Postdoc Biochemistry and/or Structural Biology

The project Postdoctoral researcher with demonstrated experience in biochemistry and/or structural biology. Successful pathogens secrete effectors during colonization of their hosts in order to establish disease (de Jonge et al. Curr Opin Plant Biol 2011 14:400-406). We previously characterized the LysM effector Ecp6 that is secreted by the fungal tomato pathogen Cladosporium fulvum to mediate colonization of tomato plants by preventing the recognition of cell wall-derived chitin by host immune receptors (de Jonge et al., Science 2010 329:953-955). Subsequent structural analysis revealed that Ecp6 displays a novel mechanism for chitin binding, leading to a deeply buried chitin-binding groove that mediates chitin binding with ultra-high affinity (Sánchez-Vallet et al., eLife 2013 2:e00790. Intriguingly, LysM effectors homologous to Ecp6 are ubiquitous in the fungal kingdom and occur in pathogenic as well as non-pathogenic species (Kombrink and Thomma, PLoS Pathogens 2013 9:e1003769. In this project you will investigate biochemical and structural characteristics of various LysM effector homologs in order to advance our understanding of the role of these effectors in fungal life.

Function Requirements

- PhD-degree in biochemistry or structural biology - Experience in phytopathology is a significant advantage - Fluent English communication skills - Importantant competences: result orientation, creativity and independence

Working conditions

A full-time position, temporary for a period of 2 years. Maximum gross wages per month are € 3.831 (scale 10), for a fulltime appointment, dependent on training and experience. The research will be carried out at the Laboratory of Phytopathology of the Wageningen University. Don't email directly to the people mentioned above but use the website to apply. You can apply untill 14 April 2014

Contactinformation

bart.thomma@wur.nl For similar posts, visit http://scholarships-opportunities.blogspot.nl/