ABOUT CRAG:

The Center for Research in Agricultural Genomics (CRAG; www.cragenomica.es) CSIC-IRTA-UAB-UB is an independent research institute devoted to plant and agricultural sciences. CRAG offers excellent facilities to perform cutting-edge research, and an enhanced training and support program for PhD students and postdoctoral researchers. Research at CRAG encompasses basic science in plant development, physiology, metabolism and genetics; synthetic biology; bioinformatics and genomics of plants and farm animals; and applied projects developed together with Agbio, Biotech, and Breeding companies. CRAG is located at the campus of the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB), and currently hosts over 200 members from across the world.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

CRAG is looking for a PhD student to conduct her/his thesis work on the topic of “The plant peptidome: a new layer on plant regulatory mechanisms”. We seek to incorporate a highly talented and motivated PhD student that is interested in modern, multidisciplinary plant sciences, encompassing experimental and bioinformatic approaches.

Peptides play multiple roles in plants, controlling development and growth or affecting stress responses. However, the genome-wide coding potential of short open reading frames in eukaryotes has been underestimated and overlooked until recently, and the plant peptidome is still largely uncharacterized. We are interested in defining the plant peptidome (sORFs and hidden coding sequences in plant genomes) and in the identification of novel peptides potentially involved in developmental and stress processes, using Arabidopsis and pea as our experimental systems, to eventually develop peptides as a tool for sustainable agriculture.  

The successful candidate will participate in, build on, and lead projects for the characterization of the Arabidopsis and pea peptidome and of its roles in flower development and other processes. Research will involve a combination of genomic, proteomic, genetic and cell biology technologies as well as bioinformatic approaches and extensive large-scale data analyses.

The tasks are included within the framework of the research project PID2022-139578NB-I00

For more information about the research group (Principal investigator: Dr. José Luis Riechmann):

http://www.icrea.cat/Web/ScientificStaff/Jose-Luis-Riechmann-Fernandez-444

https://www.cragenomica.es/research-groups/gene-regulatory-networks-plant-development

REQUIREMENTS:

Educational requirements: BS in Biology, Biochemistry or similar. MS in Plant Biology, Molecular Biology, Genetics, Genomics, Bioinformatics or similar. MS degree might be in progress, but must be obtained by July 2024 in order to engage in the UAB PhD program in September 2024.

Skills: Strong skills in communication, organization, and interpersonal relations. English language skills are essential, but knowledge of Spanish is not a requirement. Molecular biology research skills and/or data analysis and bioinformatics skills will be very positively considered. Applicants with experience in plant genetics and molecular biology (in Arabidopsis or other plant species) and genomics and proteomics are especially encouraged to apply.

Experience: Previous research experience, particularly in topics related to the research project and in the indicated skills, will be very positively considered.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Contract Duration: 24 months, renewable

Hours/week: full time

SUBMITTING APPLICATIONS:

Please submit all the application through CRAG website: https://recruitment.cragenomica.es/

CRAG is committed to the principles of the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers of the European Commission. All candidates will be considered for the position without restrictions of gender, race, nationality or disability.

Interested candidates must submit the following documents:

-      Curriculum vitae, including the contact information for three references.

-      Full official academic transcript (list of attended courses and corresponding grades).

-      Motivation letter, including a brief summary of education, work experience and achievements, and a statement of research interests and career goals (2 pages maximum).

For informal inquiries or questions about the position, please contact: joseluis.riechmann [at] cragenomica.es

Deadline: Until filled

Start date: As soon as possible, and no later than July 2024.