Postdoctoral Researcher – Wenbo Ma group

The Sainsbury Laboratory (TSL), Norwich, United Kingdom
Application review starts 1 September 2026

The Wenbo Ma Lab at TSL is seeking two highly motivated postdoctoral researchers (one experimental & one bioinformatics) to join our team. Funded by the ERC-Advanced grant “sRNA-Defense”, these positions focus on understanding fundamental biology of small RNA-based plant immunity and applying this knowledge to crop disease resistance.

This is an excellent opportunity to contribute to internationally leading, curiosity‑driven research while engaging with translational efforts aimed at improving disease resistance in crops.

Successful candidates will work in a world‑class research environment and interact closely with colleagues at TSL, as well as national and international collaborators. Opportunities for engagement with industrial partners will also be offered to provide a strong translational dimension and appeal to candidates considering diverse career paths beyond traditional academia.

We value open science, collaboration, and creative, hypothesis‑driven research. The lab has a strong track record of fostering multidisciplinary projects and supporting the career development of early‑career researchers. Teamwork and collaboration are central to the lab culture.

Key Responsibilities

• Take ownership of defined research projects and work collaboratively with lab members.
• Design and execute research using genetics, molecular biology, cell biology, computational biology, structural biology, and genomics approaches.

• Contribute to the dissemination of research through publications, presentations, and engagement with academic and industrial collaborators.

Requirements Essential

• A PhD degree in a Bioinformatics, Genomics, Plant Science or closely-related field.

• A strong track record of peer-reviewed original research publication.

• Strong organisational, interpersonal, and communication skills.

• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a multi-disciplinary research environment.

• The bioinformatician candidate should have extensive experiences in computational analysis of omics data and high-performance computing environments.

Desirable

• Experience with RNA biology and/or plant immunity.

Appointment Details

• Contract: Initially offered for 48 months, with a flexible start date.
• Salary: University of East Anglia (UEA) Research & Analogous Grade 7, up to £46,485 pa, depending on experience.
• Visa: Some applicants may be eligible for sponsorship under the UK Skilled Worker Visa route; eligibility will be assessed on an individual basis

How to apply

Please apply online via this page and submit a single PDF containing:

1. A CV (maximum 2 pages)
2. Contact details for 2–3 referees
3. A cover letter (maximum 1 page) outlining your motivation and career goals

Please quote the reference code: WM2026-01

Closing date: Applications will be reviewed from 1st September 2026 onwards and the positions will remain open until suitable candidates are appointed.