Postdoc position on autophagy and programmed cell death in plant immunity

Department of Plant Biology
The postdoc position will be based at the Department of Plant Biology, Uppsala BioCenter, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) and Linnean Center for Plant Biology. Research: The department undertakes fundamental research on model organisms, agricultural crops, forest trees and bioenergy crops. Our main areas of research comprise the interaction of plants with microorganisms and other environmental stresses, plant growth and development, biotechnology and metabolic engineering, regulation of gene expression, population genetics, genome analysis and the development of breeding systems. Species in use are model organisms such as Arabidopsis, Physcomitrella, tobacco, crops such as rapeseed, basket willow (Salix), potato and cereals, and pathogens such as viruses, bacteria and fungi/oomycetes. Education: The department is responsible for basic courses and advanced courses in general and molecular genetics; gene technology; cell biology; plant physiology, gene expression, plant breeding, plant biochemistry and biotechnology, and molecular interactions between plants and pathogens. Besides, the department contributes to various other courses together with other departments.

Duties:
The position is associated with the group of Professor Daniel Hofius at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) in Uppsala, Sweden. Research in the Hofius lab focuses on the molecular mechanisms and interplay of autophagy and programmed cell death (PCD) in plant-pathogen interactions (http://www.slu.se/D_Hofius). Our previous findings have contributed to the current view that autophagy can either promote or restrict different forms of cell death in plant immunity and disease (e.g., Hofius et al. 2009, Cell; Munch et al. 2015, Plant Cell; Hafrén et al, 2017, PNAS; Hafren et al., 2018, Plant Physiol.). However, the molecular processes underlying the dual role of autophagy in cell death regulation remain an unsolved mystery. The project aims at analysing whether selective autophagy pathways eliminate negative and positive determinants of cell death in a context-dependent manner, thereby defining autophagic activities in PCD promotion or restriction. The work builds on a combined strategy of unbiased screening and candidate pathway approaches and uses the Arabidopsis-Pseudomonas pathosystem together with proteomic, genetic, biochemical and cell biological methods.

Qualifications:
We are looking for a highly motivated candidate with a recent PhD degree in molecular biology, genetics, or biochemistry or related knowledge that the employer considers as equivalent. Applicants should have strong experience in plant molecular biology and a competitive track record in internationally peer-reviewed journals. Documented expertise in proteomics, reverse genetics, and cell biological approaches as well as in the analysis of plant-pathogen interactions in the Arabidopsis system is highly valued. The postdoc is expected to be a team player and enthusiastically drive a research project with creativity and independent thinking. Excellent communication skills in both oral and written English are required. As postdoctoral appointments are career-developing positions for junior researchers, we are primarily looking for candidates with a doctoral degree that is three years old at most. The selection is based on the written application, CV, publication record, personal references, and an interview.

Place of work:
Uppsala.

Form of employment:
Fixed term employment of 24 months with possibility of extension.

Extent:
100%.

Starting date:
According to agreement.

Application:
We welcome your application no later than 2022-03-07, use the button below. 

Applications must contain (1) CV and copy of PhD diploma, (2) statement of scientific interests and motivation for applying to this position, (3) description of research experience and other activities of relevance for the position, as well as (4) contact information of three references

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





The Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) is a world-class international university with research, education and environmental assessment within the sciences for sustainable life. Its principal sites are in Alnarp, Umeå and Uppsala, but activities are also conducted at research stations, experimental parks and educational establishments throughout Sweden. We bring together people who have different perspectives, but they all have one and the same goal: to create the best conditions for a sustainable, thriving and better world.

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.

www.slu.se