Research Assistant - Oxford, United Kingdom - University of Oxford

University of Oxford

Verified Company

Oxford, United Kingdom

1 week ago

Posted by:

Tom O´Connor

beBee Recruiter

Description

The Department of Biology is looking for a post-doctoral research assistant (PDRA) that will report to Dr Ronelle Roth and work on understanding cross-kingdom communication in the arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) symbiosis.

Your research will focus on two possible projects 1.) to study extracellular vesicles (EVs) produced during the interaction by analysing plant and fungal protein biomarkers and EV cargoes and assessing their function in the AM symbiosis; and 2.) to examine the role of small interfering RNAs in modulating the plant-fungal interaction.

You will have experience in isolating and analysing proteins; and techniques such as SDS-PAGE, Silver staining and Western Blotting is essential.

Additional skills such as immuno-precipitation/pull-down would be desirable.

Both projects require an essential skillset in data analysis using R and molecular biology techniques such as extracting RNA and DNA, PCR to amplify gene fragments for cloning.

You will also do small RNAs and mRNA isolation from EVs and plant material and qRT-PCR to analyse gene expression.

Using MoClo and Gateway cloning you will generate amiRNA, CRISPR-Cas9 and reporter/translational fusion constructs. These are well established techniques in the lab.

Experience in aseptic techniques, plant transformation, live-cell fluorescent imaging using confocal microscopy and bright field microscopy of cleared and stained material is desirable but not essential.

Specialist training and support will be provided where needed.

You will also be expected to work independently and help other lab members with routine lab tasks such as making solutions, planting, and plant care such as watering, producing fungal inoculum and organising plasmid and seeds stocks.

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

This is a fixed term contract available from 1 September 2023 for 12 months with an option to renew for an additional 12 months.