PhD positions (RNA Biology): Regulation and functions of alternative splicing in plants (m/f/d)PhD - Individual Supervisor

Thinking of doing your PhD in the Life Sciences? The International PhD Programme (IPP) on Gene Regulation, Epigenetics & Genome Stability is offering talented, young scientists the chance to work on cutting edge research projects. As an IPP PhD student, you will join a community of exceptional scientists working on diverse topics ranging from how organisms age or how our DNA is repaired, to how epigenetics regulates cellular identity or neural memory.

Activities and responsibilities

In the field of “RNA Biology” the research group of Andreas Wachter offers the following 2 PhD projects:

Alternative splicing (AS) massively increases transcriptome complexity in higher eukaryotes, with critical implications in development and stress responses. The Wachter group and others have previously shown that seedling photomorphogenesis is accompanied and supported by AS changes. In our ongoing research, we examine the molecular mechanisms and signaling pathways underlying rapid re-programming of the transcriptome via AS to steer seedling development in a light-dependent manner.

PhD Project 1: Regulation of alternative splicing by R-loop formation in Arabidopsis

In the field of "RNA Biology", the research group of Andreas Wachter offers the following two PhD projects (for more information on these projects, please see the link to the positions): 

In the context of this PhD project, we will address the following major questions: 1) Are R-loops overrepresented in regions displaying light-dependent AS? 2) Does light exposure of dark-grown seedlings alter R-loop formation as quickly as changes occur on the level of AS? 3) Do mutants with altered expression of the nuclear RNH1A show alterations in their light responses, considering R-loop formation, AS, and development?

This project will be part of the RTG on R-loop Regulation in Robustness and Resilience (4R), and is pending of this programme being supported by third party funding.

If you are interested in this project, please select Wachter (Rloop) as your group preference in the IPP application platform.

PhD project 2: Condensation of RS splicing regulators in light-dependent plant development

In the context of this PhD project, we will identify proteins and RNAs that are in contact or in complexes with RS41, by comparing etiolated seedlings before and after light/sucrose exposure. These experiments will involve in vivo labelling techniques established in the Wachter group such as TRIBE for RNAs (targets of RNA-binding proteins identified by editing; Loeser et al., in revision) and proximity labelling for proteins. Candidate factors will be independently validated, e.g., by using iCLIP for RNA targets of the RS proteins, and will provide the basis for functional studies in follow-up projects.

This project is part of the CRC 1551 (https://crc1551.com/ ) on “Polymer concepts in cellular function” and will be conducted in collaboration with the group of Prof. Friederike Schmid from the Physics department, who will be providing theoretical and computer modelling approaches.

If you are interested in this project, please select Wachter (RS) as your group preference in the IPP application platform.

Qualification profile:

Are you an ambitious, young scientist looking to push the boundaries of research while interacting with colleagues from multiple disciplines and cultures? Then joining the IPP is your opportunity to give your scientific career a flying start!

All you need is:

• Master or equivalent
• Interactive personality & good command of English
• 2 letters of reference

We offer

·       Exciting, interdisciplinary projects in a lively international environment, with English as our working language

·       Advanced training in scientific techniques and professional skills

·       Access to our state-of-the-art Core Facilities and their technical expertise

·       Fully funded positions with financing until the completion of your thesis

·       A lively community ofmore than 190 PhD students from 44 different countries

For more details on the projects offered and how to apply via our online form, please visit www.imb.de/phd .

The deadline for applications is 19 April 2023. Interviews will take place at IMB in Mainz on 19-21 June 2023.

Starting date: 1 August 2023 – 1 February 2024