The CSIC's Momentum Programme is part of Investment 4 of Component 19 of the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan (PRTR), which is articulated through the National Digital Skills Plan. Momentum was created with the aim of promoting a new generation of professionals with advanced digital skills that can be retained in the Spanish science and innovation ecosystem through the recruitment and training (240 ECTS), for 48 months, of research and technical staff.

PROJECT SUMMARY

Food productivity, security and sovereignty face an enormous challenge in the current climate change scenario, requiring innovative solutions. Future climate-smart agriculture needs to tackle key challenges: (1) Design of crops with improved stress and global warming performance, which equires breaking crop transformation barriers, increasing genetic diversity studies, and a more efficient use of synthetic biology tools and CRISPR technology; (2) Crop production with reduced used of fertilizers. Also, there is an urgent need for implementing AI-tools for boosting advances in crop-design and biostimulant development. In biomedicine, AI models have been in used for designing guide RNAs (gRNAs) for CRISPR-Cas systems. Tools like DeepCRISPR, CRISTA, and DeepHF have the capability to predict optimal guide RNAs (gRNAs) for a specified target sequence. These predictions take into account multiple factors, including genomic context, Cas protein type, desired mutation type, on-target/off-target scores, potential off-target sites, and the potential impacts of genome editing on gene function and cell phenotype. (https://doi.org/10.3389/fbioe.2023.1335901). This project aims to develop state-of-the-art technology for  designing climate change resilient crops and sustainable crop management. 

PROFESSIONAL PROFILE

Technological and scientific fields: Biotech; Climate change and biodiversity

Minimum requirements:

• Hold a PhD in Biotechnology, Biochemistry or equivalent.
• Proficiency in English and Spanish

Merits to be considered:

• Willingness to learn new experimental/computational/intellectual techniques.
• Motivation and commitment.
• Ability to design, execute and write up experimental work independently and to troubleshoot failed experiments.
• Ability to deal with quantitative aspects of plant growth and development.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team or independently as required.
• Good time management skills, ability to prioritize and meet deadlines.
• Able to communicate effectively with supervisors and collaborators.
• An understanding of the issues of confidentiality and acting accordingly.

WHAT IS OFFERED

In this project, AI and machine learning solutions will be applied to accelerate the development of plant varieties better adapted to complex environmental conditions and to identify new microalgae strains with beneficial agricultural properties. Computational algorithms will be generated to assist from gene editing design, to sustainable agrochemical development, and plant performance assessment based in phenomics.  For this purpose the candidate will receive 160 ECTS training including genome editing and computational skills, secondments in leading research institutes and transversal skills (leadership, science communication, technology transfer, ethics, career development, among others).

Contract conditions:

Indefinite contract for a Postdoctoral Researcher associated to the Momentum Project of 4 years' duration according to Spanish science law. Gross annual salary (41.000 € - 52.000 €).

*In the event that no candidate meets the requirements described in the call, there will be the possibility of entering a reserve process, allowing for the incorporation of a PhD or a senior degree holder.

Start of contract: before 31 december 2024

PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR CONTACT:

Email: elena.montecragenomica.es / maria.loiscragenomica.es

Phone: +34935636600

MOMENTUM PROGRAM CONTACT:

Email: momentumcsic.es