Experienced Plant Protein Biochemist A postdoctoral position (2-3 years) in Plant Protein Biochemistry and Proteomics in the van Wijk lab is available to contribute to a collaborative project (Cornell, Yale and Iowa Universities) sponsored by the NSF-Genome program. This project concerns a cell-type specific comparative analysis of C3 and C4 leaf development in Rice, Sorghum and Maize. In leaves of such C4 grasses photosynthetic activities are partitioned between two morphologically and biochemically distinct bundle sheath (BS) and mesophyll (M) cells. The objectives are to compare the quantitative and qualitative patterns of transcripts, proteins, metabolic activities and anatomy at discrete stages and in specific cell types in rice (C3), maize and sorghum (C4), and to develop a model of the regulatory networks governing C4 anatomy and function. These experimental datasets will be linked by new informatics tools for comparative transcriptional and proteome analysis, to provide the foundation for a systems biology approach to understanding C4 biology.

The responsibilities of the postdoc include isolation of subsets of leaf proteomes (e.g. BS strands), protein separation and proteome analysis, as well as biological interpretation of these large scale data sets. Experience in plant protein biochemistry (with a proven track record) and a strong interest in plant metabolism, leaf growth, development and systems biology is required. Experience with nanoLC-Electrospray tandem Mass Spectrometry (e.g. LTQ, Q-TOF or LTQ-Orbitrap) is beneficial. The postdoc will work closely together with other team members, including mass spectrometry specialists and bioinformaticians. Salary will be commensurate with experience with generous employee benefits according the Cornell Human Resource Office.

Review of applications will begin immediately, and continue until the position is filled. Application Instructions: Send your curriculum vitae, a statement of research interests and career goals, representative publications, and three letters of reference by email to: kv35@cornell.edu Klaas J. van Wijk, Associate Professor, Dept of Plant Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA; tel +1-607-255-3664; http://cbsu.tc.cornell.edu/vanwijk/

Relevant papers:
Majeran W., Zybailov B., Ytterberg A.J., Dunsmore J., Sun Q.and van
Wijk K.J. (2008) Consequences of C4 differentiation for chloroplast
membrane proteomes in maize mesophyll and bundle sheath cells. Mol
Cell Proteomics - pre-publication online -
Covshoff S., Majeran W., Liu P., Kolkman J.M., van Wijk K.J.and
Brutnell T.P. (2008) Deregulation of maize c4 photosynthetic
development in a mesophyll cell-defective mutant. Plant Physiol 146:
1469-1481.
Majeran W., Cai Y., Sun Q.and van Wijk K.J. (2005) Functional
Differentiation of Bundle Sheath and Mesophyll Maize Chloroplasts
Determined by Comparative Proteomics. The Plant Cell 17: 3111-3140.

Klaas J. van Wijk
Associate Professor
Director of Graduate Studies (DGS) for the Field of Plant Biology
Dept of Plant Biology
332 Emerson Hall
Cornell University
Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
tel +1-607-255-3664