Applications are invited for a fixed term Postdoctoral Research Associate position to join an EU FP7 Collaborative Project SPLASH (Sustainable PoLymers from Algae Sugars and Hydrocarbons). The post holder will verify the function of the putative genes from B. braunii using a synthetic biology pipeline.
For more details and to apply see the Department of Plant Sciences page >>
Applications are invited for a fixed term Postdoctoral Research Associate position to join an EU FP7 Collaborative Project SPLASH (Sustainable PoLymers from Algae Sugars and Hydrocarbons). This multidisciplinary project brings together over 20 different partners from academia and industry to investigate the possibility of making plastics from extracellular polysaccharides and hydrocarbons produced by the oleaginous green alga Botryococcus braunii. A major aspect of the work is to sequence the genome of B. braunii, and to carry out transcriptomic / proteomic / metabolomics analysis to identify putative genes encoding enzymes involved in synthesis of these polymers.
The post holder will be based in central Cambridge and work in the group of Prof Alison Smith to verify the function of the putative genes from B. braunii by expression in a heterologous host, namely Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. The approach taken will involve a synthetic biology pipeline, using standard parts and workflow already developed in Prof. Smith's lab.
The successful candidate must have a PhD in an appropriate field, and research experience in molecular biology (ideally including synthetic biology approaches), and genetic engineering of microorganisms, together with a good knowledge of regulation of gene expression and metabolism. Experience with laboratory handling of microalgae or microbiology, and/or analysis of RNA seq data, is highly desirable.
- Salary: £28,982-£37,768
- Closing date: 29 April 2016
- Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 1 year in the first instance.
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- You can apply online for this vacancy. You will need to register an account (if you have not already) and log in before completing the online application form.
- Please quote reference PD08762 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.
The interviews are scheduled to be held in the week beginning 2 May 2016 as the position is available for an immediate start. For more information contact Alison Smith (algae@plantsci.cam.ac.uk).
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