Postdoctoral Research Assistant in Molecular Seed Biology

Right to work: Applications from job seekers who require sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website. 

Full time, Fixed Term (32 months)

The Seed Biology and Technology Team at Royal Holloway invites applications for the post of a Postdoctoral Research Assistant (PDRA) in Molecular Seed Biology.

We are seeking a PDRA, starting in March 2025 (or as soon as possible thereafter), to join a research project funded by UKRI-BBSRC*. The project "MimicWeed - Morphological, hormonal and genomic mechanisms of seed dormancy, germination and seedling vigour in weedy crop grass mimics" is an Industrial Partnership Award (BBSRC-IPA project APP33678) in collaboration with Rothamsted Research and Syngenta.

The postholder will be based within the research team of Professor Gerhard Leubner and Dr Tina Steinbrecher in the Seed Biology and Technology Laboratory at Royal Holloway. The main task for this post is to conduct experiments to deliver the project objectives, especially the transcriptome experiments into secondary dormancy (bench work and in silico analysis) and the seed screening assays for ABA and temperature responses. Team work and willingness to interact across disciplines are essential.

We are looking for a highly motivated person with interest in our research topic, broad knowledge in plant molecular physiology, expertise with transcriptome (RNAseq) analyses and research experience in the field. The successful candidate will have a PhD, ideally several years of research experience with seed biology with molecular methods and experience with seed/plant stress physiology. Good interaction, communication, and collaboration skills are essential. Good knowledge of English is of course mandatory. 

This is position is available from 1st March 2025 to 31st January 2028. *Any offer of employment will be subject to receipt of the offer letter confirming the funding. This post is based in Egham, Surrey where the College is situated in a beautiful, leafy campus near to Windsor Great Park and within commuting distance from London. 

For an informal discussion about the post, please contact Professor Gerhard Leubner, Chair of Plant Biochemistry, Royal Holloway.

Web "The Seed Biology Place" - www.seedbiology.eu and www.rhul.ac.uk

Email Gerhard.Leubner@rhul.ac.uk 

For queries on the application process the Human Resources Department can be contacted by email at: recruitment@rhul.ac.uk 

Please quote the reference: 1224-368

Closing Date: 23:59, 26 January 2025

Interview Date: To Be Confirmed

When applying, please upload copies of your title, short summaries of your MSc and PhD works, and a short CV including your publication list. Your supporting 1-page statement should include your motivation to conduct research in the Seed Biology and Technology Team at Royal Holloway. 

Further details:   

Job Description & Person Specification    

This position is not eligible for hybrid working.

Royal Holloway is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI), and encourages applications from all people regardless of age, disability, gender, marital status, parental status, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation, or trans status or history. More information on our structures and initiatives around EDI, including information on staff diversity networks, can be found on our Equality and Diversity Intranet page.

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