ABOUT CRAG:

CRAG is an independent research institution engaged in leading-edge basic and applied plant and farm animal sciences. CRAG is established as a Consortium of the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), Institute of Agrifood Research and Technology (IRTA), Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB), and University of Barcelona (UB). The Center is located at the UAB Campus, and currently hosts 200 members from across the world.

Research Programs at CRAG (from basic science to applied research using plant experimental model systems, crops and farm animals) make extensive use of genomic technologies and large sets of genetic and genomic data (http://biennialreport2018-2019.cragenomica.es/).

RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Center for Research in Agricultural Genomics (CRAG) is looking for a PhD Student to be part of the group Plant Immune Responses to Pathogen Infection.

The candidate will be involved in studies related to the rice defense response to pathogen infection under conditions of nutrient stress. It includes the molecular and phenotypical analysis of rice plants with altered expression of microRNAs (or miRNA target genes), and disease resistance assays. The candidate well also be involved in the evaluation of miRNAs as antifungal agents for protection of rice plants against fungal diseases.

The tasks are included within the framework of the project RTI2018-101275-B-I00 “Función de miRNAs (miRNAs) en la immunidad innata de las plantas en situación de estrés nutricional”.

REQUIREMENTS:

Educational requirements: Candidates should have a University degree in Biology or Microbiology, and a Master in Plant Biology and Biotechnology and PhD.

Skills: working experience in microbiology and molecular biology, as well as in plant defense responses to stress will be essential.

Experience: Plant-pathogen interactions, analysis of microRNAs. Mechanisms involved in iron homeostasis in rice plants.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Contract Duration: 3 months

Hours/week: full time

SUBMITTING APPLICATIONS:

Please submit all the application through CRAG website: http://www.cragenomica.es/jobs

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 qualified for the job without restrictions of gender, race, nationality or disability.

Interested candidates must submit the following documents:

-              Curriculum vitae

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

-              Student’s certified Academic Record, including a detailed record of study / transcript (a list of attended courses and corresponding grades)

-              Any additional files considered relevant to the application, but please only provide documents that are important to support it two reference letters from university lecturers or scientists with whom the applicant has studied or worked

Start date: December 2021