PhD Positions: Mechanisms of Oxidative Stress Tolerance in Rice, Germany

A new research group will be established at the Institute of Crop Science and Resource Conservation (INRES) of the University of Bonn (Germany), funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG) under the ‘Emmy Noether’ programme.

The group will explore the adaptation of cereal crops, especially rice, to abiotic environmental stresses, which are major constraints to global food security. A common denominator of many types of environmental stress - such as mineral deficiencies, toxicities, or high tropospheric ozone concentration - is that they result in ‘oxidative stress’ caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS). The aim of the research group is to find mechanisms by which plants can detoxify and tolerate ROS, and to identify the genes associated with such tolerance mechanisms. The group will employ a highly interdisciplinary approach that incorporates aspects of plant breeding, physiology, biochemistry, and crop agronomy. The work is essentially laboratory and greenhouse based, but field experiments are planned together with international collaborators in China, the Philippines, Benin, etc.
Within this research group, funding for doctoral research (PhD scholarships) is available.

Benefits:
- A PhD scholarship of approximately EUR 1000,- monthly (including social and health insurance) for a period of three years;
- Sufficient research funds and access to the research infrastructure of INRES and other institutes of the University of Bonn;
- Integration into an international research network that includes partners in Japan, China, the Philippines, Benin, etc. Collaborative work and field studies planned;
- Good working atmosphere in a small and efficient research team.

Required qualifications:
- Excellent master or equivalent degree in crop science, biotechnology, biochemistry, or related discipline;
- Laboratory experience;
- Fluency in oral and written English;
- Interest in a career in science;
- German language skills or willingness to learn advantageous;
- International research experience and peer-reviewed publications are an additional advantage.

Application procedure:
Interested candidates are requested to submit the following documents (in English) by email in a single PDF file:
- A cover letter explaining the applicant’s motivation;
- A tabular CV of not more than two pages that summarizes the applicant’s personal data, education, work experience, and other interests;
- A list of publications, if any;
- A one-page summary of the applicant’s master thesis;
- Copy of relevant certificates (Master, Bachelor, Toefl, etc.);
- The names and addresses of 2-3 references that can judge the applicant’s scientific qualifications.

The title of the PDF-file should be the candidate’s family name followed by the submission date (e.g. Einstein_24_12_1927). Only complete applications following these guidelines will be considered. Applicants will be notified whether they will be considered for a personal interview within two months of receipt of their application. At that time, personal references indicated by the applicant may be contacted. Candidate screening will start in March 2011 and continue until all positions are filled.

Applications should be sent by email to:
Dr. Michael Frei
Institute of Crop Science and Resource Conservation (INRES)
Plant Nutrition
Karlrobert-Kreiten Strasse 13
53115 Bonn
Germany
Tel. +49-228-731636mfrei@uni-bonn.de

Application Deadline : 31 March 2011