Postdoctoral Research Associate

With the human population estimated to reach 9.8 billion people by 2050, the
looming nitrogen (N) crisis, stemming from the intensive use of fertilisers in
agriculture, requires urgent global action. Massive synthesis and application
of fertiliser N has a large energy cost, causes CO2 release and results in
large-scale loss of reduced N to the environment. Use of legumes, which in
association with rhizobia can fix up to 200 kg N per ha, as crops and for
forage are potential ways to improve both N efficiency and the sustainability
of agriculture.





In this project you will be engineering nif clusters for their expression in
plant colonizing bacteria and integrating them into the chromosomes of
appropriate chassis. Control systems will be designed to restrict expression
to target plants and ensure optimal expression of the nitrogenase complex.
This will include managing your own academic research and administrative
activities and contribute ideas for new research projects. You will
collaborate in the preparation of scientific reports and journal articles and
occasionally present papers and posters.





You will hold, or be close to completion of, a relevant PhD/DPhil, together
with relevant experience. Experience in synthetic biology and assembly of
20-30 kb plus nif clusters for single copy integration into bacterial
chromosomes is essential. You will have previous experience of contributing to
publications/presentations and the ability to contribute ideas for new
research projects and research income generation. Excellent communication
skills, including the ability to write for publication, present research
proposals and results, and represent the research group at meetings is
necessary.





Where Covid-19 has resulted in substantial disruption to your work or research
outputs, please explain this by providing an additional paragraph in your
supporting statement.





The University of Oxford is committed to equality and valuing diversity. All
applicants will be judged on merit, according to the selection criteria.





This post is full time and available immediately.





The closing date for applications is 12.00 noon on Friday 14 June 2024,
interviews are likely to be scheduled for late June 2024.





Applications for this vacancy are to be made online via our e-Recruitment
system, and you will be required to upload a supporting statement and CV as
part of your online application.