Postdoc Position on Plant Autophagy for Crop Improvement
Postdoc Position on Plant Autophagy for Crop Improvement
SLU - Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences - Department of Plant Biology
Uppsala, Sweden
Position/project:
A postdoctoral position is available in the group of Professor Daniel Hofius at the Department of Plant Biology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) in Uppsala, Sweden. Research in the Hofius lab focuses on the molecular mechanisms of autophagy, a conserved degradation and recycling process required for cellular homeostasis and stress responses. The project builds on our previous findings in the Arabidopsis model system that autophagy plays a paramount role in plant growth, fitness, and immunity. We now aim to investigate autophagy mechanisms and functions in a crop plant setting and explore whether autophagy modulation via CRISPR-Cas genome editing can be utilized to improve productivity and resilience traits. The work will apply genetic, cell biological, biochemical, and physiological approaches in potato and utilize proteomics-based profiling of autophagy-related interactomes to identify new regulators as targets for autophagy manipulation. The planned research complements an ongoing PhD project in the lab and includes a close collaboration with Assoc. Prof. Mariette Andersson and Assoc. Prof. Per Hofvander at SLU and SolEdits AB in Alnarp, Sweden.
Qualifications:
We are looking for a highly motivated candidate with a PhD degree in molecular biology, molecular genetics, functional genomics, cell biology or related topics that the employer considers equivalent. Applicants should have a strong background in plant molecular biology and a competitive track record with previous scientific output such as a first author article. Experience in proteomics and other “omics” techniques is greatly valued and prior work with autophagy-related methods, confocal microscopy, phenotyping, and tissue culture are further assets. The postdoc is expected to be a team player and enthusiastically drive a research project with strong initiative, creativity and independent thinking. Excellent communication skills in both oral and written scientific English are expected. Since postdoctoral appointments are career-developing positions for junior researchers, priority will be given to candidates who have a doctoral degree not older than three years and a competitive track record with previous scientific output such as a first author article.
Research & education:
The department undertakes fundamental research on model organisms, agricultural crops, forest trees and bioenergy crops. Our main areas of research comprise the interaction of plants with microorganisms and other environmental stresses, plant growth and development, biotechnology and metabolic engineering, regulation of gene expression, population genetics, genome analysis and the development of breeding systems. Species in use are model organisms such as Arabidopsis, Physcomitrella, tobacco, crops such as rapeseed, basket willow (Salix), potato and cereals, and pathogens such as viruses, bacteria and fungi/oomycetes. The department is responsible for basic and advanced courses in general and molecular genetics, cell biology, gene technology, plant physiology, plant breeding, plant biochemistry and biotechnology, and molecular interactions between plants and pathogens. In addition, the department contributes to various courses together with other departments.
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