An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Postdoctoral Researcher to join the newly starting Schreier group at the John Innes Centre, working on cutting-edge science in the field of photosynthesis research and cell biology.

Our employees enjoy access to state-of-the-art technology and a diverse range of specialist training opportunities, including support for leadership and management. Click here to find out more about working at the John Innes Centre.

About the Schreier Group
This post holder will be based in Tina Schreier’s group, in the Crop Genetics department of the John Innes Centre.
The Schreier group is a newly establishing research group (starting July 2026) focused on the cell biology of C4 photosynthesis. The group’s current research has several sub-objectives:
• Unravelling the cellular and molecular mechanisms that establish C4 bundle sheath architecture
• Assessing the contribution of individual cellular architectural features to building an effective carbon concentrating mechanism in C4 plants
• Understanding how bundle sheath cell architecture evolved across independent C4 evolutionary events

This knowledge will be essential for the developmental of leaf architecture in C4 plants that will inform design strategies for engineering C4 photosynthesis into C3 crops to increase yield.

Our team will be multidisciplinary and will maintain a vibrant, stimulating and supportive research atmosphere. We aim to recruit multiple postdoctoral scientists, postgraduate students and research assistants. We will also regularly host projects for undergraduate students. We collaborate with other research groups at JIC, as well those based at other institutes within the UK and abroad.

The role
We are looking for a highly motivated Postdoctoral Researcher who will work as a part of the ERC-funded research grant CELL4 “Form for function: regulation of bundle sheath cell architecture for C4 photosynthesis” to identify novel molecular factors determining bundle sheath cell polarity in C4 grasses Sorghum and maize. The two main architectural traits of bundle sheath cells being explored is the polar placement of organelles towards one end of the cell, and the placement of plasmodesmata at the other.

Depending on interests and experience, the postholder can focus on either trait, or the links between both. However, the approaches will be similar, as the goal is to look for polarity determining mechanisms. For both traits, we have identified candidate proteins involved in the process.

The postholder will contribute to elucidating their roles, as well as using protein-protein interaction approaches to discover important molecular players that might establish polarity, which can be further characterised using genetics. The successful candidate will therefore develop and apply a range of methods such as molecular biology, genetics/genome editing techniques and protein-protein interaction studies. They must be collaborative and excited to work as part of an interdisciplinary and diverse team, have excellent oral and written communication skills, and strong organisational and time management skills.

Additional information

For further information and details of how to apply can be found here or contact the Human Resources team on 01603 450814 or nbi.recruitment@nbi.ac.uk quoting reference 1006112.

This role meets the criteria for a visa application, and we encourage all qualified candidates to apply. Where the successful applicant requires a visa, we will fund the costs for their visa and the Immigration Health Surcharge. Please contact the Human Resources Team if you have any questions regarding your application or visa options.

We are an equal opportunities employer, actively supporting inclusivity and diversity.  As a Disability Confident organisation, we guarantee to offer an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for this vacancy. We are proud to hold a prestigious Gold Athena SWAN award in recognition of our inclusive culture, commitment and good practices towards advancing of gender equality. We offer an exciting, stimulating, diverse research environment and actively promote a family friendly workplace. The Institute is also a member of Stonewall’s Diversity Champions programme.

The John Innes Centre is a registered charity (No. 223852) grant-aided by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council.

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