Research Assistant / Research Associate (Fixed Term)

We are looking for a post-doctoral researcher to join a BBSRC funded project exploring the development of insect-mimicking petal spots in Gorteria diffusa. This South African daisy produces complex three dimensional spots on its ray florets that attract male flies for sexually deceptive pollination. We have been studying the development and evolution of these spots for several years, and have a range of resources available including genome sequence, multiple transcriptomic datasets and a reliable transformation protocol. You will join the project to undertake work analysing candidate genes for the regulation of the spot. Experimental approaches will include molecular and microscopical analysis of transgenic lines, generation of constructs for new transgenic lines, laser capture of tissues early in development for gene expression analysis and yeast-based approaches to explore protein-protein and protein-promoter interactions.

You will work as part of a project team including a transformation technician, a final year PhD student and a second incoming postdoc focused on genomic analysis to understand petal spot evolution.