Postdoc Position (f/m/d)

Research efforts in the department Biochemistry of Plant-Microbe Interactions are directed towards understanding how plants defend themselves against infection by pathogenic microbes such as bacteria, fungi and oomycetes. A major focus of our research group is to investigate the molecular mechanisms that regulate nucleocytoplasmic communication and nuclear gene expression processes in cellular immune responses of the model plant species Arabidopsis thaliana. We employ a broad spectrum of biochemical, genetic and genomic, cell biological and molecular approaches to study the transport of proteins and RNAs across the nuclear compartment boundary, as well as transport-independent functions of nuclear pore complexes (NPCs) in defense gene expression and regulation.

Job description:
Participation in the third-party funded research project “Transport-independent nuclear pore complex functions in plant defense gene regulation”. Nuclear pore complexes (NPCs) are composed of nucleoporin proteins (NUPs) and perforate the nuclear envelope as the only gateways for the exchange of proteins and RNAs between the cytoplasm and the nucleus. Using genetic screens in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana, we identified NUPs that are involved in the regulation of defense gene expression. Recent evidence further suggests that NPCs, apart from their function as highly selective transport channels, participate in establishing the three-dimensional chromatin architecture and the spatiotemporal regulation of gene expression by positioning chromatin at the NPC.
This research project, funded by the Boehringer Ingelheim Foundation, aims at exploring transport-independent NUP functions in (epigenetic) defense gene regulation and chromatin organization at the nuclear periphery of Arabidopsis cells. The studies will employ a combination of biochemical, (epi)genetic and genomic approaches, including ChIP-seq and Hi-C analyses. The project also offers the possibility to characterize defense-related functions of genes that we recently identified in a RNAseq experiment to depend on the NUPs for full gene expression. The position involves the self-directed implementation and conceptual development of the research project.

Requirements:
Completed university degree and PhD in biology or biochemistry.

Desirable:
- strong experimental background in molecular plant sciences and molecular genetics
- experience in molecular genetic/epigenetic analyses such as Hi-C and ChIP-seq and related bioinformatic data processing
- knowledge of molecular plant-microbe interactions, experience in handling plant pathogenic microorganisms
- highly motivated and enthusiastic about the research field
- excellent skills in spoken and written English
- capable to work independently in a team

For further information, please contact Mr.Prof. Dr. Marcel Wiermer (m.wiermer(at)fu-berlin.de / 83871054).