Scientific Technician

Applications are invited for a Scientific Technician Grade C with an interest in plant molecular biology and genetics to work in the laboratory of Dr. Christophe Lambing at Rothamsted Research.

Our main research aims to understand the process of meiotic recombination and how it is regulated during reproductive development. During meiosis, the genome undergoes 100s of programmed-DNA double strand breaks which are processed by inter-homologue recombination. This repair pathway is unique to germ cells and facilitates the exchange of genetic information between chromosomes. Meiotic recombination is a driving force for genome evolution, but its molecular mechanism remains incompletely understood. The aim of this project is to decipher the molecular pathway leading to germ cell differentiation in the plant model Arabidopsis and understand how it influences meiotic recombination. Novel molecular techniques will be developed to answer this long-standing question in the field.

The primary function of the position is to assist with research projects in the laboratory. The tasks involve the characterisation of existing Arabidopsis mutant lines using cytogenetic, genetic and genomic tools, molecular cloning to generate constructs for Arabidopsis transformation and record the recombination phenotypes, and contribute to the development of a technique to isolate single cells and study germ cell differentiation.

This project involves a collaboration with Prof Kathryn Lilley at the Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge. The ideal candidate is expected to have excellent communication skills and work collaboratively with all partners on this project.

The ideal candidate will have strong experience in genetic and molecular biology, have excellent understanding of concepts of biology, and ideally be at university level or above. It is expected that the successful applicant proactively supports the work of the whole team, demonstrates excellent ability to understand concepts related to laboratory work, and performs experiments with high level of accuracy.

This is a full-time fixed term for 2 years in the first instance.

For informal enquiries about this position please contact Dr Christophe Lambing ().