Postdoctoral Researcher Salary:37,500 - 45,350 per annum depending on qualifications and experience. Contract:3 years, full-time Location:John Innes Centre,Norwich, UK. Closing date: 25 March 2026 Reference: 1006056 An opportunity has arisen for a Postdoctoral Researcher to join the newly appointed group of Dr Hassan Salem at the John Innes Centre in the Department of Molecular Microbiology. About the John Innes Centre: The John Innes Centre is an independent, international centre of excellence in plant and microbial sciences. We nurture a creative, curiosity-led approach to answering fundamental questions in bioscience, and translate that knowledge into societal benefits.Our strategic vision,Healthy Plants, Healthy People, Healthy Planet,sets out our ambitious long-term goals for the game changing impact of our science globally. Our employees enjoy access to state-of-the-art technology and a diverse range of specialist training opportunities, including support for leadership and management.Click here to find out more about working at the John Innes Centre. About the Salem Group: The Salem Group studies the evolution, function, and adaptive consequences of herbivore-microbe symbioses. Our research focuses on how extracellularbacterial symbionts upgrade host digestive physiology, enable dietary specialization, thereby facilitating herbivory. By integrating comparative and population genomics, symbiont transcriptomics, functional genetics, microscopy, and biochemical assays, we investigate how streamlined symbiont genomes maintain host-beneficial functions, how symbiont gene expression dynamically matches host nutritional demands, and how digestive symbioses originate and persist over deep evolutionary time. Our work aims to uncover general principles governing the emergence, maintenance, and evolutionary impact of obligate mutualisms. We seek a postdoctoral researcher to lead mechanistic and multi-omics studies of obligate symbiosis, building directly on our recent work. The Role: Working as part of a team led by Dr Hassan Salem, and in collaboration across the Department of Molecular Microbiology, and the research groups of Dr.Aileen Berasategui (The Sainsbury Laboratory) and Dr. Tatsuya Nobori (The Sainsbury Laboratory) you will investigate the developmental basis of symbiosis in beetles. This role will include: Designing and conducting symbiont- and host-focused transcriptomic and genomic analyses, including tissue- and cell-type-specific approaches targeting symbiotic organs. Applying functional genetic tools to manipulate symbiont or host pathways (e.g., RNAi, heterologous expression). Reconstructing and testing symbiont-encoded metabolic pathways, linking gene content and expression to host physiology and performance. Using confocal microscopy, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), and immunostaining to localize symbionts, host tissues, and gene expression patterns. Integrating evolutionary, ecological, and functional data to understand how symbiosis shapes host diet breadth, adaptation, and diversification. Disseminating results through high-impact publications, conference presentations, and mentoring of students. The ideal Candidate: You will have a PhD (or equivalent) in evolutionary genomics, molecular biology, microbiology, entomology, chemical ecology, or a related discipline. The successful candidate will have: Experience with RNA-seq, comparative genomics, or pathway-level analyses, ideally in host-microbe systems. Experience with or strong interest in functional genetic manipulation of insects (e.g., RNAi, CRISPR). Familiarity with confocal microscopy, FISH, and/or interest in spatial gene expression methods. Strong computational skills for biological data analysis (preferably R and/or Python). Demonstrated ability to develop independent, hypothesis-driven research at the interface of evolution and mechanism. You will also have excellent communication skills, experience mentoring students or visitors, and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively in an interdisciplinary research environment. Additional information: For further information and details of how to apply, please visit our website http://jobs.jic.ac.ukor contact the Human Resources team on 01603 450814 ornbi.recruitment@nbi.ac.ukquoting reference 1006057. This role meets the criteria for a visa application, and we encourage all qualified candidates to apply. Where the successful applicant requires a visa, we will fund the costs for their visa and the Immigration Health Surcharge. Please contact the Human Resources Team if you have any questions regarding your application or visa options. We are an equal opportunities employer, actively supporting inclusivity and diversity. As a Disability Confident organisation, we guarantee to offer an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for this vacancy. We are proud to hold a prestigious Gold Athena SWAN award in recognition of our inclusive culture, commitment and good practices towards advancing of gender equality. We offer an exciting, stimulating, diverse research environment and actively promote a family friendly workplace. The Institute is also a member of Stonewall's Diversity Champions programme. The John Innes Centre is a registered charity (No. 223852) grant-aided by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council. 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