Research Assistant

John Innes Centre, Norwich - Dodd Group

Location: Norwich

Salary: £28,890 to £32,100 per annum depending on qualifications and experience

Hours: Full Time

Contract Type: Fixed-Term/Contract

Placed On: 27th August 2025

Closes: 16th September 2025

Job Ref: 1004943

Contract: 24 months, full time

Location: John Innes Centre, Norwich, UK.

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Research Assistant to join the Dodd Group at the John Innes Centre, conducting cutting-edge research into circadian rhythms in bacteria and plants.

About the John Innes Centre:

The John Innes Centre is an independent, international centre of excellence in plant and microbial sciences. We nurture a creative, curiosity-led approach to answering fundamental questions in bioscience, and translate that knowledge into societal benefits. Our strategic vision, Healthy Plants, Healthy People, Healthy Planet, sets out our ambitious long-term goals for the game changing impact of our science globally.

Our employees enjoy access to state-of-the-art technology and a diverse range of specialist training opportunities, including support for leadership and management. Click here to find out more about working at the John Innes Centre.

About the Dodd Group:

The Dodd Group focuses on how circadian rhythms adapt plants and microbes to their fluctuating environments. Circadian rhythms are biological cycles, with a period of about 24 hours, that are self-sustaining and provide a biological measure of time. The Dodd lab uses a variety of model systems for their research, such as model plants and non-photosynthetic bacteria.

The role:

An opportunity has arisen for a Research Assistant, with experience of microbiology and scientific imaging, to conduct research into bacterial circadian rhythms.

This will contribute to the ERC-funded programme “MicroClock” and an affiliated BBSRC project, which focus on the mechanisms and ecology of circadian programs in Bacillus subtilis. Project findings are expected to have wide-ranging implications for our understanding of the natural world, as well as developing solutions to a variety of challenges faced by humanity.

The Research Assistant will work alongside post-doctoral researchers, others at the JIC working on this topic, and international collaborators in Germany and the Netherlands.

The ideal candidate:

You will have a BSc or equivalent in biological sciences or microbiology. You will have in-depth knowledge of molecular biology and experimentation upon bacteria.

The successful candidate will have experience or oral research presentations. It is advantageous if the candidate has experience in preparing data for publications or grant applications.

Additional information:

Please note, this post does not meet UKVI requirements to provide visa sponsorship.

We are an equal opportunities employer, actively supporting inclusivity and diversity. As a Disability Confident organisation, we guarantee to offer an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for this vacancy. We are proud to hold a prestigious Gold Athena SWAN award in recognition of our inclusive culture, commitment and good practices towards advancing of gender equality. We offer an exciting, stimulating, diverse research environment and actively promote a family friendly workplace. The Institute is also a member of Stonewall’s Diversity Champions programme.

The John Innes Centre is a registered charity (No. 223852) grant-aided by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council.