Postdoctoral scholarship, two years, in Plant Developmental Biology
Umeå Plant Science Centre (UPSC) is one of Europe's strongest research environments for basic plant research. Research at UPSC covers a wide range of disciplines in plant biology, including ecology, genetics, physiology, biochemistry, cell biology and molecular biology (see http://www.upsc.se ).
The postdoctoral scholarship will be placed at the Department of Plant Physiology, part of Umeå Plant Science Centre. Our common goal is to understand the ability of plants to adapt and acclimate to a changing world.
We seek a highly motivated candidate for the project “Deciphering the role of two transcription factors from the WOX family in controlling adventitious root initiation in Arabidopsis hypocotyl” in Professor Catherine Bellini's research group.
The Carl Tryggers Foundation (CTS) funds this two-year postdoctoral scholarship. The scholarship amounts to 336 000 SEK per year. The scholarship is not subject to tax. CTS also funds 100 000 SEK per year of running costs. The PI covers the additional running costs for the project.
The scholarship refers to full-time studies for two years, starting November 1, 2024 or according to agreement.
Project description
Plants display a unique regenerative capacity widely exploited in modern agriculture, where elite genotypes are vegetatively propagated through stem cuttings. A critical point for successful propagation entails the development of adventitious roots (AR). This post-embryonic de novo organogenesis program enables plants to propagate and adapt to the surrounding environment clonally. Interconnected transcriptional and hormonal networks control adventitious root initiation (ARI), but the underlying genetic and molecular bases orchestrating these networks have long remained unclear. We used the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana to decipher the molecular mechanisms controlling ARI. We identified several transcription regulators integrating auxin, jasmonate and cytokinin signalling pathways.
We proposed a model in which adventitious rooting is an adaptive developmental response at the cross-talk of several hormones' regulatory pathways. Among the genes of interest, we identified two transcription factors from the WOX family, which role we propose characterising in this project. We will use an integrative approach, including genetics, molecular biology, and protein biochemistry, to investigate the function of the WOX genes during the AR development process in Arabidopsis hypocotyl. We propose to go a step further to understand the role of these transcription factors better and identify the downstream targets involved in the repression of AR initiation.
Qualifications
To qualify as a postdoctoral scholarship holder, the postdoctoral fellow is required to have completed a doctoral degree or a foreign degree deemed equivalent to a doctoral degree. This qualification requirements must be fulfilled no later than at the time of the decision about scholarship recipient. Priority should be given to candidates who completed their doctoral degree, according to what is stipulated in the paragraph above, no later than three years prior. If there are special reasons, candidates who completed their doctoral degree prior to that may also be eligible. Special reasons include absence due to illness, parental leave, appointments of trust in trade union organizations, military service, or similar circumstances, as well as clinical practice or other forms of appointment/assignment relevant to the subject area.
The successful candidate will have a PhD or equivalent in plant genetics, plant molecular biology, or plant developmental biology.
Strong experience in plant genetics, standard molecular biology techniques, plant physiology and developmental biology is required. Excellent oral and writing skills in English are required.
Good knowledge of cell biology and confocal microscopy would be appreciated. The postdoctoral scholar is expected to have good social skills and the ability to function well independently and in a team. We value creativity and the ability to communicate and take initiative.
Application
The application should contain:
A personal letter, max two pages, that describes your qualifications, research interests, and motivation for the application.
CV with complete publication list
Verified copy of doctoral degree certificate or documentation that clarifies when the degree of doctor is expected to be obtained.
Verified copies of other diplomas, list of completed academic courses and grades,
Copy of doctoral thesis,
The contact information of two referees, submitted during a possible interview.
Other documents wished to be claimed.
Your complete application, marked with reference number FS 2.1.6-1412-24, must be submitted as a pdf document to medel@diarie.umu.se (state the reference number as the subject) at the latest September 16, 2024.
