Postdoctoral Position: Pathogen Resistance to Biocontrol

Postdoctoral Position: Pathogen Resistance to Biocontrol

SLU - Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences

Alnarp, Sweden

Are you curious about microbial interactions and sustainable plant protection? We are looking for a postdoc who is interested in fundamental research at the intersections between microbial genetics and evolutionary ecology.

About the position

Biocontrol is seen as a cornerstone of sustainable plant protection. However, there are many knowledge gaps in relation to the use of microbial biocontrol agents (BCAs) for the control of plant diseases. We are interested in whether plant pathogens can evolve resistance or tolerance to microbial BCAs and if so, what are the mechanisms behind this? Using the model plant pathogens Botrytis cinerea and Phytophthora infestans we will investigate their immune reactions and evolutionary responses to experimental selection by biocontrol agents including Aureobasidium pullulans and Pythium oligandrum.

You will be part of a collegial interdisciplinary team working on integrated plant protection both molecular mechanistic and eco-evolutionary perspectives. You will be responsible for designing, developing, conducting, and analysing experiments, which will include small scale field and greenhouse trials, as well as in depth molecular, biochemical and microbiological studies. Duties include writing scientific manuscripts, presenting project outcomes at conferences and workshops, applying for grants, and supervising bachelor or master’s students as and when the opportunity arises.

Your profile

Candidates should hold a PhD in a natural sciences discipline, such as biology, ecology, plant pathology, microbial ecology, evolutionary biology or a similar subject. Candidates are expected to have strong conceptual and theoretical knowledge in ecology and evolutionary biology as well as molecular plant-microbe interactions. Previous research experience working with fungal and/or oomycete plant pathogens, biocontrol agents, and functional characterization of microbial genes are merits. The candidate should also demonstrate an excellent understanding of and ability to independently perform both bioinformatic and statistical analyses.

Excellent communication skills in both oral and written English are expected. The candidate must be capable of independent planning, execution and evaluation of experiments or theoretical work. As a person you are enthusiastic and responsible and have excellent collaborative skills.

As postdoctoral appointments are career-developing positions for junior researchers, we are primarily looking for candidates with a doctoral degree that is three years old at most.