• Job title: Research Assistant
• Salary: £26,610 - £29,566
• Programme: Plant Pathology
• Reference number: PP/1/11
• Closing date: 4pm Friday 15 April 2011

A full time postdoctoral researcher is required to join Dr Nicola Holden’s group, researching the molecular basis to colonisation of plants by human pathogenic enterobacteria. The BBSRC-funded project will characterise adherence factors in Escherichia coli O157:H7 that mediate interactions with fresh produce plants; lettuce and spinach. The project will identify potential adherence factors from libraries of clones and mutants, in tandem with bioinformatics screens. Candidate adherence factors will be characterised in detail in planta.

The successful candidate will have a PhD in molecular microbiology, with experience in bacteriology, gene expression analysis and molecular cloning. Ideally the candidate will also have experience working with Hazard Group 2 bacteria, in host-microbe interactions, and an understanding of bacterial adaptation strategies. Candidates will be self-motivated, able to design their own experiments, have excellent record-keeping skills and be able to present experimental data. The post presents an excellent opportunity to join an enthusiastic team in an extremely interesting and novel area.

Main purpose of job

To fulfill research requirements of BBSRC grant “Identification and functional analysis of surface factors that enable human pathogens to adhere to and colonise plants.”

Aims of the grant:

• Screen for adherence factors in Escherichia coli O157:H7 that are required for adherence to plant tissue using BAC clones and O-island mutants.
• Characterise novel and known adherence factors in planta using mutants, complemented mutations, reporter fusions and antibodies.
• Determine whether any of the adherence factors trigger a host defense response in the plants.

Main duties of postholder

• Carry out screens and experimentation to fulfill research aims.
• Perform data analysis and interpretation.
• Report results in scientific papers and at relevant conferences.
• Assist with day-to-day running of the laboratory including occasional supervision of undergraduate and postgraduate students.

Skills required

Scientific:

A PhD in molecular microbiology, with knowledge of bacterial adaptation to different environments, or a knowledge of host-microbe interactions and the role of pathogenicity factors, or a knowledge regulator of adherence factors and other colonisation factors.

Technical: Molecular cloning; bacteriology; gene expression analysis; (if possible) working with human pathogenic bacteria; host-microbe interactions; basic understanding of bioinformatics analysis; some microscopy.

Experience required

Experience gained from a molecular microbiology lab to provide Skills listed above.

Academic requirements

A PhD in molecular microbiology.

Other specific requirements

To be enthusiastic about the research, have the ability to use initiative, and to be hard-working.

Please contact Dr Nicola Holden with any specific questions about this post.

Applications

Applications should be made by submitting a covering letter and CV including the names and addresses of three referees (one being current/most recent employer) to vacancies@scri.ac.uk or Human Resources Office, SCRI, Invergowrie, Dundee DD2 5DA by 4pm Friday 15 April 2011 quoting the appropriate post reference number PP/1/11.