PhD student in Plant Biology and Forest Genetics

Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences Department of Plant Biology and Forest Genetics in Ultuna 1 PhD student in the research education subject: Biology Carbon metabolism and allocation in higher plants for bioenergy production PhD-student Position in Plant Molecular Cell Biology - Addressing carbon metabolism and allocation in higher plants for bioenergy production A PhD-student position is available immediately after the application time closes at Dept of Plant Biology and Forest Genetics, Uppsala BioCenter, SLU, Uppsala, Sweden. It is a four years position. The department has a good and stimulating work environment with a well internationally recognized quality. The department does, together with five other departments at SLU, form the Uppsala BioCenter (http://bioc.slu.se and http://www.vbsg.slu.se/). Carbon metabolism and allocation are one of the core issues in plant science due to their high importance in design of plant production for different applications both in agriculture and industry. As new techniques and concepts in plant biotechnology emerge, it is now possible to direct carbon flux to different fractions of carbon polymers such as starch, oil and cellulose in higher plants. We are focusing on two currently hot topics in plant biology, bioenergy and functional food. Our research goals are to use high technology in metabolic engineering such as transcription factor technology to reprogram carbon metabolism and produce required carbon polymers for many industrial purposes in bioenergy and functional food. For the details of our research please visit our website (http://vaxt.vbsg.slu.se/research/sun/). The objective of your project is to understand carbon allocation in higher plants and find out putative switcher molecules that govern carbon flux between starch and oil. You will track carbon flux mostly in cereal plants with techniques used in molecular cell biology including using isotopes as a tool. The application should include: 1) An application letter with motivation and interest, 2) CV with a summary of previous achievements and possible publications, and 3) Two reference persons. Qualifications Applicants should be highly motivated and interested in molecular cell biology. Knowledge and technical skills in analysis of gene and protein expression such as Real-Time PCR, microarrays, 454 sequencing, proteomics and in carbohydrate research are meriting. Forms for funding or employment Scholarship 1 year + Employment as PhD student 3 years SLU is an Equal Opportunity Employer. A person has basic eligibility for third level education if he or she has taken a second level qualification or has completed course requirements of at least 240 higher education credits, including at least 60 higher education credits at second level. Those who met the requirements for general eligibility before July 1st, 2007, i.e. had completed a programme of higher education for at least 180 Higher education credits or the equivalent, will continue to do so until the end of 2015." 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. For a complete advt: http://www.slu.se/phdadvert Use this APPLICATION FORM http://www.slu.se/UserFiles/File/ansokningsblankett