Within the GreenTE Gravitation program, we are looking for a motivated PhD candidate to explore mechanisms of mechanical signaling during seed germination. In this PhD project, we aim for mapping the mechanical responses during seed germination. We will use a multi-point indentation technique to characterize the seeds’ mechanical properties, such as stiffness and rupture force, with a spatial resolution of a few micrometers. Further, we will use the plant-specific molecular mechanoprobes to generate high-resolution maps of the mechanical properties and turgor pressure inside the seed, using multiphoton confocal microscopy. We will link the gained knowledge to transcriptome, translatome and phosphoproteome data that will be generated by other researchers in the project team to finally create an integrated model of seed germination. The constructed models will be functionally characterized using Arabidopsis mutants.
The candidate will be embedded in the Wageningen Seed Science Centre (Leónie Bentsink group) which is part of the Laboratory of Plant physiology, Wageningen University, and within the larger GreenTE program. The latter includes physicists, chemists, theoreticians and plant biologists.
We are looking for an MSc graduate (or soon to graduate MSc candidate) with a strong affinity with curiosity-driven plant science and experience in (plant) molecular biology approaches (including confocal microscopy).
The (full-time) position is funded for 4 years and available from October 2024 onwards.
This PhD project is part of the Gravitation programme GreenTE (Green Tissue Engineering), a multidisciplinary consortium of 7 Dutch universities. Together, GreenTE will unravel how plants sense and respond to mechanical stimuli; these fundamental insights will be the basis to develop engineering interventions to improve plant regeneration, seed germination and defenses against disease. The successful applicant will be an integral member of the GreenTE community, which offers an open, diverse and inspiring environment to engage in multidisciplinary mechanobiology research at the intersection of biology, chemistry and physics, and is expected to participate in GreenTE events, training and collaborations.
General information about the Wageningen University PhD programme can be found here: https://www.wur.nl/en/education-programmes/phd-programme.htm
For more information about this position, please contact Prof dr Leónie Bentsink ([email protected])
This vacancy is open up to and including September 2, 2024. If you are interested in joining our diverse team, please apply online through: www.wur.eu/careerby uploading a motivation letter and CV