Postdoctoral Researcher in Plant-thrips-virus Interactions

Postdoctoral Researcher in Plant-thrips-virus Interactions

UvA - University of Amsterdam

Amsterdam, Netherlands

€ 3.546 - € 5.538 per month gross

We are looking for a postdoctoral researcher to work on an ambitious project on cross‑kingdom small-RNAs and effector proteins in the Tospovirus–thrips–tomato pathosystem. You will unravel how small RNAs and proteinaceous effectors from thrips reprogram host defenses, and how host plant small RNAs in turn affect virus replication in the insect vector.

Building on rich preliminary datasets of thrips and tomato sRNA and mRNA profiles, you will validate candidate effectors and their plant targets and explore how modifying these targets alters thrips performance and virus transmission. You will work closely with another postdoctoral researcher and our breeding industry partners in an interdisciplinary team that develops molecular tools and breeding concepts for durable resistance to pests and viruses in crops.

This is what you will do

• work with plants, insects (thrips) and plant viruses, including performing bioassays;
• analyze and integrate (s)RNAseq and proteomics data;
• apply and implement advanced biochemistry, molecular biology, and cell biology; including cloning, transformation and validation of interacting partners using transient assays and other in planta gene-silencing or editing approaches;
• report and present your work progress on a regular basis to our industrial partners and write scientific publications;
• actively participate in scientific discussions in our research field and our university;
• contribute as a (pro-)active team player to the organization of our laboratory.

What we ask of you

You are an ambitious person, a team player with an open character. You are enthusiastic and willing to become multidisciplinary with a keen eye on Plant virology and/or Plant-microbe interactions.

Next to this you have/are:

• a PhD degree in Plant biology with 1 or more publications as first author in a peer-reviewed scientific journal;
• preferentially, skilled in working with RNA, proteins and plant biochemistry;
• affinity with bioinformatics and quantitative analysis of omics datasets (e.g. RNAseq/sRNAseq), and willingness to further develop these skills;
• hands-on experience in and affinity with molecular biology (cloning strategies, CRISPR-Cas strategies, synthetic biology, plant transformations);
• enthusiasm for working in a public–private partnership, including regular interaction with breeding company partners and appreciation of confidentiality in such collaborations;
• strong communication skills in English, both spoken and written, with a track record in scientific writing;
• a collaborative, open attitude and the ability to work independently, manage multiple activities in parallel and drive your research line within a larger interdisciplinary team.