Post-Doctoral position

Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences Department of Forest Mycology and Pathology, Uppsala Post-Doctoral position in genetic transformation of filamentous fungi SLU develops knowledge about natural resources as well as social systems, everything that lives and grows. At SLU we conduct research, teach and inform about the opportunities, and possible risks incurred, when using our forests, landscapes, soils and animals in different ways. SLU offers a broad spectrum of educational programmes and single subject courses. About 3 300 undergraduates and 800 postgraduate students are enrolled at SLU. A total of 3 000 people are employed at the University. Main campuses are located at Alnarp, Skara, Ultuna and Umeå. Research and teaching activities are carried out throughout the country. www.slu.se Applicants are invited for a two-year postdoctoral position in the field of genetic transformation of ascomycete fungi and oomycetes. The aim of the project is to improve and use already existing transformation protocols for plant pathogens and fungal biocontrol organisms based on protoplast transformation and/or agrobacterium-mediated transformation technology. The project has two main goals: Make constructs for exploiting fluorescent reporter technology (gfp and DsRed encoding fluorescent proteins) aiming at studying fungal ecology and fungal interactions of relevance in plant pathology, including biological disease control. Constructing gene knock-outs for studying genes of importance in plant host/pathogen interactions as well as fungal/fungal interactions in biological disease control. The work will focus on Fusarium spp. and Phytophthora sp. as these species represent important pathogens in agricultural crops such as wheat and pea. Fungal species that are used as biocontrol agents belonging to the genera Trichoderma and Clonostachys will also be in focus. The applicant will be part of a team working with functional aspects of plant host/pathogen interactions and fungal/fungal interactions in biological disease control. The planned project constitutes an integrated part of ongoing research in the Department of Forest Mycology and Pathology and collaboration with already established projects is expected. The position is at the Department of Forest Mycology and Pathology, which is part of the newly established cluster Uppsala BioCenter. This cluster consists of five additional departments, Plant Biology and Forest Genetics, Microbiology, Chemistry, Food Science and Molecular Biology. The Department of Forest Mycology and Pathology undertakes fundamental and applied research focused on interactions involving disease causing, symbiotic and saprotrophic fungi and other microorganisms, as well as their roles in forest and agricultural systems. Important research areas include plant-microbe interactions and the molecular biology, molecular ecology and population biology of pathogenic, symbiotic and saprotrophic microorganisms, as well as modeling and practical management of plant diseases. Eligibility and qualifications: Applicants must have a PhD in molecular biology, microbiology or equivalent. The applicant should have documented experience of genetic transformation techniques. Experience of mycology is an advantage. The applicant should have good communication skills and proven skills in both oral and written scientific English. SLU is an Equal Opportunity Employer. For a complete advt: personal.slu.se/job