Post-Doctoral position

Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences Department of Plant Biology and Forest Genetics at Uppsala BioCenter, Uppsala Post-Doctoral position Epigenome changes in response to polyploidization SLU develops the understanding and sustainable use of biological natural resources.This is achieved through research, teaching, environmental monitoring and assessment and information extension.SLU has 3 000 employees, 4 200 undergraduate and postgraduate students.Main campuses are located at Alnarp, Skara, Uppsala and Umeå. www.slu.se Duties: We are looking for a highly motivated post-doctoral researcher to investigate the underlying molecular mechanisms of polyploidy-mediated plant speciation.Polyploidization, a widespread phenomenon among plants, is considered a major speciation mechanism.Polyploid plants have a high degree of immediate post-zygotic reproductive isolation from their progenitors, as backcrossing to either parent will produce mainly nonviable progeny.This reproductive barrier is called triploid block and it is caused by malfunction of the endosperm.This reproductive barrier is called triploid block and it is caused by failure of endosperm development.Our previous work revealed that the triploid block has an epigenetic basis (Erilova et al., PLoS Genetics, 2009) and the project aims at identifying the underlying molecular mechanisms in detail.Our laboratory has expertise in epigenome-profiling of specific cell types (Weinhofer et al., PLoS Genetics, in press) and we would like to apply this technology to identify epigenome changes in response to interploidy crosses.The research group is currently located at ETH Zurich (http://www.pdg.ethz.ch/) and will move to the SLU in October 2010.The department offers a creative and stimulating international environment, and is one of six departments that will make up the new cluster ?Uppsala BioCenter?at SLU.The research group and the department contributes to internationally recognized basic and applied science in plant biology; for more information visit the web page at http://www.slu.se/en/faculties-and-departments/faculty-of-natural-resources-and-agricultural-sciences/about-the-faculty/departments/department-of-plant-biology-and-and-forest-genetics/. Qualifications: The applicant should have a PhD degree in plant genetics or plant molecular biology, awarded not more than three years ago at the time of application.Documented experience with molecular biology techniques is expected, and bioinformatics skills are a merit.The applicant should also have adequate skills in the English language, and be able to easily communicate and discuss research results. Form of employment: Funding is for a two-year post-doctoral fellowship according to current SLU guidelines.Starting date Project start will be November 2010, with some flexibility. SLU is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome your application marked with ref no SLU ID ua 2840/2010.Please submit your application to the Registrar of SLU, P.O.