Post-Doctoral Position - Molecular Ecology of Tree-Insect Interactions
Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences, is searching for researcher to a new project, co-financed from the Operational Programme Research, Development and Education “Building up an excellent scientific team and its spatio-technical background focused on mitigation of the impact of climatic changes to forests from the level of gene to the level of landscape at the FFWS CZU Prague”, reg. no. CZ.02.1.01/0.0/0.0/15_003/0000433, Post-Doctoral Position in “Level G’ to work on the Molecular Ecology of Tree-Insect Interactions.
Background
Chemical defenses often occur as pools of stored chemicals (e.g., phenolics, terpenoids, and alkaloids) to be released upon attack. However, chemical defenses in trees also include enzymes such as chitinases and glucanases that can degrade components of invasive organisms, toxic proteins, and inhibitors of enzymes. Our Molecular lab will study the tree-insect interactions among trees of different stress levels induced by different biotic and abiotic factors. We aim to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underpinning successful colonization by beetles. Through transcriptomics and functional proteomic approach, we will identify differentially abundant proteins, responsible for diverse plant tolerance. First, in the digestion by the midgut of larvae and adults of the beetles. Second, we focus on adult tolerance (detoxification) to the strong defenses in the bark of the stem. These identified differentially abundant proteins may serve as targets for weakening insect defense or support tree defense and thus aid in future pest management in the forest ecosystems. Responsibilities will predominantly be data collection, data analysis, and manuscript preparations.
Qualifications for the position
- Completed Ph.D. education;
- Research experiences of molecular biology and physiology of insects, especially transcriptomics, RNAi, and/or proteomics studies.
- Experience in NGS data analysis is an advantage;
- Evidence of publication activity at the level of international, good impact factor publications; Excellent English communication and writing skills on the level of native speaker.
Key responsibilities
- Carries out R&D activities within the assigned sub-tasks and is encouraged to take part in further fundraising with senior scientists;
- Cooperates with and supervises students of the Research Centre in the field of his/her expertise;
- publishes the results of his/her work in good international journals.
- Reports to level G leader
We offer
- Working on a temporary contract (2 years), but with possibilities of extension.
- Work full-time employment (1.0)
- Salary: 1 300 – 2 000 €, depending on experience (Advantage: Low living expenses in Prague)
- Place of work: Kamýcká 129, 16500 Prague – Suchdol, Czech Rep. (EU)
- Participation in the creation of scientific excellence at the Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences CZU in Prague, Czech Republic.
- Benefits of the CZU employee.
- Work in a dynamic, international, cooperative and high professional quality team
The following documents must be documented along with the application:
- Curriculum Vitae
- Letter of motivation
- Publication list
For more information about the position, please contact us:
Dr.Amit Roy
EXTEMIT-K
https://home.czu.cz/roy/uvod
Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences
Czech University of Life Sciences Prague
Kamýcká 129, 165 21 Praha 6 – Suchdol
roy@fld.czu.cz