Positions available

The Department of Plant molecular Biology is offering a post of doctorant (PhD student):

Doctoral student position

Begining: 1 Jan 2012 or soon after
Contract : 1 year. Can be renewed twice for two years. Maximum duration 5 years
Employment : 100%
Work place : Lausanne Dorigny

Project description

Malondialdehyde is a genotoxic molecule that is widespread in nature and occurs even in healthy organisms. We are using a combination of biochemical and genetic approaches in Arabidopsis to identify the in vivo origins of MDA and to modify its levels. This project will focus of finding the origin of MDA pools that do not derive from triunsaturated fatty acids. The techniques to be used are gas chromtography/mass spectrometry, forward genetics, and, possibly, making transgenics. The goal would be to test mutants lacking specific pools of MDA for their resistance to abiotic and biotic stresses.Reference: Mène-Saffrané, L., Dubugnon, L., Chételat, A., Stolz, S., Gouhier-Darimont, C. and Farmer, E.E. (2009) Nonenzymatic oxidation of trienoic fatty acids contributes to reactive oxygen species management in Arabidopsis. J. Biol. Chem. 284, 1702-1708.

Minimum 50% of time dedicated to PhD research. Maximum 50% time to teaching in practicals and in laboratory teamwork.

Required:
MSc in Biology or equivalent. Previous experience in genetics is a plus. Languages: French (teaching) and English (lab).

Dossier de candidature :
Please send a motivation letter, CV, copy of University degrees and addresses of two referees to: Professeur E. E. Farmer, Département de Biologie Moléculaire Végétale, bâtiment Biophore, 1015 Lausanne. E-mail: edward.farmer[at]unil.ch

Deadline:
10 November 2011