Main Purpose of the Job

The accessibility of water and nutrients for plants is becoming a challenge for the further development of sustainable agriculture in the context of climate change. The engineering of root architectures can facilitate the adaptation of plants to the fast change of climate. To do so, we used and developed engineering biology technology (mainly integrases) in A. thaliana.

The Postdoctoral Research Scientist will lead the project on engineer root architecture via cell fate-specific integrase switches. Using as a starting point previously generated A. thaliana transgenic line, the Postdoctoral Researcher will first aim to engineer A. thaliana with deeper root architecture to reach deeper sources of water via cell fate-specific integrase switches. Following from this, the aim is to engineer root architectures to adapt to various environmental conditions such as soil stratum of different compositions, extreme climate events, and to engineer plant-microbe communication.

Key Relationships

The post-holder will be embedded within the Guiziou group, working with team members, as well as across other faculty groups as appropriate for the project and skills development.
 

Main Activities & Responsibilities

Percentage

Conduct individual and collaborative research projects according to the overall needs of the research program.

70

Assist in the training and supervision of students.

15

Attend collaboration, department meetings and conferences; prepare presentations, reports and manuscripts.

10

As agreed with line manager, any other duties commensurate with the nature of the role.

5

Education & Qualifications

Requirement

Importance

A PhD in molecular biology, plant biology, bo-engineering, or a related subject

Essential

Specialist Knowledge & Skills

Requirement

Importance

Interest in developing engineering biology tools to engineer plant development

Essential

Knowledge and expertise in plant biology

Essential

Knowledge and understanding of engineering biology approaches

Desirable

Excellent problem-solving skills with the ability to solve problems with numerous and complex variables

Desirable

Relevant Experience

Requirement

Importance

Experience in general molecular biology protocols and molecular cloning/DNA assembly

Essential

Experience in the production and characterisation of transgenic Arabidopsis plants

Essential

Experience in training others in laboratory methods

Essential

Demonstrated ability to work independently, using initiative and applying problem-solving skills

Essential

Experience in microscopy

Desirable

Interpersonal & Communication Skills

Requirement

Importance

Excellent communication skills, both written and oral, including the ability to present complex information with clarity

Essential

Experience writing scientific papers

Essential

Excellent time management and organisational skills

Essential

Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to work as part of a team

Essential

Additional Requirements

Requirement

Importance

Attention to detail

Essential

Willingness to embrace the expected values and behaviours of all staff at the Institute, ensuring it is a great place to work

Essential

Able to present a positive image of self and the Institute, promoting both the international reputation and public engagement aims of the Institute

Essential

Willingness to work outside standard working hours when required

Essential

Ability to undertake occasional travel (national and international) related to collaborations and/or seminars

Essential

Promotes equality and values diversity

Essential

Earlham Institute

About the Earlham Institute
The Earlham Institute is a hub of life science research, training, and innovation focused on understanding the natural world through the lens of genomics.

We are building a future where the biology of any organism can be understood by analysing its genome. Our mission is to decode the scale and complexity of living systems so we can understand, benefit from, and protect life on Earth.

The Earlham Institute is based on the Norwich Research Park and is one of eight institutes that receive strategic funding from the UKRI Biotechnology and Biological Science Research Council (BBSRC).

Our Science
Earlham Institute scientists specialise in developing and testing the latest tools and approaches needed to decode living systems and make predictions about biology.

We are home to state-of-the-art facilities and technology, creating a unique combination of expertise and infrastructure. We have dedicated laboratories for genome sequencing, single-cell analysis, engineering biology, and large-scale automation; as well as one of the largest supercomputing facilities for life science research in Europe. Our Advanced Training team also provides access to specialised scientific training to upskill the next generation of research and technical staff.

Our Culture
The Earlham Institute champions 'team science'. Our collegiate and innovative research environment comes with significant support, including a commitment to your professional development, research and administrative assistance, and opportunities to build collaborations with scientists and industry on the Norwich Research Park, across the UK, and internationally.

The Institute is also home to talented technical and operational staff, whose invaluable contributions enable our science to have the maximum impact. We aim to recognise, reward, and develop all staff and students so that every individual feels able to achieve their best with us.

We work hard to nurture an engaged and positive workplace, centred on core values that include openness, technical excellence, and collaboration. We attract staff from around the world who contribute to - and benefit from - an environment that enables them to deliver world-class science alongside a supportive and social community.

For more information about working at the Earlham Institute, please click here.

Further Information:

Our Vision and Mission

Our Strategy

Our Culture

Life at Earlham Institute

Department

Research Faculty

Group Details

The Postdoctoral Research Scientist will join the Guiziou group at the Earlham Institute as part of her Future Leader Fellowship project.
The Guiziou group aims to elucidate and engineer plant development and plant-microbe interactions for sustainable agriculture and is currently composed of two PDRAs (one working on microbes and one on plants) and one PhD student. The group’s research fits into the Earlham Institute’s scientific focus on engineering biology, and works closely with other Engineering Biology groups, such as the Earlham biofoundry (sharing lab space and journal club) and Dr Will Shaw (sharing lab meeting as well). The Postdoctoral Research Scientist will work on the group’s projects related to engineering plant root architecture using integrase-based technology and will have the support of Dr Roza Bilas, PDRA in the group, who is developing integrase-based technology in Arabidopsis thaliana to decode lateral root development. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to mentor undergraduate student (for summer placement or bachelor's thesis).

Living in Norfolk

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Postdoctoral Research Scientist (Plant Engineering Biology)

Applications are invited for a Postdoctoral Research Scientist to join the Laboratory of Dr Sarah Guiziou, and more generally the engineering biology consortium of the Earlham Institute, based in Norwich, UK. This position is funded by Dr Sarah Guiziou’s UKRI Future Leader Fellowship.

Background:
To improve the sustainability of agriculture in the context of climate change, there is a need for a better understanding of root development and a need to develop tools for its engineering. Root architectures are essential to the plant to allow efficient access to water and nutrients. Engineering biology provides innovative solutions to engineer root development at a cell type-specific level and in response to environmental stressors.

We developed integrase-based circuits allowing the tracking of the order of gene expression during development at the single-cell resolution in the plant model A. thaliana (Maranas et al, 2024). And we are currently applying this integrase-based technology to develop a dynamic cell-lineage tracing method in plants.

This project aims to develop integrase circuits to engineer root architecture, such as deeper root architecture to reach deeper sources of water (Guiziou 2024). Some Arabidopsis lines have been generated for this project and will serve as a starting point for the Postdoctoral researcher project.

Maranas al. A history-dependent integrase recorder of plant gene expression with single cell resolution. Guiziou. Biocomputing in plants, from proof of concept to application. 

The role:

The Postdoctoral Research Scientist project consists of engineering root architecture via cell fate-specific integrase switches.
This post requires plant biology expertise and/or engineering biology expertise. The post holder will receive training in engineering biology, microscopy, and data analysis as required. The post holder will have the possibility to bring their expertise and ideas to the project and to mentor undergraduate and graduate students. The post holder will be provided with bespoke training from Earlham Institute’s research faculty, will fully engage in our research environment, and will have access to core skills training and all scientific facilities (e.g. biofoundry, microscopy facility, glasshouse).

The ideal candidate:

We seek to appoint a well-trained, enthusiastic and self-motivated scientist with experience in plant biology and/or engineering biology. The post-holder should hold a PhD/DPhil in biology, bioengineering, or biochemistry before commencing this position. Good organisational skills and the ability to communicate and work productively within a multidisciplinary team will be crucial. An interest in engineering biology and experience in plant biology and molecular biology will be essential.

Additional information:
Salary on appointment will be within the range £36,540 to £40,600 per annum depending on qualifications and experience. The position is available full-time with flexible working hours and part-time work possible, for a contract of 22 months.
Interviews will be held on 7th May 2026.

This role meets the criteria for a visa application, and we encourage all qualified candidates to apply.  Please contact the Human Resources Team if you have any questions regarding your application or visa options.

As a Disability Confident employer, we guarantee to offer an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for this vacancy.

The closing date for applications will be 23 April 2026.