Postdoc position in SIGS for weed control

Crop production in the agricultural and horticultural sector will continue to require maximum yield in combination with reduced environmental impact and energy consumption. To meet these requirements, better cultivars with increased resistance and tolerance to biotic and biotic stress factors, more efficient nutrient absorption and demanded product quality are needed together with innovations that provide more sustainable cultivation. Research in this project is focused on developing a new and environmentally sustainable method of weed control that reduce the need for today's herbicides.

The control of problematic weed species in both autumn and spring-sown crops often involves extensive herbicide spraying. This approach not only raises environmental concerns but also leads to herbicide resistance. Consequently, there is a pressing need to explore alternative methods for chemical weed control. This postdoctoral position is linked to a project that aims to develop and evaluate an environmentally friendly weed control method utilizing RNA interference. The method, known as Spray-Induced Gene Silencing (SIGS), employs double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) to target and modulate mRNAs of essential genes in weed species. The project focuses on Alopecurus myosuroides, commonly known as Black-Grass, as the primary weed species for study.

For this position, you must have received your PhD degree not more than three years prior to the deadline of this application and have a research focus in plant molecular biology, small RNAs, plant breeding, or similar. You should have the ability to work independently as well as in a team. You should have contributed to research through publications in peer reviewed international journals. Prior experience with small RNA studies, omics including proteomics, confocal microscopy and bioinformatics is a merit. You should be motivated and highly interested in modulating plant traits at a molecular level and have excellent English language skills (both oral and written).

SLU Department of Plant Breeding, located in Alnarp (near Lund and Malmö, in southern Sweden), focuses on research, education and innovation of strategic importance for a sustainable and profitable cultivation of crops for production of plant based food, feed and industrial products. The Department offers an inspiring, multidisciplinary, innovative and creative research environment and cooperation around current and future challenges.

For more information about the department or division visit: https://www.slu.se/en/departments/plant-breeding/

Read more about our benefits and working at SLU by visiting: https://www.slu.se/en/about-slu/work-at-slu/

Alnarp, Sweden

Scholarship

100%

As agreed. 

Please submit your application before deadline 3 Maj 2024. You can submit your application by clicking the button below.

https://internt.slu.se/en/my-employment/employee-associations/kontaktpersoner-vid-rekrytering/

The Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) has a key role in the development for sustainable life, based on science and education. Through our focus on the interaction between humans, animals and ecosystems and the responsible use of natural resources, we contribute to sustainable societal development and good living conditions on our planet. Our main campuses are located in Alnarp, Umeå and Uppsala, however, the university also operates at research stations, experimental forests and teaching sites throughout Sweden.

SLU has around 3,000 employees, 5,000 students and doctoral students and a turnover of over SEK 3 billion. We are investing in attractive environments on all of our campuses. We strive to provide a work environment characterised by inclusivity and gender equality, where different experiences generate conversations between people and pave the way for science, creativity and development. Therefore, we welcome applications from people with diverse backgrounds and perspectives.

Contact person

URL to this pagehttps://www.slu.se/en/about-slu/work-at-slu/jobs-vacancies/?rmpage=job&rmjob=10140&rmlang=UK