Postdoctoral position in microalgal cell and molecular biology

Postdoctoral position in microalgal cell and molecular biology

The Department of Organismal Biology at Uppsala University explores the evolution, systematics, development and function on the organismal level.

At the program of physiology and environmental toxicology, we are using molecular tools and experimental models to investigate how cellular and molecular mechanisms affect the physiology and toxic responses of the whole organism in animals, human cells, microbes and photosynthetic organisms.

In this inspiring environment, the laboratory of Petroutsos investigates the molecular mechanisms involved in the sensing and response of green microalgae to changes in light and CO2 availability, and in the regulation of photosynthetic CO2 capture and partitioning. We carry out basic research with the aim of achieving a systems view of photosynthetic dynamics in microalgae, but also with a view to green biotechnology applications. More information is available on our website.

Duties

We offer three postdoctoral positions to conduct research on the model green microalga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii with the aim of:

(i) Revealing the signalling role of CO2 in a recently discovered pathway that controls light-responsive gene expression in the complete absence of light (funded by the Swedish Research Council).
(ii) Enhancing phototrophic growth by using metabolic engineering to modify transcription factors (funded by Novo Nordisk Foundation).
(iii) Engineering light signalling pathways to generate microalgal cell factories that co-produce starch and hydrogen (funded by Horizon Europe).

In addition to research, some participation in supervision of doctoral students, master's and project students as well as communication of research results through scientific articles in well-established scientific journals and presentations at international conferences are also included as important aspects of the employment.

Requirements
PhD degree in biology/chemistry or a foreign degree equivalent to a PhD degree in biology/chemistry. The degree needs to be obtained by the time of the decision of employment. Those who have obtained a PhD degree three years prior to the application deadline are primarily considered for the employment. The starting point of the three-year frame period is the application deadline. Due to special circumstances, the degree may have been obtained earlier. The three-year period can be extended due to circumstances such as sick leave, parental leave, duties in labour unions, etc.

We are looking for dynamic, self-motivated, team-oriented postdoctoral researchers, with enthusiasm for learning and commitment to scientific integrity. We require documented knowledge and experience of microalgae cultivation and physiology, modern molecular biology and biochemistry tools, including protein and gene expression analyses by immunoblotting and RT-qPCR, genetic transformation and genotyping. Excellent scientific writing skills in English and excellent oral and written communication in English is a requirement for the employment.

Additional qualifications
Previous experience in synthetic biology will be highly appreciated.

About the employment
The employment is a temporary position of 2 years according to central collective agreement. Full time position. Starting date 2024-08-01 or as agreed. Placement: Uppsala

For further information about the position, please contact: : Dimitris Petroutsos, +46 18-471 4783, Dimitris.petroutsos@ebc.uu.se

Please submit your application by 10th May 2024, UFV-PA 2024/1312.

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