Postdoctoral research scientist position available at Department of AgroEnvironmental Science and Technology (DiSTA, University of Bologna, Italy) in plant genetics and molecular biology.

Position: Genetics of wheat resistance to leaf rust and powdery mildew, molecular and comparative genetics and marker-assisted breeding.

A full-time, postdoctoral position in cereal genetics is available for one year, renewable up to two years. The genomics laboratory is seeking for a motivated candidate to study the genetic bases of leaf rust and powdery mildew resistance in wheat using genetics, genomics and comparative genomic approaches.

The applicant will work within the EU-funded BIOEXPLOIT project to undertake the fine mapping of the genetic determinants of major QTLs for leaf rust and powdery mildew resistance recently mapped at DiSTA. The candidate will use and develop wheat genetic stocks and wheat genomic resources (BAC libraries), with classical molecular biology, comparative genetic mapping and association mapping approaches. Comparative genomics, expression profiling analyses and the candidate gene approach based on the known gene families involved in plant pathogen interaction will be deployed.

Experience in DNA isolation, sequencing, genotyping, molecular cloning and expression analysis, quantitative RT-PCR, development of sequence-based markers is required. Bioinformatic experiences will be positively considered. Scale-up of molecular markers to high-throughput SNP based- methods is planned.

The candidate will interact with other cereal researchers and research programs in cereal genetics and genomics and with a seed company for the related phenotyping, genetic stocks development and marker-assisted selection activities.

Requirements: Ph.D in plant molecular biology, genetics, biochemistry, bioinformatics or other related disciplines with experience in plant genomics and good molecular biology skills.

The position is funded by EU (BIOEXPLOIT project) with salary commensurate with experience

Review of applications will begin in August, 2008 and will continue until the position is filled.
To apply, please submit a letter of interest (by e-mail) describing your research experience, CV, and e-mail addresses and phone numbers of two references. Candidates should contact by e-mail
Prof. Roberto Tuberosa,
Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Agroambientali (DiSTA),
Viale G. Fanin, 44, 40127 Bologna, Italy (I).

E-mail: roberto.tuberosa@unibo.it