MSCA-IF Biotechnology scientist to study use of agroindustrial composts as biofertilizer

Brief description of the Institution and Research Group

SACSIS is selecting a competitive candidate for the Institute of Plant Biotechnology (IBV) at the Technical University of Cartagena. The IBV was created in 2000 to establish and consolidate groups of excellence in the Region of Murcia in plant biotechnology, agro-food and engineering of biological systems, with the development of relevant projects in production agricultural and derived industry. Since its launch in 2001, the IBV has obtained competitive grants from the MEC for infrastructure and technical personnel from the R+D+I units: Molecular Genetics, Phytogenetic Resources, Secondary Metabolites, Biotechnological Processes, Microbiology and Food Safety, Insecticide Resistance and Food Quality and Health. In addition, with its transfer of technology and services, it favors business development.

The group is working on different research lines: Study of the resistance mechanisms of plants against pathogens; Characterization of plant genetic resources; Production in hydroponics of baby leaf vegetables with high quality for its commercialization as minimally processed products, focusing on the part of induction of stresses to improve the nutritional value of these vegetables.

Project description:

The project is to demonstrate the benefits of the use of agroindustrial composts as biofertilizer properties and inducer of healthy properties in the cultivation of baby leaf vegetables in an hydropinic culture (floating system). They will be also studied as biopesticide against different plant pathogens comparing with the use of ozone microbubble in the nutrient solution within a sustainable intensive agriculture.

One of the aims of this project is to have a deeper knowledge about the priming effect in the plant causes for the way in which the plants are cultivated (using compost or ozone microbubblee or both). Primed plants display either faster, stronger, or both activation of the various cellular defense responses that are induced following attack by either pathogens or insects or in response to abiotic stress. Although the phenomenon has been known for decades, most progress in our understanding of priming has to be made. In order to study the differences among the treatments, we are going to use a next generation sequencing (NGS) procedure of the DNA for discovering, profiling and quantifying RNA transcripts, so this technology allows for measure gene expression (RNA-Seq). The analysis of RNA-Seq data, which comprise discrete counts of reads mapped to genes or transcripts, is made up of different parts: quality control checks on raw sequence data, mapping reads to a reference genome, counts of reads and the detection of differentially expressed genes across different biological conditions. The results would give a lot information about candidate genes implicated in the priming induced by compost or ozone microbubbles.

Benefits for applying candidates

• Competitive candidates will be selected for applying to a Marie Curie IF grant that covers full salary (4.650€/month) + family allowance (500€/month) + R&D expenses.
• High motivation and ability to be involved in an international multidisciplinary team. Mobility experience, participation in research projects and scientific productivity is appreciated.

Additional benefits

• Selected candidate will be mentored and trained for applying to a Marie Sklodowska Curie IF grant.

Eligibility criteria

• Most fitting profile (expertise) for the described project.
• Mobility rule: Researchers must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, investigation, etc.) in Spain for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to the call deadline (14/09/2018).

Selection process

• Open quest to select the best candidates
• Documents needed to apply: CV + One page motivation letter is positively valued

Required Research Experiences

• Biotechnology Science: 4-10 years

Required education level:

• Biotechnology Science Degree and PhD
• Knowledge in plant physiology and in interactions between microorganisms and plants.
• Expertise in molecular biology techniques such as RNA extraction, real time PCR, sequencing, etc.
• Knowledge of bioinformatics.

Skills/Qualifications

• Exceptional scientific production in this field.
• Fluent English (full skills and B2-C1- Cambridge equivalent level appreciated)