Research Associate at University of Sheffield

Contract type: Fixed term with a start date of as soon as possible, and an end date of 31 October 2024.

The Grantham ‘Double 100 Challenge’ was launched in 2022 to advance our ability to capture and store atmospheric CO2. The challenge was to propose a novel research idea with the potential to remove 100 million tonnes of carbon out of the atmosphere at US$100 or less per tonne. Because of the urgency of the situation, the successful project was also required to have the potential to be commercialised in the near future.

This Grantham Foundation funded project proposes a biological solution; to harness nature’s greatest carbon capture technology: photosynthesis. Working with the principal investigator you will explore ways of producing plants with enhanced carbon drawdown and implement this technology into crops – helping farms to serve as more efficient carbon sinks to help curb climate change. It is hoped that these photosynthetic improvements could also increase agricultural productivity, enabling this carbon capture technology to help maintain global food security, as well as actively mitigate climate change which threatens it.

Applicants must have a PhD (or experience in a relevant field) along with significant scientific experience acquired through application in a working environment in growth and analysis of transgenic plants, Arabidopsis and rice gene expression, measuring photosynthesis, and stomatal gas exchange.

We’re one of the best not-for-profit organisations to work for in the UK. The University’s Total Reward Package includes a competitive salary, a generous Pension Scheme and annual leave entitlement, as well as access to a range of learning and development courses to support your personal and professional development.

We build teams of people from different heritages and lifestyles from across the world, whose talent and contributions complement each other to greatest effect. We believe diversity in all its forms delivers greater impact through research, teaching and student experience.

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