Impact of soil nitrate and chloride content on transpiration of crop plants:
The Department of Molecular Plant Physiology and Biophysics (University of Würzburg) is searching for a highly motivated PhD-student, to study the uptake of anions into guard cells and the impact of this process on the transpiration of crop plants. This is a joint project with the University of Applied Sciences in Geisenheim, funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG).
Activities and responsibilities: Guard cells can open and close stomatal pores in the leaf surface and thereby control the transpiration of crop plants. These stomatal movements are driven by the uptake and release of potassium, chloride, and nitrate by guard cells. Although it is well known that the release of chloride and nitrate is fundamental for stomatal closure, little is known about their uptake mechanisms. In the An-trans project we will therefore study the transport proteins in guard cells that take up chloride and nitrate. Moreover, we will test if changes in soil nitrate content affect stomatal movements of broad bean and barley plants.
Qualification profile: We are searching for a highly motivated candidate with a Master in Biology, or related subjects, who would like to get trained in several Plant Physiological, Molecular Biological and Biophysical techniques and collaborate in our An-trans research consortium.
We offer: The appointment can start on 1 November 2022 and will be on a three-year contract, with a pay scale according to “Tarifvertrag für den öffentlichen Dienst der Länder (TV-L)” at a 65% level (Collective Agreement for the Public Service of German Federal States, 65%).
Severely handicapped applicants will be given preferential consideration when equally qualified.
Application
Please send your application, together with a curriculum vitae and transcripts of academic qualifications, by e-mail, with the subject line “Application PhD position An-trans” to PD Dr. Rob Roelfsema; roelfsema@botanik.uni-wuerzburg.de