[Arabidopsis] 3 PhD positions available

[melinka butenko]

3 PhD positions available in Molecular Biology

There are 3 PhD positions available on the project entitled: “Signal 
transduction in cell separation processes in plants”. This is a FUGE 
(Functional Genomics) funded project that aims at understanding the 
molecular mechanisms and genetic interactions that regulate the process 
which ultimately leads to cell-cell separation in plants.

Previous studies have shown that the cell separation process leading to 
floral organ abscission in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana is 
regulated by IDA (INFLORESCENCE DEFICIENT IN ABSCISSION), a small, plant 
specific peptide that is believed to act as an extracellular ligand 
involved in cell-cell signaling (Butenko et al., 2003; Stenvik et al., 
2006). IDA is a member of a family of six genes in Arabidopsis, where 
the other IDA-LIKE (IDL) genes are thought to be involved in various 
cell separation processes essential for proper plant development. In 
this project we will study how the signalling transduction mechanism of 
IDA/IDL regulates cell separation. The main goals of the project are to 
identify the biological function of these peptides, their receptors and 
transport routes, and their signal cascades and effect on gene expression.

One PhD position is available at the Department of Molecular 
Biosciences, University of Oslo for a period of 3 years. The position is 
associated to the Genomics, Gene regulation and Gene function Program in 
Professor Reidunn Aalens group (http://www.imbv.uio.no/gen/groups/aalen/).
Two positions are available at the Department of Biology, Norwegian 
University of Science and Technology, Trondheim for a period of 4 years 
with 25% teaching duty. The positions are associated with the Cell and 
Molecular Biology Group led by Professor Atle M. Bones 
(http://boneslab.bio.ntnu.no/index.html).

The project is a close collaboration between Professor Aalen and 
Professor Bones and short term research visits in both Oslo and 
Trondheim are expected during the project period for all candidates.

The positions require a Master degree or similar within molecular 
biology, cell biology, biotechnology or biochemistry. Experience from 
work on Arabidopsis is an advantage, but not a requirement. The 
applicant must be qualified for the doctoral program within these 
disciplines. We will put emphasis on composing a research team with 
complementary skills, where competence in molecular biology is essential.

For a detailed description of the three positions please see: 
http://boneslab.bio.ntnu.no/open_positions.html

UiO application deadline: June 19
NTNU application deadline: June 22
Project start date: September 1st, 2007

Questions regarding the positions can be directed to Professor Reidunn 
B. Aalen (reidunn.aalen from imbv.uio.no) tlf. +47 22 85 72 97, Professor 
Atle M. Bones (atle.bones from bio.ntnu.no) tlf. +47 73 59 86 92 or 
Researcher Tore Brembu (tore.brembu from bio.ntnu.no) tlf. +47 73 59 62 22.

-- 
Dr. Melinka Butenko
Department of Molecular Biosciences
PO box 1041 Blindern
N-0316 Oslo
Norway

E-mail: m.a.butenko from imbv.uio.no

Office +47 22 85 46 04
Lab +47 22 85 46 03
Cell phone +47 917 66 980
Fax +47 22 85 60 41