We are looking for an enthusiastic PhD student, who will work in a small team on the NWO-VICI project 'Climate-proof plant reproduction'. The aim of this project is to address the challenging question as to how ambient temperature fluctuations are perceived by different plant species and how this information is memorized and used to optimize reproduction strategy. The focus for this specific PhD candidate will be on the role of alternative gene-splicing (AS) in ambient-temperature-dependent flowering time control in the plant model species Arabidopsis thaliana. In mammals a dynamic interplay between AS and histone modifications has been found and recent work of our research group revealed a pivotal role of Histone 3 Lysine 36 tri-methylation (H3K36me3) in ambient temperature-mediated AS and flowering time control. These intriguing findings will be further exploited by the PhD candidate, who will elucidate the exact molecular effects of H3K36me3-deposition and its interplay with other chromatin marks and biochemical processes. The Approaches that will be taken, include chromatin immuno-precipitation, transcriptomics, and transient and stable gene inactivation using e.g. genome-editing technology.

We are looking for a highly motivated and creative PhD candidate with an M. Sc. degree in plant molecular biology, who has affinity for plant development and plant physiology. The candidate should have strong interest in developing and implementing new technologies and a good background in bioinformatics. Furthermore, fluency in written and spoken English is essential and you should be a team player, able to communicate your research outcomes with academic researchers, employees of industry and laymen.

We offer a full-time position (38 hours), initially for one year after which a go/no go decision will be taken on an extension for an additional three years. Gross salary per month € 2.222 in the first year rising to € 2.840,- per month in the fourth year for a fulltime appointment. The candidate will be based at the Laboratory for Molecular Biology.

Wageningen University & Research

The mission of Wageningen University & Research is "To explore the potential of nature to improve the quality of life". Within Wageningen University & Research, nine specialised research institutes from the Wageningen Research Foundation and Wageningen University have joined forces to help answer the most important questions in the domain of healthy food and living environment.

With approximately 30 locations, 5,000 employees, and 10,000 students, Wageningen University & Research is one of the leading organisations in its domain worldwide. An integrated approach to problems and the cooperation between various disciplines are at the heart of the unique approach of Wageningen.

For further information about working at Wageningen University & Research, take a look at thespecial career site.

The research group is part of the department 'Molecular Biology' of Wageningen University and the Cluster 'Plant Development Systems' from Wageningen Plant Research. The focus of the group is on the molecular regulation of flowering time, flower organ development, and plant architecture, with a major emphasis on the role of transcription factors in these processes. The group carries out fundamental research, but with an eye on the potential for knowledge implementation. A multidisciplinary approach is followed, including molecular and cell biology, plant physiology, bioinformatics and various high-throughput ' omics' technologies. The team consist of a social and highly motivated group of staff researchers, technicians, and (international) PhD students/post-docs.