Senior Postdoctoral Researcher

Funding End Date 30 Sep 2035 Hours per week 37 Project Title Exploration of the application of AI tools in understanding the co-transcriptional and post-transcriptional gene regulations. Months Duration 60

Conduct an internationally competitive research project to establish plant AI methods that are applicable to a range of plant processes. This will involve developing RNA and DNA foundation models and the investigation of functional elements in RNA sequence, sequence/structure motifs.
The first focus will be on the dissection of co‑transcriptional and post‑transcriptional regulation where RNA structure plays a significant role. The post‑holder will be monitoring a fast‑moving international field and keeping the Ding group and JIC on the front edge of this technology. They will maintain a very close interaction with experimentalists/researchers in the Ding lab ensuring that the predictions can be validated experimentally.
The Senior Postdoctoral Researcher will deputise for the Group Leader when needed. They will also contribute to the smooth running of the group, including the effective use of resources, budget management, supervision of visitors to the laboratory and assisting with training others, encouraging scientific excellence.

Yiliang Ding is the PI of the group, but this encompasses three sub‑groups with different scientific goals. The post‑holder will report to Yiliang Ding but themselves be responsible for daily supervision of 1–3 PhD students who are in the Ding AI team. They will also provide daily support and supervision to other members of the group, this could include PhD students, postdocs and short‑term visiting workers.

They will also interact with the 9 experimentalists in the Ding lab, through weekly group meetings and daily discussions, plus with Dr Govind Menon (in the Dean group) on the computational modelling of the system. They will need to interface with other JIC/TSL research groups who want to adopt this AI technology, and staff of the computational platforms of the Norwich Research Park eg Earlham Institute and Data Centre.

The post‑holder will travel to international meetings to maintain and initiate research collaborations.

Percentage Run an independent sub‑group developing AI technology, to involve development of plant biology RNA/DNA foundation models. Daily supervision of between 1–3 computational PhD students who will be identifying next steps, troubleshooting, writing reports and giving regular group meetings and departmental seminars. Continually liaise with other sub‑leaders and with PI Yiliang Ding 60
Represent Y Ding at international meetings and liaise with collaborators in labs around the world. 10
Interact efficiently with Dean Lab/Govind Menon 10
Interact with experimentalists to ensure seamless integration of AI predictions and correct experimental validation – and rapid publication 10
Prepare fellowship and grant applications to support the work 5
Be fully up to speed with all relevant literature 5
Be the first port of call for day‑to‑day computational issues 5
As agreed with the line manager, any other duties commensurate with the nature of the post, for example, contributing to the work of Institute committees 5

Requirement Importance PhD (full award or expected within 6 months) or equivalent in computational biology and bioinformatics Essential AI RNA/DNA foundation model research experience Essential

Requirement Importance AI and RNA biology research expertise Essential Experience in RNA structure and AI RNA background Essential
Requirement Importance Experience of oral research presentations Essential Demonstrated ability to perform research and develop novel ideas in the areas of AI and RNA biology Essential Experience of supervising, training and mentoring visitors and students Essential Proven record in scientific writing Essential Substantial experience of conducting effective research at postdoctoral level Essential Recent experience of managing a laboratory when the PI is away Essential…