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| Title | PhD-student Improvement of Plant Cell Walls for Bio-energy |
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| Description |
General information: This PhD project is part of the Carbohydrate Competence Centre (CCC) “Optimization of maize cell wall carbohydrate composition for improved conversion into biofuels”. The aim of this project is to improve the cell wall carbohydrate composition of maize in order to optimize the efficiency of polysaccharide conversion into monosaccharides that can be further used in fermentation processes either for bio-ethanol or bio-methane production. Job description: The PHD student will take a genomic approach to identify key genes responsible for cell wall properties that are relevant for the extent of fermentation and digestion processes. The key genes will be targeted and effects of knock down and over-expression of these genes will be evaluated. In parallel previously identified QTLs, explaining a large variation on fermentability, will be further dissected and compared to relevant genes found with the first approach. Relevant microbial genes identified within this project by the University of Groningen will be introduced in plants under an inducible promoter and their effect in planta scrutinized. This project will be a collaboration between Wageningen UR – Plant Breeding, (Dr. Luisa Trindade and Prof. Richard Visser) and University of Groningen (Prof. Lubbert Dijkhuizen) and is co-financed by industrial partners, in the areas of plant breeding, processing and biotechnology. Requirements The candidate should possess an MSc degree or equivalent in plant sciences, with knowledge of (plant) molecular biology and an interest in plant breeding. Proficiency in English (both spoken and written) and a science-driven curiosity are a pre. We are especially looking for a motivated and result-driven person who is a team player and possesses excellent communication skills. Organization Wageningen University and Research centre Wageningen Plant Sciences Group is a Wageningen UR consortium, bringing together the expertise of Wageningen University and the research institutes Plant Research International and PPO (Applied Plant Research). The expertise group Wageningen UR Plant Breeding exists since 2005 and is a cooperation between the Laboratory of Plant Breeding of Wageningen University and the Business Unit Biodiversity and Breeding of Plant Research International. Wageningen UR Plant Breeding is involved in education, research and consultation in the field of plant breeding in the broadest sense. Education is performed at all levels from BSc, MSc and PhD to specific courses for external parties. Plant breeding and genetic resources is one of the MSc specialisations within the study Plant Sciences. Conditions of employment Employment basis: Temporary for specified period Duration of the contract: 4 years. Maximum hours per week: 38 Additional conditions of employment: Start: From 1 February 2009 Gross salary per month: € 2042,- in the first year, increasing to € 2612,- in the fourth year. Duration of the contract: 4 years. The appointment is for a period of four years which period should be finished with a PhD examination. After 18 months, the performance of the candidate will be evaluated to decide whether there is sufficient progress to expect a successful completion of the PhD thesis within the remaining period. Additional Information Additional information about the vacancy can be obtained from: Or additional information can be obtained through one of the following links. Application You can apply for this job before 10-01-2009 by sending your application to: Wageningen UR, Chair Group Applied Statistics
HRM Department Plant Sciences Group H. Casteels P.O. Box 16 6700 AA Wageningen The Netherlands E-mail address: vacaturemeldingen.psg@wur.nl |