One PhD position in biology

Department of Plant Breeding
Genetic improvement of the seedcake quality of rapeseed for high quality feed and food uses 

Accompanied by a changing climate and a growing population, we are facing major challenges in supply of food, industrial raw materials and energy to meet an increasing demand for bio-based raw materials while making plant production more environmentally friendly and energy-efficient. At the Department of Plant Breeding, SLU Alnarp, we perform research, education and innovative extension work that are of great strategic importance for solving the abovementioned challenges. We use a wide range of both conventional and modern breeding technologies, ranging from field experiments and evaluation of genetic diversity to genetic, omics-, biotechnological, biochemical and physiological approaches. We are now recruiting a motivated PhD student to the Department of Plant Breeding, SLU in Alnarp. This doctoral project is funded SLU Grogrund - Center for Plant Breeding of Food Crops, which will gather academia and industry to develop competences to ensure, in accordance with the objectives of the food strategy, the availability of varieties for sustainable and competitive agricultural and horticultural production throughout Sweden.

Description:
The aim of this PhD project is to improve the seed cake quality of rapeseed for high quality feed and food uses. Research activities include transcriptome analysis for searching for new candidate genes, functional analysis of candidate genes using CRISPR-CAs9 in combination with Agrobacterium transformation and protoplast infection, screening and evaluation of mutation lines from natural or TILLING populations by sequencing, and chemical analyses of mutation lines.

Qualifications:
We seek a highly motivated and devoted candidate with master degree in plant biology or equivalent, with competence in molecular biology and biotechnology.  Experience in tissue culture, plant transformation and genome editing is a merit. The applicant must be fluent in both written and spoken English.

Place of work:      
Alnarp

Extent:
100% of employment for 4 years.                               

Starting date:
According to agreement.

Application:
We welcome your application no later than 2020-03-15, use the button below.

A person has basic eligibility for third cycle education if he or she has taken a second cycle qualification or has completed course requirements of at least 240 higher education credits, including at least 60 higher education credits at second cycle education. Upper secondary school grades equivalent to English B/English 6 are a basic requirement.

Selection among applicants meeting the requirements is made with reference to written application including curriculum vitae, copies of degrees and transcripts of academic records, one copy of the dissertation for masters or undergraduate degree, a list of at least two references familiar with the applicant's qualifications, certified knowledge of the English language and an interview.

Please observe that applicant/s chosen to participate in an interview shall hand in certified true copies of certificates, diplomas and transcripts from previous studies at an internationally recognized higher education institution (university or university college) and transcripts in connection to the interview. If the applicant is a foreign citizen we require a certified copy of the page in your passport with your personal data and photography.

Read about the PhD education at SLU at www.slu.se/en/education/postgraduate-studies/

Academic union representatives:
https://internt.slu.se/en/my-employment/employee-associations/kontaktpersoner-vid-rekrytering/



The Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) develops the understanding and sustainable use and management of biological natural resources. The university ranks well internationally within its subject areas. SLU is a research-intensive university that also offers unique degree programmes in for example rural development and natural resource management, environmental economics, animal science and landscape architecture.

SLU has just over 3,000 employees, 5,000 students and a turnover of SEK 3 billion. The university has invested heavily in a modern, attractive environment on its campuses in Alnarp, Umeå and Uppsala.

www.slu.se

SLU is an equal opportunity employer.