Postdoc Molecular Plant Biology

Postdoc Molecular Plant Biology – Unraveling the ACC signaling pathway of plants

(ref. BAP-2023-139)

Last modification : Tuesday, March 14, 2023

The lab of Prof. Van de Poel conducts fundamental research on plant hormones, especially ethylene, combining physiology and molecular biology. We are affiliated with the Biosystems Department of the University of Leuven (Belgium). In the framework of our ERC Consolidator Grant, we have an open full-time postdoctoral position to discover and characterize the ACC signaling pathway of plants, using the liverwort Marchantia polymorpha and the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana.

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Responsibilities

Ethylene is an important plant hormone that regulates many developmental processes and stress responses.  In recent years, new evidence has emerged that the ethylene biosynthesis precursor ACC (1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid) can have signaling functions independent of ethylene.  In this project we will use the liverwort Marchantia polymorpha, a non-vascular model plant representative for early plant life on earth, to discover the ACC signaling pathway.  Therefore you will take part in a mutagenic screen to discover ACC signaling mutants, and characterize these mutants using reverse genetics and molecular biology approaches to mechanistically untangle the ACC signaling pathway.  Findings will be functionally validated using Arabidopsis thaliana.

Profile

Our team is looking for a highly motivated postdoc, who has a strong expertise in molecular biology and is excellent at the bench.  The project requires you to be dedicated and highly ambitious. You are a team player with a critical mind who is willing to engage in an ems genetic screen and functional genetics.  You have a proven expertise in molecular biology.  Additional expertise in ethylene or Marchantia biology is a plus.  You are interested to participate in the supervision of PhD and master students in the lab. 

You hold a PhD in Plant Biology, Molecular Biology, Biotechnology, Bioscience engineering, Biology, Biochemistry or similar.  You have a proven track record (publications) in the field of molecular biology or plant biology.

Offer

We offer you a full-time position for 3 years (1 year extendable with another 2 years after a positive evaluation).  You will work on a project in the framework of our prestigious ERC consolidator grant under supervision of Prof. Van de Poel.  Our young and dynamic team will support you to successfully obtain excellent results and publish your findings in high-impact journals.  You will be able to further improve your skills in molecular biology using the latest technologies. You will be able to complete your scientific development at the University of Leuven, a top-ranked internationally oriented university, in order to become an independent scientist.  You will have opportunities to participate at national and international meetings, and establish your own network. You will have possibilities to gain experience in transferal skills. The city of Leuven has a dynamic and international vibe and is a safe environment in the heart of Europe.

Interested?

For more information please contact Prof. dr. Bram Van de Poel, tel.: +32 16 32 55 27, mail: bram.vandepoel@kuleuven.be.

You can apply for this job no later than April 14, 2023 via the online application tool

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