PhD Position - Molecular Stress Response Mechanisms

As part of the PhD program “MENTOR-Molecular Mechanisms to Improve Plant Resilience” (https://mentor.univie.ac.at) a PhD student position is available in the lab of Claudia Jonak to investigate the role of stress-responsive protein kinases in stress acclimation and yield stability under adverse environmental conditions.

Project description:

Crop production needs to increase to meet the projected future demands for plant derived resources. However, due to climate change, the impact of stress on plant growth and development is a pressing issue. Better understanding of the molecular mechanisms of plant acclimation to stress can provide a significant key to future crop improvement strategies. Protein kinases are key nodes in signaling coordinating multi-layered responses essential for stress resistance. The PhD project will focus on GSK3-like protein kinases to investigate the link between stress signal transduction, metabolic adaptation, and yield stability under adverse environmental conditions in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana and the old, re-emerging, climate-resilient oilseed crop Camelina sativa.

Starting date is beginning of 2023.

The successful candidates will work at the interface between basic and applied research at the AIT Austrian Institute of Technology in Tulln. AIT is a multidisciplinary research institution equipped with state-of-the-art facilities and is part of the Technopol Tulln which consists of research institutions, universities, and companies. Tulln is in the close vicinity of Vienna, the world's top city for quality of life.

APPLICATION:

Highly motivated candidates with a Master´s degree and practical experience in molecular biology, biochemistry, plant physiology or agronomic sciences are encouraged to apply.

To APPLY, please, send:

(i) A motivation letter explaining why you apply to MENTOR, addressing your qualifications and summarizing your previous research experiences (max. 1 page),

(ii) Abstract of your Master thesis (max. 2000 characters),

(iii) Curriculum vitae (CV) indicating your educational path with timeline and academic degrees, addressing your technical proficiency, past/ongoing projects you were scientifically involved, the contact details of at least two referees along with your publication list, presentations at congresses and awards if applicable, in a single pdf file via email to:

claudia.jonak@ait.ac.at

AIT Austria Institute of Technology | Tulln | Austria

https://www.ait.ac.at/themen/bioresources/improving-plant-vigor

Reviewing starts on 12^th December 2022. Late applications will be considered until the position is filled. For more information please contact: claudia.jonak@ait.ac.at