[Arabidopsis] post-doc position in plant circadian biology, UC Davis

[Stacey Harmer]

Post-doctoral Research Position at UC Davis

A post-doctoral position in circadian biology is available in the =
Department of Plant Biology at UC Davis, starting on 1/1/2013 or upon =
agreement.

The NSF-sponsored project focuses on the characterization of pathways =
that coordinate plant growth with daily environmental changes using =
sunflower as a model system.  Sunflower plants are well known to be =
robust solar trackers, adjusting their growth during the day so that =
their leaves and apices are consistently perpendicular to the suns rays. =
 Remarkably, they also re-orient their growth during the night in =
anticipation of the timing and direction of dawn, so that they are =
facing east well before the sun rises.  We have recently shown that this =
directed growth at night in anticipation of dawn is controlled by the =
plant circadian clock.  The circadian clock influences multiple light =
and hormone signaling pathways in Arabidopsis (Covington and Harmer, =
2007; reviewed in Harmer, 2009), but it is not clear how these pathways =
are integrated with each other.  Sunflower, with its recently sequenced =
genome, provides an ideal model system to investigate this question.  =
The successful post-doc applicant will use RNA-seq and a high throughput =
hormone analysis platform to identify pathways involved in =
clock-coordinated directional growth.  These studies will provide novel =
insights into how the light and circadian networks work together to =
control plant growth in the natural environment.=20

The candidate should be familiar with standard molecular techniques and =
have an interest in circadian biology and pathways regulating plant =
growth.  Previous experience with RNA-seq, expression analysis, and =
hormone response would be a definite plus.  This project will be =
performed at the Dept. of Plant Biology at the University of California, =
Davis, under the supervision of Dr. Stacey Harmer.  With over 100 =
plant-focused research groups and a strong program in the biological =
sciences in many model systems, UC Davis provides an excellent =
environment for fundamental studies in plant biology.  Davis is a =
pleasant college town located in the northern Central Valley of =
California.  It is 20 minutes from the state capital (Sacramento), and =
1hr 20=92 from San Francisco.

Applications should be submitted in electronic form, and should include =
a CV, a short description of previous research and current research =
interests, and three letters of reference.  The candidate should have =
obtained his or her PhD within the last 3 years.  A strong record of =
publication will be the major criterion for screening applications.  =
Inquiries and applications should include the subject line =93Postdoctoral=
 Position=94 and should be sent to:=20

Dr. Stacey Harmer

slharmer from ucdavis.edu

1-530-752-8101