KTP Research Associate in Bioinformatics and Advanced Genomics

As an enthusiastic researcher, this is a career-development opportunity for you to manage a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP). Through the KTP, you will deliver a high-profile, commercially strategic project that will enable NZN to bring new, research-led bioinformatics knowledge essential for building a ‘Toolbox’ of knowledge to optimise their product formulations that give reproducible benefits to farmers year on year.

You will have the opportunity to demonstrate your ability to develop innovative solutions and communicate complex information to a variety of audiences within NZN and its stakeholders.

You should hold a PhD (or close to completion) in microbiology, molecular biology, bioinformatics, or a related life science discipline, or equivalent relevant expertise. We are looking for a candidate with experience in microbial culture and molecular techniques, alongside a basic competence in computational analysis. Familiarity with RNASeq, pan-genome analysis, and plant-microbe interaction studies is essential.

As a people-orientated individual, you will have the ability to influence and engage collaboratively with NZN, UoN and other stakeholders. As a proactive person, you will have the passion and desire for creating something new, be enthusiastic and motivated to organise your own time effectively and have a flexible approach to prioritising work tasks.

Working in partnership with academic experts (Dr Adam Blanchard and Dr Nicholas Girkin) in bioinformatics covering plant-microbe interactions, microbial genomics, RNASeq and nitrogen cycling in plants, you will lead a strategic project to develop cost-effective, sustainable biostimulants and biofertilizers optimised to be robust and reliable and replace environmentally damaging synthetic nitrogen fertilizers.

Net Zero Nitrogen  (NZN) is a UK-based biotechnology company founded in 2021 that aims to eliminate synthetic nitrogen fertilizer emissions. Key aspects of their work include non-GMO bacterial biofertilizers, field tests focused on rice, and reducing farming costs.