The School of Life Sciences are looking for a Senior Research Officer to undertake research in the laboratory of Dr. Amanda Cavanagh on the project Realising Increased Photosynthetic Efficiency (RIPE) in the School of Life Sciences. This work is part of an international consortium funded by Bill & Melinda Gates Agricultural Innovations (Gates Ag One), via a subcontract from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Duties of the post
The RIPE project aims to address the challenge of food security through improvement of photosynthesis and at Essex our group has made significant advances in this area. This post offers an exciting and exceptional opportunity for a highly motivated postdoctoral researcher to join our multidisciplinary RIPE group of five post-doctoral researchers, and research technician focussing on the improvement of photosynthesis. We are looking for a candidate with an interest in and an understanding of the photosynthesis and who has experience in the areas of plant biochemistry and/or plant metabolism. This project will focus on the characterization of photosynthetic enzymes and the production and analysis of transgenic plants with improved photosynthesis. Candidates should have excellent communication skills, the ability to work both independently and as a productive member of the team. This post is available immediately and is funded for an initial period of 18 months.
A full list of duties can be found within the job pack attached.
Skills and qualifications required
You will hold a PhD in Plant Biology, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology or related discipline, or be close to completion of PhD, along with a BSc in Biology, Biochemistry, Genetics or related discipline.
The successful candidate will have the ability and willingness to complement and enhance the research project/department/school’s education and research strengths and areas of planned development. You will have strong communication skills, both written and verbal, and you must be willing to work independently and as a team.
As part of the process and to be successful you will be required to demonstrate how you your research has been impactful within and beyond the academic sphere, recognising the importance of this and the effect it will have on the University.
The University of Essex is a campus based University and all academic appointments are made with the expectation that you will be present on campus to fulfil the requirements of your position. At the time of a job offer, the possibility of hybrid working, will be discussed and considered on an individual basis, but you will be required to be based within the UK.
At the University of Essex, internationalism and diversity is central to who we are and what we do. We are committed to being a cosmopolitan, internationally oriented university that is welcoming to staff and students from all countries, faiths and backgrounds, where you can find the world in one place.
To support this commitment we have our Global Forum, a staff-led network that promotes and celebrates the rich cultural diversity among Essex staff, and our Colchester campus based Faith Centre, which hosts regular services, meetings and events organised by our chaplains and faith representatives.
Please see the attached job pack, which contains a full job description and person specification which outlines the full duties, skills, qualifications and experience needed for this role plus more information relating to the post. We recommend you read this information carefully before making an application. Applications should be made on-line, but if you would like advice or help in making an application, or need information in a different format, please contact resourcing@essex.ac.uk
*More information: Working at the University
