Independent Research Fellowships Addressing Food Security

The John Innes Centre (JIC), a world leading centre of excellence in plant and microbial sciences, the Institute Food Research (IFR), a world leader in research into harnessing food for health and controlling food-related diseases, and The Genome Analysis Centre (TGAC), an international centre for DNA sequencing and analysis for plants, animals and microbes, are based on the Norwich Research Park, Norwich, UK.

We are inviting applications from outstanding researchers who wish to apply for a BBSRC Institute Career Path Fellowship (ICPF) focussed on food security research, to attend a Conference at the JIC on 28th September 2009. At the meeting you will be able to present a talk about your proposed area of research and to discuss your proposals, the development of your group and your future career plans in depth with senior scientists. We particularly encourage participants with novel approaches that take advantage of the breadth of expertise across the Institutes to apply. After the Conference, we will select and mentor outstanding candidates in writing Fellowship applications. Those winning an ICPF from the BBSRC will be made tenure-track project leaders.

The criteria for the ICPFs are along the same lines as for the BBSRC David Phillips Fellowships (DPFs); the applicant must be within 10 years of the start of their PhD, it’s a five year award and is judged by the DPF panel.

For further details about Food Security, please see http://www.bbsrc.ac.uk/organisation/policies/reviews/consultations/0905_food_security.html

Eligibility Requirements:
A relevant PhD, and experience at post-doctoral level
An excellent publication record (or other proof of research success)
A coherent and well-developed research plan

How to Apply
Please send the following to dawn.barrett@bbsrc.ac.uk:

Your curriculum vitae
A 2 page summary of your research plan
Three references in support of your application

The closing date for receipt of applications is Friday 4th September 2009.

You will be informed of the success or otherwise of your application by Tuesday 15th September 2009.

Asylum and Immigration Action (1996) In accordance with the Asylum and Immigration Act (1996), if you are successful in your application for a place you will be required to provide, before you start work, appropriate documentation to evidence that you are legally entitled to live and work in the UK. If you are offered a place further details about this requirement will be enclosed with the formal written offer of employment.

John Innes Centre (http://www.jic.ac.uk/) is an independent, international centre of excellence in plant science and microbiology located on the Norwich Research Park, UK. Our mission is to carry out fundamental and strategic research, to train scientists and to make our findings available to society. JIC is an integrated Bioscience Centre employing over 850 staff where a wide range of disciplines drawn from Biology, Chemistry and the Computational Sciences are used to study plants and microbes at the genetic, molecular, cellular and whole organism level. Work on organisms that are ideal for scientific research is carefully integrated with studies on economically important species.

The science programme is shared among seven research departments (http://www.jic.ac.uk/corporate/science-departments/index.htm), each working in on one broad area of science supported by smaller units, with expertise in specialised areas, providing scientific expertise, facilities and platform technologies to the Centre.

Norwich Research Park (http://www.nrp.org.uk/)
JIC is on the Norwich Research Park set in over 400 acres of parkland on the outskirts of East Anglia's historic market city, Norwich. Around 6500 research scientists and additional support staff are based on the Park, at one or more of the major NRP member organisations which includes the University of East Anglia, three independent research centres (the John Innes Centre, the Institute of Food Research and the Sainsbury Laboratory) and the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital. There is also a Bio-Incubator and a number of start-up and spin-out companies, making the NRP a vibrant place to do research. A major strength is the multi-disciplinary approach to research, due to the breadth of expertise and the synergy between the key members. Major areas of research include plant and microbial science, food research, health, the environment and information systems.

Norwich, Norfolk, UK (http://www.visitnorfolk.co.uk/)
A visit to Norfolk offers a refreshing escape from the hustle and bustle of busy Britain. Around every corner you will find pretty villages and historic churches, miles and miles of unspoilt beaches, countryside and rivers teeming with wildlife and relaxed towns and a city with wonderful shops and tempting cafes. A strong cultural heritage has seen Norwich maintain the best of its historical character whilst developing to become one of the most vibrant and attractive cities in Europe. Norwich has been a thriving trading city for the last 900 years and for much of that time was England’s second city after London. The Cathedral, the Castle, the Royal Arcade, the University of East Anglia and the Forum are all exemplars of high quality design and architecture across the ages. Major recent developments include the 42-acre Riverside leisure, retail and residential development, the £275m Chapelfield shopping development and the £229m Norfolk and Norwich Hospital. The city is consistently rated as one of the top ten shopping venues in the UK and is a founder member of the Cultural Cities Network. The city is surrounded by beautiful countryside and within easy reach of the sea. A wide variety of visitors come to the region every year to enjoy boating on the Broads, the protected nature and wildlife habitats as well as differing traditions of seaside towns.

If you require any additional information or have any questions regarding your application please do not hesitate to contact dawn.barrett@bbsrc.ac.uk