Researcher on Barley-Centred Genome Editing and Cisgenesis Technologies

at  Teagasc

Location: Oak Park Research Centre, Teagasc, Carlow, R93 XE12
Research
Salary: SFI Experienced Post Doc Researcher (Level 2B) with a Salary Scale of €52,194 to €56,764
Closing Date: 23/09/2024 12:00 PM
Funded Full Time

QUALIFICATIONS

• Ph.D. in biology, or a related discipline.
• Demonstrated research and technical expertise in designing transformation vectors and plasmids, conducting tissue culture and plant transformation experiments
• Evidence of research activity (publications, conference presentations, awards) and future scholarly output (working papers, research proposals etc)
• Excellent project management, report writing and data analysis skills
• Evidence of stakeholder engagement
• Evidence of teamwork and collaboration with seed industry

KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS

• Ability to generate new ideas, unique concepts, models and solutions
• Demonstrated bioinformatics skills in a crop species to design CRISPR/Cas reagents and cisgenes
• Excellent writing skills as demonstrated by track record in excellent and recognized peer-referred scientific journals in the field
• Experience in setting own research agenda
• Experience with applying new breeding techniques (NBTs) to Poaceae species is highly desirable
• Knowledge of genotype-independent plant transformation is highly desirable

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES SPECIFIC TO THIS PROJECT:

• Establish a genotype-independent barley genetic transformation technology platform capable of delivering CRISPR/Cas reagents and cisgenes
• Update the Teagasc genome editing toolkit
• Advance cisgenesis technology towards generation of gene Copy Number Variation (CNV)
• Fine tune biological processes by engineering “loss-of-function” (LOF) and “gain-of-function” (GOF) gene allelic series
• Showcasing the project technological concepts and capabilities through generation of unique genetic variation in barley Nitrogen Use Efficiency (NUE) and Barley Yellow Dwarf Virus disease resistance
• Collaborate with other team members in the Future Cereals project
• Support specific project management activities of the Future Cereals project

ADDITIONAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• To interpret research findings and prepare scientific and popular press publications
• To disseminate research findings to a variety of audiences as appropriate
• To assist Teagasc in meeting the commitments of the Quality Customer Service Charter and Action Plan
• To comply with all relevant Teagasc policies and procedures
• To fully co-operate with the provisions made for ensuring the health, safety and welfare of themselves, fellow staff and non-Teagasc staff and co-operate with management in enabling Teagasc to comply with legal obligations. This includes full compliance with the responsibilities outlined in the Safety Statement
• To take up additional duties as they may arise and be assigned by management
• This job specification is intended as a guide to the general range of duties and is intended to be neither definitive nor restrictive. It will be reviewed from time to time with the post holder.