Applications are invited for a Research Scientist to work on an exciting collaborative project based in the Quadram Institute (Dr Fred Warren) working closely with the John Innes Centre (Dr David Seung) based in Norwich, UK. This two year post is funded by the John Innes Foundation.

Background:

Starch biosynthesis in higher plants is highly complex – the coordinated action of more than twenty biosynthetic enzymes result in the formation of starch granules containing two glucose polymers – amylopectin and amylose. The amount and structure of amylose varies greatly between different species, but surprisingly little is known about how these are controlled.

In this project, the successful candidate will introduce components of amylose biosynthesis from a range of different plant and algal species into our Arabidopsis model system. The resulting starch will be structurally characterised to identify the influence of the different enzymes on amylose content and structure. Amylose structure is known to influence the digestibility and health properties of starches, so starches will be subjected to simulated digestion in the laboratory to investigate the effect of amylose structure on starch digestion rate in the small intestine and on the fermentability of resistant starch in a model colon system.

This project is expected to yield new insights into starch biosynthesis which has the potential to lead to novel applications in developing new, healthier crops based on fundamental advances in our understanding of plant and carbohydrate science.

The role:

The post-holder will be responsible for:

• Generating transgenic Arabidopsis lines expressing starch biosynthetic enzymes from a range of starch-synthesising crop plants and algae
• Expression and purification of the same starch biosynthetic enzymes to determine kinetic parameters
• Structural characterisation of the starches in the transgenic lines using a range of techniques including SEC, DSC and PXRD
• Digestion analysis using established in vitro model digestion systems of the modified starches
• In vitro fermentation of the resistant starch fraction of the modified starches, using a model colon system including metabolomic and shotgun metagenomic analysis.

The ideal candidate:

The ideal candidate will have a PhD in microbiology, plant science, or related biological science discipline and an interest in linking fundamental science to advances in health and nutrition. They will have expertise in carbohydrate structural analysis and understanding of the importance of starch structure in controlling digestion processes. Knowledge of enzymatic carbohydrate biosynthesis is desirable. The successful candidate will also have experience with the use of DSC and SEC for carbohydrate structural analysis.

Additional information:

Salary on appointment will be within the range £32,255 to £39,345 per annum depending on qualifications and experience.  This post is for a contract of 2 years.

Further information and details of how to apply can be found here or contact the Human Resources team on 01603 450462 or nbi.recruitment@nbi.ac.uk  quoting reference 1003928.

Interviews will be held on 7 September 2020.

Please note, this post does not meet UKVI requirements to provide Tier 2 visa sponsorship.

We are committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sectors of society.  The Institute supports equality of opportunity within the workplace and expects all employees to share and display these values.  To support our commitment, we have a range of family, faith and diversity friendly working arrangements to help all staff achieve excellence in their area of work.

As a Disability Confident employer, we guarantee to offer an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for this vacancy.

About the Quadram Institute:

The Quadram Institute is a new interdisciplinary research institute dedicated to understanding how food and microbes interact to promote health and prevent disease. Its mission is to deliver healthier lives through innovation in gut health, microbiology and food. A partnership between Quadram Institute Bioscience, the University of East Anglia, the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital and BBSRC, it brings together scientists and clinicians in a state-of-the-art building on the Norwich Research Park. This is one of Europe’s largest centres of life sciences and home of the John Innes Centre and The Earlham Institute.

The closing date for applications will be 30 August 2020.

The Quadram Institute Bioscience is a registered charity (No. 1058499) and is an Equal Opportunities Employer.