Bioinformatician

Funding End Date 30 Sep 2035 Hours per week 37 Project Title Genome wide in vivo study on the role of RNA structure in response to stress Expected/Ideal Start Date 02 Sep 2026 Months Duration 36 Interview Date 06 May 2026

Job Description

Applicants are invited to apply for a Postdoctoral Researcher position in the group of Prof. Yiliang Ding in the Department of Cell and Developmental Biology to study the role of RNA structure in gene regulation and gene expression. We are seeking an outstanding and highly motivated researcher to join the group of Professor Yiliang Ding at the John Innes Centre (JIC), Norwich, UK. The successful candidate will lead an internationally competitive research programme focused on the development and application of plant specific artificial intelligence (AI) and bioinformatic approaches to understand RNA mediated gene regulation. This role will involve the design, development, and application of next generation AI models for RNA, with a particular emphasis on uncovering functional sequence and structural motifs, particularly RNA splicing and export mechanisms governed by RNA structure and dynamics. You will work at the interface of AI, RNA biology, and plant sciences, contributing to a rapidly evolving research direction that aims to decode regulatory principles across multiple biological scales.

Main Purpose of the Job

The role involves the design, development, and application of next generation AI models for RNA and DNA, with a particular emphasis on uncovering functional sequence and structural motifs, and a key focus on RNA splicing and export mechanisms governed by RNA structure and dynamics. The successful candidate will work closely with experimental researchers in the Ding lab to ensure tight integration between computational predictions and experimental validation, enabling rapid hypothesis testing and high impact publications.

Key Relationships

• Collaborate extensively with experimentalists in the Ding lab
• Engage with computational partners across the Norwich Research Park (NRP)
• Build connections with international collaborators in RNA biology, AI, and plant science

Main Activities & Responsibilities

• Deep sequencing, data management, data analysis, and feature extraction from large scale biological datasets (30%)
• Novel algorithm and AI development for presenting and analysing RNA structure, and related software solution implementation (30%)
• Establish novel bioinformatics analysis pipelines for newly collected transcriptome data (15%)
• Interact with lab collaborators, the NBI bioinformatics research community; prepare and present research results, presentations, reports and manuscripts; attend internal and external meetings (15%)
• As agreed with line manager, any other duties commensurate with the nature of the role (10%)

Person Profile - Education & Qualifications

Requirement importance: PhD in Computer Science, Applied Mathematics, Biology, or Bioinformatics (Essential)

Specialist Knowledge & Skills

• Understanding of data driven algorithm design and related software solution implementation (Essential)
• Understanding of analysing big biological datasets (Essential)
• Proficiency in computer programming, e.g., Java, Python, or C (Essential)
• Proficiency in statistical analysis on big datasets using R or MATLAB (Essential)
• Modelling and simulation (Desirable)
• Data driven algorithm design (Desirable)
• Data mining, machine learning (Desirable)
• Experience in computational RNA genomics data analysis (Essential)
• Strong experience in computational biology skills and machine learning applied to RNA/DNA research, particularly RNA structure (Desirable)
• Extensive experience in data mining (Desirable)
• Extensive experience in genomic data analysis (Desirable)

Interpersonal & Communication Skills

• Evidence of intellectual independence, rigour and creativity (Essential)
• Experience of oral presentation to scientific audiences (Essential)
• Good communication skills, both written and verbal (Essential)
• Good interpersonal skills, with the ability to work well as part of a team (Essential)
• Ability to work well in a team (Essential)

Additional Requirements

• Willingness to embrace the expected values and behaviours of all staff at the Institute, ensuring a great place to work (Essential)
• Attention to detail (Essential)
• Promotes equality and values diversity (Essential)
• Able to present a positive image of self and the Institute, promoting both the international reputation and public engagement aims (Essential)
• Willingness to work outside standard working hours when required (Essential)
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and security of information where appropriate (Essential)

About the John Innes Centre

The John Innes Centre is an independent, international centre of excellence in plant and microbial genetics, carrying out fundamental and strategic research, to train scientists and making our findings available to society. We pride ourselves on being a welcoming and inclusive working environment for all, with a diverse and multicultural scientific community. The Institute is a registered charity (No. 223852), limited by guarantee (registered in England No. 511709).

The Ding Group

The Ding group develops cutting edge experimental and computational technologies to uncover how RNA structure controls transcription, RNA processing, translation, and degradation. The group combines in vivo RNA structuromics, single molecule approaches, and artificial intelligence to reveal fundamental regulatory mechanisms and translate them into applications in crop resilience and RNA therapeutics.

Salary, Contract and Location

• Salary: £37,500 - £45,350 per annum, depending on qualifications and experience
• Contract: 36 months, full time
• Location: John Innes Centre, Norwich, UK
• Closing date: 24 April 2026
• Reference:

Interview Process

Interviews are planned for 6 May 2026.

Equal Opportunities

The John Innes Centre is an equal opportunities employer, actively supporting inclusivity and diversity. We are a Disability Confident organisation and guarantee to offer an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria. We hold a prestigious Gold Athena SWAN award and are a member of Stonewall's Diversity Champions programme.