We seek a Research Associate with expertise in plant-microbe interactions, microbial ecology, and omics/sequencing to investigate how microbes can be used to improve the growth of crops in controlled environments. The project will focus on the development of probiotics for lettuce grown under hydroponic conditions. Intensive soil-less agriculture has the potential to revolutionise agricultural production of high-value crops. Microbes growing...
We seek a Research Associate with expertise in plant-microbe interactions, microbial ecology, and omics/sequencing to investigate how microbes can be used to improve the growth of crops in controlled environments.
The project will focus on the development of probiotics for lettuce grown under hydroponic conditions. Intensive soil-less agriculture has the potential to revolutionise agricultural production of high-value crops. Microbes growing in hydroponics rigs can both help and hinder crop production, but the role of microbes within these systems remains understudied. You will lead a series of experiments that manipulate and track the microbial communities associated with lettuce and seek to identify microbes that confer protection to plant pathogens and are beneficial for lettuce growth.
The primary role will be in planning and conducting the experiments, so experience working with microbes and plants would be essential. Part of the project will also include applying omics technologies to the microbial communities and the lettuce (meta-barcoding, transcriptomics).
The project is funded by Innovate UK and is a collaboration lead by ConcertBio (www.concert.bio), a young biotechnology company focused on creating bespoke microbial communities for a wide array of applications. There are therefore excellent opportunities for real-world impact of the research, as well as a first-hand insight into linkages between academia and the biotech industry.
You will be responsible for assisting with the setup of a new hydroponics rig, planning and conducting the experiments, and analysing and preparing the results for publication. You would also be responsible for coordination with the team at ConcertBio.
The post is funded by Innovate UK.
The contract is full-time, fixed term for 18 months, based at the Silwood Park Campus of Imperial College London www.imperial.ac.uk/silwood-park/
Candidates who have not yet been officially awarded their PhD will be appointed as a Research Assistant.
Please contact Prof Thomas Bell thomas.bell@imperial.ac.uk with any questions about the post.
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