The James Hutton Institute was formed on 1 April 2011 by uniting the Macaulay Land Use Research Institute and SCRI (Scottish Crop Research Institute).The institute has a commercial subsidiary, James Hutton Limited, which provides competitive advantage through science and technology, including consultancy and analytical services for research and commercial purposes. Products developed at the James Hutton Institute (and its forebears) are familiar names on supermarket shelves. They include popular raspberry varieties such as Glen Ample and Glen Lyon; potato varieties including Lady Balfour, Anya, Vales Sovereign, Vales Emerald and Mayan Gold; and our brassicas (swedes, turnips, kale etc.,) dominate the UK market. Researchers of the institution have worked with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to produce a series of briefing papers to raise the profile of the ecosystems approach in tackling not just climate change mitigation and adaptation, but also poverty alleviation, disaster risk reduction, biodiversity loss and many other environmental issues.
Position Title: Postdoctoral Plant Physiologist/ Biochemist
Reference : JHL-02-15
Salary : £30,000 - £37,500 per annum
Job Description: A postdoctoral post is available to work on an Agri-Tech Catalyst funded research project to understand the factors underlying yield instability in UK blueberry production and to define molecular approaches for breeding yield instability resistance. The position will focus on the identification of the mechanisms leading to blueberry yield instability. In particular the appointee will estimate annual carbon budgets in blueberry plants using a range of biochemical and physiological techniques. This position seeks recent PhD's with experience in plant physiology or Biochemistry. Experience in infrared gas exchange, chlorophyll fluorescence measurement and bioanalytical techniques such as HPLC would be advantageous.
Job Location: This post will be based in Dundee; there may be a requirement to travel between sites.
Main purpose of job: To conduct research to identify the mechanisms of blueberry yield instability using a range of physiological and biochemical techniques. In particular the post holder will test the hypotheses that yield instability results from catastrophic environmental events, e.g. frost damage to flowers, and that yield instability results from imbalances in the annual carbon budget of the plant.
Main duties of post holder:
- Conduct experiments apprioprate for testing the causes of the yield instability trait:
- Observe phenological changes throughout blueberry growing cycle and correlate to meteorological data
- Quantify photosynthetic gas exchange and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters in several blueberry cultivars at different points in the annual growing cycle
- Quantify annual accumulation and utilization of carbon across a range of plant organs
- Use metabolic labelling techniques to examine instantaneous carbon uptake and distribution in blueberry cultivars at different points in the annual growing cycle.
2. Contribute written reports and presents at project progress meetings.
3. Contribute to scientific publications, conference presentations and other KE activities.
Attainments:
Essential
PhD with experience in plant physiology or Biochemistry.
Experience:
Essential
- A minimum of three years' postgraduate research experience in infrared gas exchange, chlorophyll fluorescence measurement and bioanalytical techniques such as HPLC would be advantageous
- Experience of writing reports
- Experience of scientific presentation
Desirable
- Experience working with infrared gas exchange and chlorophyll fluorescence
- Experience working with perennial crops
- Bioanalytical experience, e.g. HPLC, GC/MS, enzyme activity quantification
- Experience of writing research manuscripts
- Experience of working within an applied/commercial environment
Skills:
Essential
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to work within a team
Desirable
Evidence of managing relationships with a range of stakeholders (e.g. academic supervisors, commercial partners, funding bodies).
How to apply:
To apply, please submit a covering letter and CV (including the names and addresses of three referees, one of which must be your current or most recent employer) by email to vacancies@hutton.ac.uk or by post to HR Office Dundee,James Hutton Institute,Invergowrie, Dundee, DD2 5DA.
Please quote reference number JHL-02-15 in all correspondence.
The closing date for this post is by 18th December 2015.
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