group. Applicants who wish to be considered for this position must also display an ability to undertake project management, method development, data collection and analysis, as they join a collaborative and highly motivated team of researchers. This position is available immediately and is funded for an initial period of 36 months.

As part of joining our lab, the successful candidate will have a unique opportunity to contribute and get experience in the development of group, mentoring, in grant writing, as well as driving and being directly involved in multiple projects and research articles. While this position is fully funded, successful postdoctoral candidates who have previously joined the Plant Productivity Group have successfully competed for and obtained their own postdoctoral fellowships (e.g., Marie Curie, Human Frontiers, EMBO, etc.) and, with our guidance and assistance, you will be expected to be competitive for, and write applications to, such fellowships.

Qualifications required
The successful candidate will hold a PhD in Plant Biology, Bioinformatics, Plant Molecular Biology, Genetics, or another discipline relevant to the project, or be close to completion of PhD. Along with a Bachelor’s-level degree in Biological/Life Sciences or another discipline relevant to the project.

Please use the 'Apply' button to read further information about this role including the full job description and person specification which outlines the full duties, skills, qualifications and experience needed for this role. You will also find details of how to make your application here.

Our website http://www.essex.ac.uk contains more information about the University of Essex. If you have a disability and would like information in a different format, please email resourcing@essex.ac.uk.

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