Postdoc Position on the Regulation of Plasmodesmata

Institute of Plant Molecular Biology

Plant Molecular Signalling

Employment contract

We are a research campus with a strong tradition in biosciences focused on complex ecological, evolutionary & developmental aspects of LIFE. We are looking for excellent & highly motivated candidates for a Post doctoral position on the regulation of plasmodesmata.

A postdoctoral researcher position is available in the newly established (since December 2020) laboratory of Dr. Michael Wrzaczek at the Institute of Plant Molecular Biology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Ceske Budejovice (https://www.umbr.cas.cz/en/departments/plant-molecular-signalling/). The group works on receptor-like protein kinases (RLKs), specifically on the cysteine-rich RLKs (CRKs), primarily in the model system Arabidopsis thaliana. The position aims at understanding the molecular roles of cysteine-rich receptor-like protein kinases in the regulation of plasmodesmata during the response to environmental stimuli and on elucidating the mechanisms of RLK recruitment to plasmodesmata. Some previous work can be found here: Kimura et al. Plant Cell 2020; Hunter et al., 2019 Plant Physiology; Vaattovaara et al., 2019 Communications Biology.

The project will be carried out in collaboration with working groups in France, Germany, and Czech Republic so a suitable candidate is expected to be willing to travel.

The researcher will use a diverse set of methods including cloning, recombinant protein expression and purification, generation and work with mutant and transgenic plants (analysis of protein complexes, confocal microscopy) as well as plant physiological assays for immunity, abiotic stress tolerance and development.

Competitive candidate should have:

• PhD in Molecular Biology, Biochemistry or a related field,
• proficiency in English – oral and written,
• familiarity with molecular biological techniques (PCR, cloning, Western blotting) and plant physiology,
• basic computer skills (Microsoft office, statistics) are required, experience with R is beneficial but not mandatory,
• prior experience with research on plants is a plus but not strictly required,
• experience with protein work (production of recombinant proteins in bacteria, yeast or animal cell culture), proteomics or confocal microscopy is a plus,
• openness to learn new techniques and concepts, ability to drive a research project forward.

We offer you:

• Position for 3 years (possible start from January 2023),
• exciting projects understanding signal transduction in plants,
• support for career development and mentoring,
• stimulating English language environment,
• international team and collaboration and opportunities to travel,
• meals allowance, full health insurance, student benefits,
• administration support with relocation & settlement in the Czech Republic,
• work-life balance in a middle-sized university city offering options for outdoor, sport & cultural activities.

Other employment benefits:

• 1 extra week of holiday, i.e. 5 weeks of paid holiday per year in total,
• subsidized lunches in our own canteen,
• benefits from Social fund,
• working in a stable, prestigious research institution of international importance,
• friendly international working environment,
• support of leisure time activities,
• free language classes – Czech for foreigners, English for Czechs,
• opportunity to take part in mentoring programmes as a mentor or a mentee,
• concessionary mobile tariff at the contractual operator,
• concessionary banking services at the contractual bank.

Česke Budějovice (2 hours away from Prague) is a city with over 750 years of tradition. It has history wherever you turn, excellent beer, breathtaking countryside around, and a growing international expert community at the Biology Centre CAS (BC CAS) and the University of South Bohemia (USB). Check out our Guide for Expats (https://www.bc.cas.cz/en/employees/) to read about life in the city and the Czech Republic.

The Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences holds the HR Excellence in Research Award. Our selection process is transparent, open, non-discriminating, and fair. For more information about the researchers' recruitment policy at our institution, see OTM-R (https://www.bc.cas.cz/en/employees/candidates/otm-r/).

Interviews and admission exams with selected applicants will be held in January 2023. The expected start date is as early as possible but is negotiable.

Please submit your structured CV including list of publications, motivation letter and a contact information for two academic referees via the REPLY button below by December 31th 2022. Please note that documents should be submitted in a single pdf file.

Informal inquiries can be directed via email to michael.wrzaczek@umbr.cas.cz.