The manipulation of fruit set and retention canimprove crop yield, and enhance edibility of fruits and vegetables.Previous research has shown that the plant hormone auxin is animportant primary signal in these processes. Our approach is in partbased on physiological characterisation of the fruit set response invegetable crops, and in part on unraveling the molecular geneticcontrol of fruit set and retention in both Arabidopsis and crop plants.We will employ genetic and genomics tools available in Arabidopsis, anddevelop new tools for a target crop, to identify endogenous regulatorsfor fruit set and, with those, to develop new non-GMO breedingstrategies for improved fruit set and quality in vegetable crops.
In this STW (Technology Foundation) financed project we closelyco-operate with the Department of Molecular Developmental Genetics ofthe Institute of Biology at Leiden University.

Required education/skills:University Graduate
Profile:
The PhD student will study the interaction between environmentalfactors and fruit set in a target crop. He/she will determine thephysiological requirements for parthenocarpic fruit growth. Genotypicvariation (cultivars, TILLING population) in fruit set and retentionwill be studied, with an emphasis on hormonal control, especially auxin.
Applicants for this position should:
•have a MSc-degree in plant sciences, plant physiology or biology;
•have a strong background in physiology of crop growth and development;
•have a systematical and analytical approach to the research questions;
•preferably have experience with crop models.

Job type(s):
- Teaching & Research

Additional information about the job:
The Research Group:
The chair group Horticultural Production Chains Wageningen University(HPC-WU) holds a strong position in horticultural research andeducation and is part of the Department of Plant Sciences. Our researchis based on a systems analytical approach to optimization of plantproduction and product quality, and determining the physiological andstructural processes underlying this optimization.

Wageningen University and Researchcentre Plant Sciences Group, chair group Horticultural Production Chains

Estimated maximum salary per month: eur 2000 - 2500

Maximum salary amount in Euro's a month 2394
Employment basis: Temporary for specified period
Duration of the contract: 1 year
Maximum hours per week: 38

Additional conditions of employment:
temporary for a period of one year with a possible extension of three years

Additional information about the vacancy can be obtained from:

Dr. Ep Heuvelink
Telephone number: 0317-483679

 
Or additional information can be obtained through one of the following links.

You can apply for this job before 27-06-2005 by sending your application to:

When applying for this job always mention the vacancynumber AT: DPW 05-16.

Source: Academic Transfer