Post-doctoral fellow in Molecular Plant Biology - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Subject description
The project “Plant cell resistance to antimicrobial peptides from biostimulant fungi; The potential role of calcium” focuses primarily on a Ca2+-associated membrane protein, which due to a disease link has been much studied in mammals, but very little in plants. The Arabidopsis protein is essential for the plant cell’s ability to modify its plasma membrane in response to fungal cellulase, making it resistant to a fungal lytic peptide. Candidates are expected to have an interest and a strong experience in molecular cell biology, in particular on plants and suitable to the research topic. The candidate will be hosted and guided by Prof. Allan Rasmusson, but also collaborate with other P.I.s, to determine how several Ca2+-associated plant proteins, each of which is essential for the cellulase-induced antibiotic resistance, in combination mediate the induced response.

Work duties
The work focuses on cell biological and biochemical investigations of the Ca2+-associated membrane protein (mentioned above), including determining its activity, its importance for Ca2+-homeostasis in the plant cell and how it interacts with several other Ca2+-associated proteins that are likewise essential for the resistance induction process. Planned methodologies include genotyping, phenotyping, crossing and construction of transgenic Arabidopsis, nucleic acid analysis, confocal and microplate-based detection of fluorescent reporters, RNA-seq, bioinformatics, organellar isolation, protein production and reconstitution, and protein and enzyme analyses.

The main duties involved in a post-doctoral position is to conduct research. Teaching may also be included, but up to no more than 20% of working hours. The position shall include the opportunity for three weeks of training in higher education teaching and learning.

Work duties include

• The successful candidate will work on the above outlined research project. It is expected that she/he will apply and optimize methodologies to pursue the overall project goals, and design and interpret experiments. All work will be carried out embedded in a research team, requiring sharing of expertise, open discussion of results and facilitating experiments of other team members. International collaboration is planned in the project, including work visits to at least one foreign lab
• Active participation at international conferences is expected, as well as dissemination of results in peer reviewed international publications
• Opportunities for supervision of degree projects (Bachelor and Master) as well as co-supervision of PhD projects may be provided and would be encouraged
• The successful candidate is expected to actively seek independent research funding during the employment period, to provide an opportunity to transition towards an independent researcher position
• The candidate’s project does not directly involve connections to industry, but may be associated with other ongoing projects in the group on industrial applications within the same general topic
• Finally, the position may include limited duties in administration related to the work duties listed above
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• Qualification requirements
  Appointment to a post-doctoral position requires that the applicant has a PhD, or an international degree deemed equivalent to a PhD, within the subject of the position, completed no more than three years before the last date for applications. Under special circumstances, the doctoral degree can have been completed earlier. 
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• Additional essential requirements:
• Very good oral and written proficiency in English
• A degree in molecular plant biology, molecular cell biology including plants as a study material, or similar
• Documented ability and experience in investigating cell biological functions of genes and proteins using multiple molecular methods
• Documented experience of plant bioinformatics and gene and protein database work.
• A good track record of publishing peer-reviewed academic papers
• Evidence of ability to work efficiently both independently and as a member of a small team
• Evidence of ability to organize resources, plan and progress work activities, and meet deadlines effectively and consistently
• Ability to communicate scientific results and knowledge to non-specialists and students

Assessment criteria and other qualifications
This is a career development position primarily focused on research. The position is intended as an initial step in a career, and the assessment of the applicants will primarily be based on their research qualifications and potential as researchers.

Particular emphasis will be placed on research skills within the subject, the ability to develop and conduct high quality research, collaborative skills, drive and independence.

Additional merits

Documented abilities and experiences of working with plant molecular, genetic, cell biological and biochemical methods that will be used in the project (see above) Documented ability and experience in wet and in silico work with Arabidopsis thaliana Documented ability and experience of supervising students, individually and in groups

Terms of employment
This is a full-time, fixed-term employment of a maximum of 2 years. The period of employment is determined in accordance with the agreement “Avtal om tidsbegränsad anställning som postdoktor” (“Agreement on fixed-term employment as a post-doctoral fellow”) between Lund University, SACO-S, OFR/S and SEKO, dated 4 September 2008.

Instructions on how to apply
Applications shall be written in English and be compiled into a PDF-file containing:

Résumé/CV, including a list of publications A general description of past research and future research interests, including methodological knowhow (no more than three pages) Contact information of at least three references, and including previous main supervisors Copy of the doctoral degree certificate, grades for the PhD, MSc, and BA studies, and other certificates/grades that you wish to be considered.