Molecular Entomologist

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join the School of Life Sciences as a Postdoctoral Research Associate to work on an insect-vectored bacterial disease in plants. Planthoppers vector this bacterial disease which cause significant problems in parts of Europe. This role is part of a consortium led by Keele University with research partners in the UK and Germany.

The postholder will play a central role in delivering the insect-focused, laboratory components of the project, working with Dr Trisna Tungadi. They will play a critical role in unravelling the insect vector's ecology and transmission biology. They will work alongside other consortium partners in a highly collaborative and interdisciplinary research team. Strong communication, organisational, and time management skills are essential.

Applicants should hold a PhD or have equivalent postdoctoral-level work experience in molecular entomology, plant pathology, or related discipline. They should possess strong data analysis and scientific writing skills.

Experience in some, but not necessarily all, of the following areas is desirable: rearing insect colonies, designing and conducting insect bioassay experiments, analysing insect probing behaviour using Electrical Penetration Graph (EPG), molecular biology techniques including DNA and RNA extractions from insects and plant materials for downstream analytical applications such as PCR, RT-PCR, qRT-PCR. Previous experience working with planthopper and bioinformatics are advantageous but not essential.

The role will involve occasional travel within the UK and Europe for field sampling and research visits to partner institutions.

Benefits include: competitive rate of pay with annual increments within the grade (Keele Spine), generous annual leave entitlement with opportunities to purchase additional leave, excellent staff pension scheme, access to continued personal and professional career development, on-site outstanding nursery, discounted health and fitness facilities on site, and cycle to work scheme (subject to eligibility).

Please note that the starting salary will typically be at the bottom of the pay scale shown above. The University is committed to operating flexible working practices wherever possible.