PhD position in plant molecular biology and forest biotechnology : Umeå Plant Science Centre, Sweden

Umea Plant Science Center (UPSC, www.upsc.se) is a vibrant and international research center in experimental plant biology and forest Biotechnology. UPSC accomodates thirty research groups with more than 200 scientists from 35 countries as well as relevant technical platforms for advanced biological and chemical plant science.

PhD position at Umeå Plant Science Centre in plant molecular biology and forest Biotechnology

Project description : We are looking for a highly motivated PhD student to work with our project on ethylene biology in wood formation of forest trees. Our previous research has shown that ethylene is one of the key regulators of wood formation (Love et al., Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2009 106:5984-9 and Andersson-Gunnerås et al. Plant J. 2006 45:144-65). Ethylene is involved in particular in tension wood formation, a phenomenon which involves drastic modification of wood development and wood chemistry. Our aim is to unravel ethylene signaling during xylem development and wood formation, with the long-term vision to create tools for forest Biotechnology applications. The PhD project will start by detailed characterisation of newly produced, transgenic Populus trees that are modified in their expression of transcription factors acting in ethylene signalling. The transgenic lines have already been demonstrated to have a modification in their wood chemistry. Further work will include a variety of techniques  including analyses of the trees on DNA, RNA and protein level applying for example RNA sequencing, and deeper analysis of wood properties with mass spectrometry and FT-IR. Function of selected transcription factors is also characterised in the herbaceous woody model system Arabidopsis thaliana by using state-of-the-art techniques in molecular biology, genetics, Biochemistry, cell wall analytics and microscopy.

Qualifications : Applicants must have completed a Master’s degree or university studies of 240 ECTS (4 full years), including a minimum of 60 ECTS at an advanced level in biology, molecular biology, Biochemistry, Biotechnology or equivalent. Previous experience, exam work or advanced courses in cell and molecular biology, plant biology and/or forest Biotechnology is an advantage. Good social skills, ability to work independently as well as in collaboration with others and good skills in English language are required. Your application should contain a personal letter of intent, CV, copies of your exams and list of the academic courses included in the exam as well as names and contact information of three reference persons. Evaluations will be based on the results of the university courses, quality of the Master’s thesis, personal references, interviews and the letter of intent.

Duration : A PhD program in Sweden takes 4 years (240 ECTS). 180 ECTS corresponds to the thesis work and 60 ECTS to courses, seminars and conferences. PhD courses are provided within the graduate training of UPSC and the KBC centre of Umeå University (www.kbc.umu.se). The PhD student is expected to participate in teaching (max 20%) which will be compensated by corresponding prolongation of the PhD position.

Trade union information is available from SACO, +46-(0)90-786 53 65, SEKO civil, +46-(0)90-786 52 96 and ST, +46-(0)90-786 54 31.

Questions or inquires about the position can be answered by Hannele Tuominen, tel. +46-(0)90-786 9693, hannele.tuominen@plantphys.umu.se.

Your complete application, marked with a reference number dnr 313-426-12, should be sent to jobb@umu.se or to the Registrar, Umeå University, SE-901 87 Umeå, Sweden to arrive 2012-06-25 at the latest.

Deadline : 25.06.12