Postdoctoral position(2 years); dynamic composition of the Mediator complex - Befattningen är under tillsättning eller redan tillsatt, och det är inte längre möjligt att lämna in en ansökan

A postdoctoral position is open at the Department of Plant Physiology, Umeå Plant Science (www.upsc.se) Centres; a highly stimulating research environment at Umeå University. We are looking for a highly motivated candidate to work within the project “Decoding Signalling Networks Controlling Plant Stress Responses”, a large multidisciplinary 5-year project that involves 3 research groups. The position is for two years.

Project description

We propose that plant stress responses are mediated by a central regulatory hub, the multiprotein Mediator complex, an evolutionarily conserved co-regulator complex required for transcription of all RNA polymerase II-dependent genes in eukaryotes. Our hypothesis is that Mediator integrates different stress signals to control the expression of genes required for stress acclimation through direct interaction with transcription factors and cis-elements and/or through chromatin remodelling. To reveal the regulatory mechanisms of Mediator and to functionally define stress responses at all organisational levels we will construct a holistic model of plant stress responses by combining multilayer network algorithms and hidden Markov models. Integrating collected experimental data from the different organisational levels, e.g. from the input signals, through the receiving mediator subunits and out to the changes in gene expression and the resultant stress response phenotype, will allow us to generate a dynamic and comprehensive model of the complex signalling networks triggered by exposure to stress. The project “Decoding Signalling Networks Controlling Plant Stress Responses” is multidisciplinary and provides challenging projects for postdoctoral training where the fellows will solve problems using methodologies from biology and physics, taking advantage of advanced technical platforms in the environment.

Postdoctoral project: Determine if Mediator composition is static or if modules or individual subunits are rearranged in response to different types of stress. The general composition of Mediator is evolutionarily conserved and relatively well described for several eukaryotes from yeast to human. However, it is still unclear if its composition is static or if modules or individual subunits are rearranged e.g. in response to different types of stress.

We will use a combination of biochemical and structural methods in order to characterize the composition-function relationship of the Arabidopsis Mediator in response to stress signalling. We will use a unique Arabidopsis cell line as an experimental system.

Qualifications

Successful candidates will have a PhD degree, or equivalent, in molecular biology or biochemistry. To be eligible, the degree should have been completed a maximum of three years before the end of the application period unless certain circumstances exist.

Experience with plants and plant cell lines as experimental systems is an advantage. The candidate should have extensive laboratory experience with molecular and biochemical methods. Experience of purification of large protein complexes is also desirable. An ability to work independently as well as in a team, and good skills in the English language, are essential.

Applications

The application should contain

• a cover letter with a description of your research experiences and scientific interests (max 2 pages)
• CV with full publication list
• copies of the relevant degree certificates
• copies of the PhD thesis and of relevant publications (max 3 publications)
• contact information of two referees.

The application is to be submitted on the MyNetwork Pro recruitment system by March 19, 2018 at the latest.