Post-doc Fellow: “Role of temperature-dependent alternative splicing in Arabidopsis flowering time control”

Function

As part of the ERA-CAPS project “FLOWPLAST: Plasticity of flowering time in response to environmental signals in Arabidopsis thaliana”, a post-doc position has been funded by the Dutch Organisation of Scientific Research (NWO-ALW).We are looking for an ambitious, experienced post-doctoral fellow to study the interaction between chromatin organisation, transcriptional activity, and alternative splicing in the Arabidopsis shoot apical meristem related to temperature-controlled flowering. Background Flowering is precisely controlled by diverse environmental cues. The underlying molecular pathways act in different tissues of the plant but ultimately influence flowering at the shoot apical meristem. We aim to elucidate the molecular basis of plasticity in flowering-time control in Arabidopsis with a focus on the ambient temperature response. Recently, it has been shown that splicing of key flowering-time controlling genes is temperature dependent. Nevertheless, we still don’t understand which molecular signatures drive the gene specific alternative splicing and we lack insight in the conservation of this mechanism. Recently, a link has been shown between chromatin status and alternative splicing in mammalian species. Whether a similar link is present in plants will be one of the questions addressed in this ERA-CAPS project. The Project The Post-doc will analyse the role of alternative splicing in ambient-temperature-mediated flowering time control using state-of-the-art Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) technology and the INTACT system to obtain shoot apical meristem specific material. The project is part of the ERA-CAPS programme “FLOWPLAST”, in which five European research laboratories - including a bioinformatics group - will join forces to shed light on plasticity of Arabidopsis flowering time in response to environmental signals. The candidate will collaborate with the “FLOWPLAST”-partners and with a PhD student working in the group on this topic. A variety of techniques has been established in the lab and can be applied in this project, including RNA-seq, DNase I hypersensitive sites mapping, chromatin immunopecipitation (ChIP), etc. Additionally, the successful candidate will have access to an attractive curriculum of courses, workshops and symposia offered by Wageningen University and the graduate school Experimental Plant Sciences (EPS).

Function Requirements

We are looking for an enthusiastic, result-driven scientist with: • a PhD in plant molecular biology or genetics • experience or affinity with plant development and physiology • experience and feeling with bioinformatics • Ability to think in molecular-biochemical concepts ·   proficiency in English • team player with excellent communication skills

Working conditions

Estimated maximum gross salary per month: € 3.831. Duration of the contract: for a period of 12 months and extension for an additional 24 months pending a positive performance evaluation.

Contact information (for deadlines and further details)

Prof. Dr. Richard G.H. Immink, telephone: + 317-480469; E-mail address:Richard.Immink@wur.nl. or Prof. Dr. Gerco C. Angenent, telephone + 317-480953; E-mail address:Gerco.Angenent@wur.nl. For similar posts visit http://scholarships-opportunities.blogspot.com/

 

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