PRR Project

Summary

Job Description:Highly-motivated and experienced Assistant Researcher with a strong background in the molecular mechanisms underlying rice responses to adverse environmental conditions. The successful candidate will join the Research Unit GREEN-IT at ITQB NOVA and lead innovative research projects on the functional characterization of key abiotic stress response regulators, with a particular emphasis on E3-Ubiquitin ligases, in rice.  Molecular biology, biochemical and morpho-physiological studies will be employed to identify and characterize novel targets for crop improvement under stress conditions. Additionally, the Researcher will implement novel biotechnological approaches for the development of climate-resilient crop varieties.Other responsibilities involve: 1) Mentoring and supervising graduate and undergraduate students, as well as postdoctoral researchers; 2) Coordinating and teaching of curricular units at the host Institution (MSc and PhD levels); 3) Planning, leading and managing research projects in related topics, including securing funding; 4) Contributing to the scientific community with peer-reviewed publications and organizing / participating in scientific conferences. Scientific Profile:The Assistant Researcher must hold a PhD in Biology, with focus on Plant Biology, and demonstrate proven post-doctoral experience in rice abiotic stress responses. Specific requirements include:1)  Experience in rice genetic transformation, including the use of new genomic techniques;2)  Proven experience in advanced molecular biology techniques (e.g. transcript profile analysis, new cloning techniques, gene editing, yeast one-hybrid, yeast two-hybrid, bimolecular fluorescence complementation assays);3)  Experience in morpho-physiological analysis (e.g. photosynthetic efficiency, root growth analysis, agronomic parameters);4)  Experience in proteomics for the analysis of ubiquitination of target proteins;5)    Proven track record of research productivity in peer-reviewed journals;6)  Fluency in English and Portuguese (written and spoken).We will also value experience in:-          Supervision of Master and PhD students;-          Participation in Projects in the scientific area of the job description;-          Demonstration (through publications) of collaborative work (national and international);-     Coordination of curricular units in the scientific area of the position;-          Organization of scientific meetings and outreach activities;-          Peer-reviewing activity for relevant scientific journals. Rationale for hiring:The candidate will be integrated into GREEN-IT  “Bioresources for Sustainability” Research Unit from ITQB NOVA, complementing existing strengths and contributing to strategic goals. The hiring of an Assistant Researcher with a strong background on rice abiotic stress responses, and specific expertise on ubiquitination, an important regulatory mechanism in plant responses to environmental conditions, is critical to advancing fundamental knowledge of the molecular mechanisms regulating relevant plant traits in the context of climate change. This knowledge is essential for harnessing the potential of genetic diversity to shape new crop varieties more adapted to adverse environmental conditions. The focus on rice will build upon the existing expertise and expand the existing research capacity by exploring new biotechnological tools such as the New Genomic Techniques. The candidate´s unique profile, combining strong molecular biology with rice abiotic stress responses and knowledge of New Genomic Techniques, will be crucial for developing advanced fundamental research to identify new key genes towards climate-resilience varieties. Additionally, a candidate with this complementary background and strong training skills will be strategic in attracting students to Plant Sciences in post-graduate courses at the host research unit and Institute.