Senior Research Technician

There is funding to appoint a Senior Research Technician on FA5 100% FTE for a maximum 6 months restricted to end by 31 December 2023; the duration may have to be shortened up to 4.5 months depending on the starting salary of the successful candidate. 36.5 hours per week.

This post is an exciting opportunity for a motivated and experienced research technician to utilise plant science and molecular biology skills in a new research project to develop resistance to Fusarium wilt disease in celery. The job requires a range of techniques and skills including culturing of Fusarium, inoculation of plants and assessment of disease symptoms in glasshouse-based plant bioassays as well as DNA extraction and PCR / RT-PCR for pathogen identification and detection. You will join an established research team working on a range of plant diseases based at the Wellesbourne Campus in a supportive research environment with excellent facilities.

This project is one of a number of BBSRC-funded 6-month partnerships that address crop pests and diseases in UK agriculture and horticulture and is a collaboration between Tozer Seeds, the University of Warwick and NIAB. The main aim of the research is to identify resistance to Fusarium wilt of celery caused by the soilborne plant pathogenic fungus Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. apii (FOA). The disease is a major problem for celery growers in the USA and China but is also a substantial threat to production in Europe and the UK. Tozer Seeds are a major celery breeder and seed producer worldwide and will provide plant material for resistance testing in the project. This will be done through FOA-inoculated plant bioassays to identify differences in disease levels between different celery accessions in the glasshouse using techniques developed at Warwick for other crops such as onion and lettuce. Experience with handling fungal plant pathogens and inoculating plants is therefore essential. In addition, following FOA genome sequencing and analysis at NIAB and Warwick, you will support work to develop improved PCR-based diagnostics for FOA.

The post represents a unique opportunity to work with both industry and academia on a major plant disease. Identifying resistance will help Tozer provide new celery varieties to mitigate the impact of FOA in the USA and protect future celery production in Europe and the UK while developing diagnostic tools will enhance biosecurity measures against this disease.

Further information can be obtained from john.clarkson@warwick.ac.uk.

Interview Date: TBC.

Job Description

JOB PURPOSE

To provide technical support in a BBSRC project undertaking research on Fusarium wilt of celery.



DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

1) Growth, maintenance, storage and record-keeping for fungal pathogen cultures including Defra-licensed isolates. Production of F. oxysporum inoculum for controlled environment and glasshouse experiments.

2) Growing and maintenance of celery plants.

3) Plan and carry out controlled environment and glasshouse plant experiments involving inoculation with Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. apii and assessment of disease development in different celery accessions.

4) Develop and optimise DNA extraction protocols and PCR assays for FOA and employ these to detect and quantify the pathogen in plant and root samples.

5) Experimental management on a day-to-day basis including purchasing of consumables and managing equipment.

6) Monitoring and communicating progress of the project in relation to milestones with the post-doc and Principal Investigator and help solve any issues that might lead to a delay in experiments or results.

7) Communicate with other researchers and collaborators including attending research group and project meetings, presenting results and contributing ideas.

8) Contribute to the drafting of reports and scientific publications including summarising and analysing data.

9) Store electronic data and keep detailed written records ensuring that quality assurance standards are maintained.

10) Training and supervision of students and visitors to the lab as required.

11) Ensure compliance with health and safety in all aspects of work.

The duties and responsibilities outlined are not intended to be an exhaustive list but provide guidance on the main aspects of the job. The postholder will be required to be flexible in their duties.