The laboratory of Dr Xiaoqi Feng at the John Innes Centre (JIC) is seeking a high quality postdoctoral scientist to investigate the epigenetic regulation of plant germline development, a project funded by BBSRC for 5 years. Preliminary studies in the Feng Lab suggest that a DNA methylation pathway promotes male sexual lineage development by regulating the expression of key genes. The postdoc will investigate the mechanism by which male sexual lineage development is regulated by the pathway in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. It involves determining how sexual lineage development is regulated through characterizing the functions of candidate genes, and further deciphering the mechanism underlying the sexual-lineage-specific activity of the epigenetic pathway using a combination of genomics, forward genetics and developmental biology approaches.

This research will lead to the discovery of novel genetic and epigenetic regulators of sexual lineage development and function, which can be exploited to improve crop yield. This work will also deepen our knowledge of epigenetic regulation of plant development, as it will demonstrate how a DNA methylation mechanism is adapted by a specific lineage of cells to promote their biological function – a mode of regulation that will likely be relevant to developmental processes outside the sexual lineages.

Employing a combination of molecular, genetic, imaging, epigenetic and genomic approaches, the Feng Lab focuses on dissecting the mechanisms by which genetic and epigenetic factors shape the function and fate determination of the male sexual lineage. Revealing novel genetic and epigenetic regulators and their crosstalk is essential for our knowledge of sexual reproduction. At a more fundamental level, the male sexual lineage serves as a good paradigm for the study of plant development, especially important for understanding how the development of a specific lineage of cells is tightly controlled in the context of a plastic environment of plant development.

The Feng Lab welcomes scientists who are passionate about development and/or epigenetics to apply. The post is currently for 3 years, but extendable to 5 years. The start date is flexible, and the Lab will continue to expand in the next two to three years. It does not matter what background you are from, as long as you have passion in the Lab’s research area and have (or will soon have) a PhD in biological sciences, please feel encouraged to write directly to Dr Xiaoqi Feng at xiaoqi.feng@jic.ac.uk who would be happy to answer your questions about the post and their research.

Salary on appointment will be within the range £29, 500 to £36, 060 per annum depending on qualifications, skills and experience.

For further information and details of how to apply, please visit our website http://jobs.jic.ac.uk or contact Human Resources, NBI Partnership, Norwich Bioscience Institutes, Norwich, NR4 7UH, UK, 01603 45014901603 450149 quoting reference 1002739. As a user of the disability symbol, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum essential criteria for this vacancy.

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