Post-Doctoral pos. in Molecular Plant Pathology

Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences Faculty of Natural Resources and Agricultural Sciences Post-Doctoral position in Molecular Plant Pathology (2 years) SLU develops the understanding and sustainable use of biological natural resources.This is achieved through research, teaching, environmental monitoring and assessment and information extension.www.slu.se www.ma.slu.se The position has its base at the Department of Plant Biology and Forest Genetics located in Uppsala.Research in the Department centres on plants at the genetic and cellular levels with emphasis on development, defence and genetic diversity themes.New knowledge here will empower the agricultural sector to meet the needs of the future through crop improvement.The goal is higher quality foods, fodder and fibre.Part of our future plans is to move to the new Biocenter that brings scientists from 6 life science departments at SLU together in order to offer an even more stimulating environment for research and education of the highest international standard.Please have a look at our homepages for more details www.vbsg.slu.se and http://bioc.slu.se.Work description: The NL-faculty has initiated a thematic research program: Biological Soil Mapping (BioSoM) on soilborne pathogens and associated soil components of importance under Swedish conditions.The approaches range from fundamental molecular analysis to field data in an intra-disciplinary network.The objective of this specific subproject is on enhancing our understanding of fungal resting structures in soil like sclerotia formed by Verticillium spp and Sclerotinia sclerotiorum.It is important to identify genes that regulate their formation and interaction with host plants within Brassicaceae.The assignment may also include molecular studies on clubrot Plasmodiophora brassicae.All work comprises utilisation of genomic data in combination with laboratory work.The studies will be performed in collaboration with the Department of Soil and Environment, SLU. Qualifications: Applicants must have a PhD in molecular biology or related fields in the area of molecular plant-microbe interactions.There will be a merit if the applicant has experience of plant pathology, microbiology, genomics and bioinformatic analysis.The applicant should have good communication skills and proven skills in both oral and written scientific English.To be appointed as a postdoc, applicant should have been awarded her/his Ph D no more than three years ago at the time of application.Applicant awarded PhD degree more than three years ago can be appointed as a researcher.SLU is an equal opportunity employer.A short description (2-3 pages) of previous research, current research interests of relevance for the position.E-mail addresses and telephone numbers of at least two reference persons should be included.All application documents should be written in English.