PhD Student in Plant Stress Biology : University of Turku, Finland

We are seeking a highly-motivated PhD student in the area of plant stress biology.

Project Description : Though soil salinity, drought and low temperature, all of which induce osmotic aberrance, are severe environmental stresses limiting crop productivity, molecular mechanisms of sensing osmolality and signal transduction from the sensing to the responses in plants remain elusive. We are investigating osmotic stress signaling with a model plant Arabidopsis to collect knowledge of fundamental science. The student will work on kinase pathways that are important for the signaling (PNAS 108, 1717-22), combining the methods of molecular biology, genetics, and Biochemistry. The ideal candidate should have prior experience in some of the above mentioned techniques. Experience in plant biology is not essential. Proficiency in English is required.

Work group : The group of Hiroaki Fujii is a part of Molecular Plant Biology Unit, Department of Biochemistry and Food Chemistry, University of Turku, supervised by Prof. Eva-Mari Aro. The project is carried out at BioCity, Turku.

How to Apply : 
Qualified candidates should send (by email) a statement of curriculum vitae, research interest, and contact details for 2 referees to Hiroaki Fujii < hiroaki.fujii@utu.fi>. Review of applications will begin on February 7, 2012 and continue until position is filled.

References : 

• Fujii H, Verslues PE, Zhu JK (2011) Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 108:1717-22
• Fujii H et al., (2009) Nature. 462:660-4
• Fujii H and Zhu JK (2009) Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 106:8380-5

Deadline : 29.02.12