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Post-Doctoral Position Level G
- Molecular Ecology of Tree-Insect
Interactions
Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences, is
searching for researcher to a new project, co-financed from the Operational Programme
Research, Development and Education “Building up an excellent scientific team and its
spatio-technical background focused on mitigation of the impact of climatic changes to forests
from the level of gene to the level of landscape at the FFWS CULS Prague”, reg. no.
CZ.02.1.01/0.0/0.0/15_003/0000433 Post-Doctoral Position “Level G“ Molecular Ecology
of Tree –Insect Interactions.
The project aims to build a 17-member team, the core of an excellent team, to be a part of the
R&D centre when the project comes to the end. The team is focused on solving current/future
challenges triggered by climate change in forest ecosystems of the Czech Rep., and on
looking for scientific solutions for protection of forests as carbon sinks. The project
emphasizes the most disturbing aspects (bark beetle and related abiotic factors – mainly the
climatic extremes) on three ecological scales: Gene (G), Tree (T), and Landscape (L).
Research tasks (bolded are the tasks related to the
position):
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GENE LEVEL
G1 Molecular Ecology of Insect Semiochemical Detection
o G1A Genome sequencing of two beetles
o G1B Characterization of response spectra of olfactory receptor (OR) proteins
G2 Molecular Ecology of Tree-Insect Interaction
o G2 Transcriptomics and proteomics of insect physiology responses to trees of
different stress levels
Background
Chemical defences often occur as pools of stored chemicals (e.g. phenolics, terpenoids, and
alkaloids) to be released upon attack. However, chemical defences in trees also include
enzymes such as chitinases and glucanases that can degrade components of invasive
organisms, toxic proteins, and inhibitors of enzymes. Our Molecular lab will study the treeinsect interactions among trees of different stress levels by different biotic and abiotic factors.
We aim to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underpinning successful colonization by
beetles. Through a transcriptomics and functional proteomic approach, we will identify
differentially abundant proteins, responsible for diverse plant tolerance. First, in the digestion
by the midgut of larvae and adults of the beetles. Second, we focus on the adult tolerance
(detoxification) to the strong defenses in bark of the stem. These identified differentially
abundant proteins may serve as targets for future pest management in the forest ecosystems.
Responsibilities will predominantly be data collection, data analysis and manuscript
preparations.
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2_PostDoc_G_Molecular_Ecology_of_Tree-Insect_Interaction.docx
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Qualifications for the position
1. Completed Ph.D. education;
2. Research experiences of molecular biology and physiology of insects, especially
transcriptomics and/or proteomics studies, with experience of proteomic and
transcriptomics techniques;
3. Preferably experience of genomic analyses and bioinformatics;
4. Preferably experience in maintenance of insect strains in culture incl. Drosophila
5. Evidence of publication activity at the level of international, good impact factor
publications;
Excellent English communication and writing skills on the level of native speaker.
Key responsibilities
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Participates in the implementation of level G in particular G2
Carries out R&D activities within the assigned sub-tasks and is encouraged to take
part in further fundraising with senior scientists;
Cooperates with and supervises students of the research centre in the field of his/her
expertise;
Publishes the results of his/her work in good international journals.
Reports to level G coordinator
We offer
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Working on a temporary contract (2 years), but with possibilities of extension
Work full-time employment (1.0)
Salary: 1 300 – 2 000 €, depending on experience (Advantage: Low living expenses in
Prague)
Place of work: Kamýcká 129, 16500 Prague – Suchdol, Czech Rep. (EU)
Participation in the creation of scientific excellence at the Faculty of Forestry and
Wood Sciences CULS in Prague, Czech Republic
Benefits of the CULS employee
Work in a dynamic, international, cooperative and high professional quality team
Work in English
The following documents must be documented along with
the application:
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Curriculum Vitae
Letter of motivation
Publication list
For more information contact us: [email protected].
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