Research Laboratory Technician (Fixed Term)

An exciting opportunity is available for 2 Research Laboratory Technicians to join the group of Prof. Jake Harris at the Department of Plant Sciences. The laboratory is situated on the Downing Site in Cambridge and houses state of the art facilities. The post is part of a pioneering effort to generate fully synthetic plant chromosomes, funded by the Advanced Research + Invention Agency (ARIA). The primary model organism is the green yeast, Physcomitrium patens, with potential for development in computational aspects and organisational pipelines.

• Support and perform routine and advanced molecular biology techniques including cloning, PCR, gel electrophoresis, DNA purification, restriction reactions, ligation reactions, Gibson assembly, bacterial transformation, culture, plasmid purification, and Sanger sequencing.
• Conduct genotyping tasks such as collecting material, genomic DNA extraction, PCR, and gel electrophoresis.
• Carry out genetic transformations and general plant husbandry and maintenance.
• Deal with plant cell suspension and culture.
• Assist in developing computational aspects and organisational pipelines.

• Degree or equivalent qualification in a relevant subject.
• Experience working with Physcomitrium patens or other non vascular plants.
• Experience with plant cell culture and suspension.
• Willingness to learn and prior laboratory experience.
• Strong organisational and time management skills.
• Positive attitude and good team spirit.
• Evidence of successful teamwork to achieve well defined project goals.

Fixed term: The funds for this post are for 1.5 years in the first instance.

Once an offer of employment has been accepted, a health assessment will be required.

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