1 PhD position
The Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Faculty of Natural Sciences I invites applications for a PhD position in the DFG-funded Research Training Group RTG 2498 “Communication and Dynamics of Plant Cell Compartments”, project P05.
The position is funded for 3 years, starting January 2024. Salary will be according to Entgeldgruppe 13 TV-L (65%), depending on the assigned tasks and individual qualifications.
// Project Description
The project P05 will be carried out in the group of Dr. Debora Gasperini at the Leibniz Institute of Plant Biochemistry and aims at characterizing cellular events involved in Jasmonate biosynthesis initiation.
Both animals and plants produce potently active lipid-derived mediators in response to tissue damage. These oxygenated lipid derivatives include leukotrienes and prostaglandins in animals, and jasmonates in plants. Mechanical wounding of plant tissues is particularly effective in inducing the accumulation of the prohormone jasmonic acid (JA) and the biologically active jasmonoyl-L-isoleucine (JA-Ile), which activates defense responses and inhibits growth to promote plant fitness. Although critical aspects of JA biosynthesis and perception are well characterized, it is still unclear how extracellular stimuli trigger and modulate JA production. Available evidence suggests that JA synthesis is controlled at the post-transcriptional level by the activation of pre-existing JA biosynthetic enzymes residing in plastids. In this project, we aim to characterize inter-compartmental transduction events leading to the activation of plastidial enzymes after mechanical wounding and osmotic stress (Mielke et al 2021, Sci Adv). By using primary roots of Arabidopsis thaliana and advanced in vivo imaging techniques, this project is geared towards enhancing our basic knowledge of how plants perceive, transmit and integrate information about their environment to prompt adaptive metabolic and growth responses.
For more details about the project see https://rtg2498.uni-halle.de/p05/
// Tasks
- Experimental research within the framework of the subproject P05 of the RTG 2498 focussing on jasmonic acid (JA) biosynthesis and perception
- Usage of biochemical, cell biological and molecular biological approaches
- Presentation and publication of scientific data
// Requirements
- An excellent MSc degree (or equivalent) in biology or biochemistry
- Proficiency in plant organelle biochemistry, cell biology and molecular biology preferred
- Advanced experiences in molecular biological approaches (molecular cloning, genetic studies, qPCR, fluorescence microscopy, in particular in vivo imaging techniques)
- High degree of self-initiative and self-responsibility
- Excellent communication skills in English language (written and spoken)
- Motivated to work in a cooperative manner within the RTG
// Application
Please use our online application form below. The submission deadline is extended until 15 Nov 2023.
Queries concerning the application process or project-related questions should be directed to the speaker of the RTG 2498 (Prof. Dr. Ingo Heilmann, Tel.: +49 345 55-24840, email: ingo.heilmann@biochemtech.uni-halle.de) or to Debora Gasperini (debora.gasperini@ipb-halle.de).
This announcement refers to the external job announcement Reg.-Nr. 5-9958/23-D
