PhD student in plant physiology

Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences Department of plant biology and forest genetics, Genetic centre, Uppsala is looking for a PhD student in plant physiology We are now looking for a PhD student in the project "Developmental pathways in plants, similarities between mosses and higher plants" Mosses and higher plants are separated by 450 million years of evolution.Still, homologues of many genes regulating higher plant development are present in moss.This project will address the question of how developmental programmes have evolved in land plants by assigning functions to these moss homologues.Initially, reporter gene constructs will be used to test whether genes regulating higher plant-specific inventions such as vascular systems and meristem activity are expressed at analogous sites also in mosses.We will also study the functions of the plant hormones auxin and cytokinin in mosses, and how these compare to their higher plant functions, where auxin acts as a prominent morphogen and cytokinin as a repressor of differentiation.Using reverse genetics in moss we will investigate whether auxin and cytokinin networks control analogous developmental processes in higher and lower plants and also whether the same genetic frameworks are used for hormonal control.We have extensive experience in work with both moss and higher plants and have preliminary data suggesting auxin biosynthesis to be spatio-temporally regulated by homologous genes in Arabidopsis and moss, and the position of local auxin peaks during development to be partially similar in the two plants. You will be working in a stimulating international environment.The Department of Plant Biology and Forest Genetics is one of six departments making up the new cluster Uppsala BioCenter at SLU - Ultuna (http://bioc.slu.se).The department contribute internationally recognised basic and applied science in the field of plant biology.For more information about the department visit our web page; www.vbsg.slu.se.Qualifications: Higher university degree in biology/molecular biology/ biotechnology engineering (Degree of Master or Master of Science) with emphasis on molecular genetics, plant physiology, developmental biology, evolution, bioinformatics or corresponding topics.Documented experience in lab work in molecular biology is highly valued.The selection will be based on the written application, cv, diploma/exam work, personal references, good knowledge in English and an interview. The employment as a PhD student is for 4 years of postgraduate studies.