PhD position in Molecular Microbiology

PhD position in Molecular Microbiology Available from September 2009.A PhD student position is available to study Molecular Microbiology.The position is a 4 year full time PhD studentship (including up to 20% teaching resulting in a maximum of 5 years) at the Department of Molecular Biology, Umeå University, Sweden www.molbiol.umu.se.See also www.umu.se/english for a general presentation of Umeå and the University. The PhD student position available is within a project focusing on the mechanisms of bacterial adaptation to metabolic stress.The experimental system used is a well characterized phenol biodegradative system of a soil Pseudomonad.The project utilizes a broad array of genetic and biochemical approaches to test current mechanistic models concerning control of a prototype AAA+ transcriptional activator and the central role of the alarmone ppGpp in adaptation and restructuring of global transcriptional capacity towards specialized catabolic processes.In addition, we are also elucidating how motility towards aromatic compounds is controlled by a bifunctional cyclic di-GMP signalling protein.The group home page can be found at www.molbiol.umu.se/index.php?option=com_ content&task=view&id=2824&Itemid=198 The recruitment procedure will follow the Higher Education Ordinance (Högskoleförordningen chapters 5 and 7).Prerequisites include either i) 240 ECTS credits (swe.högskolepoäng) of higher education studies of which 60 should be on an advanced level within Molecular biology, Biochemistry, bioengineering and /or Microbiology, or ii) 120 Swedish (old) credits (swe.poäng; corresponding to 180 ECTS-credits) of higher education studies if they were taken before July 1, 2007 or equivalent competence.The PhD student needs to be skilled in both oral and written communication in English, be able to work independently and self-motivated, as well as in collaboration with others.Practical experience in molecular biology, bioengineering, biochemistry, and/or microscopy are merits.The application should include: 1) A signed letter of application describing yourself and motivation for your application (no more than one A4 page).2) CV, including a list of university courses with grades.3) Names, with contact details and e-mail addresses of two academic references.4) A copy of degree project report.5) Other relevant documentation and any publications you wish to include in support your application.Questions about the position and research program should be addressed to Prof.Applications will be discarded or, if the applicant so wishes, returned two years after the position has been filled.Documents sent electronically should be in MS Word or PDF format.