The mission of the Plant Hormone Biology group is to understand the chemical communication of plants with other organisms in their environment. We study how plants produce and secrete signaling molecules from their roots and how this affects the behavior of other organisms in the soil. Plant roots house one of the most diverse, yet vastly neglected, microbial communities on Earth. The aim of the Gravitation program, MiCRop, is to harness the genomic potential of root microbes as a new platform for improved stress resilience of future crops and sustainable food production.
Working with groups at the University of Amsterdam (UvA), Free University (VU), Utrecht University (UU), Wageningen University (WU) and The Netherlands Institute for Ecological Research (NIOO), you will unlock how wild and cultivated plant species, across the plant kingdom, recruit their microbial partners to cope with environmental stress and harness microbiome functions to optimize future crop resilience and performance in a changing climate.
What are you going to do
We are looking for a postdoctoral candidate to investigate the mechanisms underlying the role of signaling in stress-induced changes in plant root microbiome recruitment and the stress-protective effect this change causes. From the data generated in MiCRop you will distill interesting effects, particularly in relation to phosphate shortage and/or biotic stress and investigate the mechanism underlying these effects. Examples of possible research directions are the role of biosynthetic enzymes, transcription factors, transporters and receptors in the interaction, through signaling, of the plant and their microbiome. You will use a range of approaches, such as, but not necessarily limited to, omics data analysis, bioinformatics, gene cloning and (heterologous) protein characterization, mutants, transgenics, analytical chemistry and microbiome analyses.
You are expected to:
• study the effect of phosphate and/or biotic stress on plant root microbiome recruitment;
• investigate the underlying mechanisms, with an emphasis on plant signaling;
• collaborate with a Netherlands-wide team of PhD students, tenure trackers, data analysts and PIs on the analysis of
microbiome recruitment strategies in plants;
• (co-)supervise PhD candidates, bachelor and master students.
What do we require
• A PhD in Biology or Plant Science.
• Experience with plant molecular biology.
• Affinity with plant metabolism and the plant microbiome.
• Affinity with (protein) biochemistry.
• Affinity with data analysis and/or bioinformatics.
• Fluency in English, both written and spoken.
Our offer
We offer you a temporary employment contract for 38 hours a week, for the duration of 12 months preferably starting on 1 May 2022. An extension of 24 months is possible upon a good evaluation.
Your salary, depending on your relevant work experience on commencement of the employment contract, ranges between €2,846 to €4,490 gross per month on the basis of a full working week of 38 hours. This sum does not include the 8% holiday allowance and the 8.3% year-end allowance. A favorable tax agreement, the 30% ruling, may apply to non-Dutch applicants. The Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO NU) is applicable.
Are you curious about our extensive package of secondary employment benefits like our excellent opportunities for study and development? More information can be found here.
About us
The University of Amsterdam is the largest university in the Netherlands, with the broadest spectrum of degree programmes. It is an intellectual hub with 39,000 students, 6,000 employees and 3,000 doctoral students who are all committed to a culture of inquiring minds and scientific excellence.
The Faculty of Science has a student body of around 7,000, as well as 1,600 members of staff working in education, research or support services. Researchers and students at the Faculty of Science are fascinated by every aspect of how the world works, be it elementary particles, the birth of the universe or the functioning of the brain.
The Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences (SILS) is one of the Faculty of Science’s largest institutes. Its approximately 240 scientists and staff members work in 16 research groups that perform excellent research centered on four themes: Neurosciences, Cell & Systems Biology, Microbiology and Green Life Sciences. Do you want to know more about our organization? More information van be found here.
Questions
Do you have questions about this vacancy? Or do you want to know more about our organization? Please contact:
- Dr. Lemeng Dong
- + 31 (0) 616431799
Job application
Do you recognize yourself in the job profile? Then we look forward to receiving your application by 10 April 2022.
We aim to invite potential candidates for interviews in the second half of April 2022.
Applications should include:
• a cover letter with your motivation to apply for this position;
• a CV, including a list of publications.
• contact information for at least two academic referees.
Please mention the months (not just years) in your cv when referring to your education and work experience.
The UvA is an equal-opportunity employer. We prioritise diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for everyone. We value a spirit of enquiry and perseverance, provide the space to keep asking questions, and promote a culture of curiosity and creativity.
No comments:
Post a Comment