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PhD Student Plant Sciences/Biology
Wageningen UR, The Netherlands
Project
Information:
A basic determinant of
plant productivity is photosynthesis. Photosynthesis is a
complex, highly regulated process involving the
co-ordinated action of many proteins and cofactors, and in
addition to its own particular complexity it has a complex
relationship with yield. The aim of this project is to
unveil the natural variation for photosynthetic capacity
and identify the genetic factors for this variation using a
collection of Arabidopsis natural accessions and
segregating populations. A sophisticated robotised plant
imaging system based on chlorophyll fluorescence will be
used to detect variation in the capacity for photosynthetic
flexibility of plants by comparing plants exposed to
optimal and various suboptimal conditions. This variation
will be used to identify quantitative trait loci for
photosynthetic flexibility. The loci identified by this
means will be further studied to understand the identity of
the gene(s) underlying the QTL and the role(s) in plant
physiology. This is a collaborative project between the
Laboratory of Genetics (Dr. Mark Aarts), the Horticultural
Production Chains Group (Dr Jeremy Harbinson) and Plant
Research International (Dr. Jan Snel), all at Wageningen
UR. It is jointly funded by NWO-ALW and the Technological
Top Institute Green Genetics.
Job
Description:
The PhD student will design and run the
scientific programme described above. The student will be
required to publish his/her results in peer-reviewed
scientific journals as well as in a PhD thesis. As a member
of the Graduate School for Experimental Plant Sciences
participation in various taught courses organized by the
School will be compulsory and the student will be expected
to assist in the delivery of undergraduate education.
RequirementsRequired
education/skills:University Graduate
The research will require skills in plant physiology
and/or (molecular) genetics, so you should have studied
Biology, Plant Sciences, Plant Biotechnology or alike and
obtained either an MSc or a 1st or upper 2nd Honours Degree
at BSc level. Experience with Arabidopsis and QTL analysis,
gene functional analysis or chlorophyll fluorescence and
related photosynthetic techniques is considered an
advantage. You are highly motivated to establish a
scientific career, are fluent in English and you value the
benefits of collaboration, but are prepared to perform
independent research.
Job type: Research / Advising
Workfield(s):
- Research trainees, non-tenured
lecturers, researchers(Scientific discipline:
Agriculture)
OrganizationWageningen UR,
Laboratory
of Genetics
The research of the Botanical Genetics
section the Laboratory of Genetics is focused on the
development of new genetic tools such as populations and
lines, as well as ways to efficiently analyze them, to
advance the study of the genetic basis of natural
variation, mainly using the model plant species Arabidopsis
thaliana or related Brassicaceae species. The main areas of
biological interest are plant growth and performance,
adaptation to heavy metal exposure and plant
nutrigenomics.
Conditions of employmentEmployment
basis: Temporary for specified period
Duration of the
contract: 4 years, with a go-no-go decision after 18
months.
Maximum hours per week: 38
Additional
conditions of employment:
We offer a full-time
position, 38 hours a week, for 4 years, with a go-no-go
decision after 18 months. The monthly salary will start at
€ 2042 in the first year, increasing to € 2612 in
the fourth year.
Additional InformationAdditional
information about the vacancy can be obtained from:
Dr. Mark Aarts, Laboratory of Genetics
Telephone number: 31 317 485413
E-mail address: mark.aarts@wur.nl
Or Dr. Jeremy Harbinson, Horticultural Production
Chains
Telephone number: 31 317 483660
E-mail
address: jeremy.harbinson@wur.nl
ApplicationYou can apply for
this job
before 15-02-2009
(dd-mm-yyyy) by sending your application to:
Wageningen UR, Laboratory of Genetics
Department
Personnel & Organization
Mrs. H. Casteels
P.O. Box 16
6700 AA Wageningen
The
Netherlands
E-mail: vacaturemeldingen.psg@wur.nl
Best-
Muthu
--
Bev Godard
Secretary
Department of Plant Science
University of Manitoba
66 Dafoe Road
Winnipeg, Manitoba
R3T 2N2
Phone: (204) 474-8563
Fax: (204) 474-7528
Bev_Godard@umanitoba.ca