Job Description

Job opportunity!

Research Associate

Join our team to work on a set of single cell technologies which be used to investigate the interplay between nutrient and symbiosis signalling at cellular resolution in rice.

Apply by Friday 17 April 2026: https://www.cam.ac.uk/jobs/research-associate-fixed-term-pd49281

Applications are invited for a post-doctoral research associate in Presymbiotic Signalling to work with Prof Uta Paszkowski at the Crop Science Centre, starting between April and early May 2026.

The beneficial interaction of plants with endomycorrhizal fungi commences via mutual recognition in the rhizosphere. We identified a receptor complex that is required for perception of beneficial fungi by plants [Gutjahr, Gobbato et al., Science (2015), Choi et al., Nat Commun 2020], as well as for plant development. Recent data suggest that this signalling pathway integrates plant nutrient status with the competence to engage with the beneficial fungi, integrating systemic and local signalling cues. In the projected work, a set of single cell technologies will be used to investigate the interplay between nutrient and symbiosis signalling at cellular resolution in rice.

Applicants must have a solid background in plant genetics and genomics and be proficient in bioinformatics for large data analysis; available knowledge in plant physiology would be advantageous.

To apply, please email a CV, publications list, a CHRIS/6 (parts I and III only) and the names and contact details (including email addresses) of 3 referees to Prof Paszkowski at up220@cam.ac.uk. More information and forms can be found at: http://www.plantsci.cam.ac.uk/jobs/index.html

The closing date for applications is 17 April 2026.

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available until 31 October 2027 in the first instance.

Click the ‘Apply’ button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.

If you have not received any response 1 month after the closing date you should consider your application to be unsuccessful.

Please quote reference PD49281 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.