Sweden: Postdoctoral Fellowships at Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences and Umeå University
Closing date: April 27, 2006
The newly established Swedish Research Centre is interdisciplinary and aims to understand and link the genetics, biology and chemistry of key wood properties. The Centre is funded by the Swedish Research Council for Environment, Agricultural Sciences and Spatial Planning (FORMAS). The program uses Poplar as a model species and is built around a network of top-scientists with expertise in plant biology, chemistry and biotechnology located at Umeå Plant Science Centre (UPSC; www.upsc.se/), the Department of Chemistry at Umeå University (www.chem.umu.se/), WURC (www-wurc.slu.se/) and KTH (www.biotech.kth.se/woodbiotechnology/). A Stakeholder Advisory Board and a Scientific Advisory Board are also included in the organisation of FuncFiber.
Vascular cambium development. A postdoctoral fellowship is available at Umeå Plant Science Centre. The project is based on discoveries emanating from a high resolution transcript profiling of the Poplar vascular cambium (The Plant Cell 16: 2278-2292, 2004). It entails the molecular characterisation of Poplar RNAi and ectopic expression lines, combined with a molecular genetic approach in Arabidopsis, to study lateral meristem development and secondary growth. The successful applicant will have a PhD in a relevant area of molecular biology and developmental genetics, will be strongly motivated to succeed and will have the ability to work independently and as part of a team. For further information contact Dr Brian Jones, brian.jones@plantphys.umu.seApplications should be sent to: brian.jones@plantphys.umu.se
Characterisation of glycosyltransferases involved in secondary growth in plants. A postdoctoral fellowship is available at Umeå Plant Science Centre to study the role of glycosyltransferases (GTs) involved in secondary growth using Arabidopsis and Poplar systems. Recently we have identified and characterized a novel Arabidopsis GT mutant epc1 (The Plant Journal 43: 384-397, 2005) and further characterization of this mutant as well as mutants in related genes will be undertaken. The position requires a relevant PhD and experience in some or all of the following disciplines is highly desirable - Arabidopsis genetics, molecular biology, wood biology, protein expression and purification. Applicants should be highly motivated. For further information contact Dr Alan Marchant, alan.marchant@genfys.slu.seApplications should be sent to: alan.marchant@genfys.slu.se
Wood development. A postdoctoral fellowship is available at Umeå Plant Science Centre to study candidate genes for hemicellulose and pectin biosynthesis and modification in developing wood fibers, and determining their effects on wood properties. Strategies include transgenic approaches in Poplar and Arabidopsis, cDNA microarray analyses and protein localization studies. The position requires a relevant PhD and expertise in bioinformatics, cloning (Gateway), transcript and protein analyses. Expertise in cell wall analyses, FTIR, and microscopy will be an asset. For further information contact Dr Ewa Mellerowicz, ewa.mellerowicz@genfys.slu.seApplications should be sent to: ewa.mellerowicz@genfys.slu.se
Applications for postdoctoral fellowships should include a description of past research accomplishments including a list of publications, curriculum vitae, and contact details for at least two referees. The postdoctoral positions are for 1 year with a possibility for 1 year prolongation, each starting as soon as possible. Adequate skills in the English language are required for all positions. Closing date for application is April 27, 2006.
