An opportunity has arisen for a Postdoctoral Researcher to join the newly appointed group of Dr Hassan Salem at the John Innes Centre in the Department of Molecular Microbiology.

About the Salem Group:

The Salem Group studies the evolution, function, and adaptive consequences of herbivore–microbe symbioses. Our research focuses on how extracellular bacterial symbionts upgrade host digestive physiology, enable dietary specialization, thereby facilitating herbivory.

By integrating comparative and population genomics, symbiont transcriptomics, functional genetics, microscopy, and biochemical assays, we investigate how streamlined symbiont genomes maintain host-beneficial functions, how symbiont gene expression dynamically matches host nutritional demands, and how digestive symbioses originate and persist over deep evolutionary time. Our work aims to uncover general principles governing the emergence, maintenance, and evolutionary impact of obligate mutualisms.

We seek a postdoctoral researcher to lead mechanistic and multi-omics studies of obligate symbiosis, building directly on our recent work.

The Role:

Working as part of a team led by Dr Hassan Salem, and in collaboration across the Department of Molecular Microbiology, and the research groups of Dr. Aileen Berasategui (The Sainsbury Laboratory) and Dr. Tatsuya Nobori (The Sainsbury Laboratory) you will investigate the developmental basis of symbiosis in beetles.

This role will include:

• Designing and conducting symbiont- and host-focused transcriptomic and genomic analyses, including tissue- and cell-type–specific approaches targeting symbiotic organs.
• Applying functional genetic tools to manipulate symbiont or host pathways (e.g., RNAi, heterologous expression).
• Reconstructing and testing symbiont-encoded metabolic pathways, linking gene content and expression to host physiology and performance.
• Using confocal microscopy, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), and immunostaining to localize symbionts, host tissues, and gene expression patterns.
• Integrating evolutionary, ecological, and functional data to understand how symbiosis shapes host diet breadth, adaptation, and diversification.
• Disseminating results through high-impact publications, conference presentations, and mentoring of students.

The ideal Candidate:

You will have a PhD (or equivalent) in evolutionary genomics, molecular biology, microbiology, entomology, chemical ecology, or a related discipline.

The successful candidate will have:

• Experience with RNA-seq, comparative genomics, or pathway-level analyses, ideally in host–microbe systems.
• Experience with or strong interest in functional genetic manipulation of insects (e.g., RNAi, CRISPR).
• Familiarity with confocal microscopy, FISH, and/or interest in spatial gene expression methods.
• Strong computational skills for biological data analysis (preferably R and/or Python).
• Demonstrated ability to develop independent, hypothesis-driven research at the interface of evolution and mechanism.
• You will also have excellent communication skills, experience mentoring students or visitors, and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively in an interdisciplinary research environment.

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 1006057.

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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