Post-doctoral Researcher/Project Researcher for our cyanobacteria research

We are offering you a fascinating vantage point in a rapidly developing area of science – so please send your application as soon as possible. Cyanobacteria are globally extremely important primary producers, but the mechanisms by which they measure the amount of inorganic carbon and further transfer this information to adjust basic cellular functions accordingly is only poorly understood. Our aim is to obtain this understanding by an in-depth study of a novel signalling cascade connecting CO2 concentration to growth, which we have recently discovered in the model cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803.The position is maximally for three years starting at earliest 01.05.2023.

Job description

Our aims are to (1) identify all missing components of the signalling cascade, including the regulatory kinase(s) and phosphatase(s). (2) Solve the molecular mechanism(s) of the function of the signalling cascade. (3) Determine the identity of the inorganic carbon signal and (4) Identify the cellular processes that are under the control of this signalling cascade. We will especially focus on how inorganic carbon regulates photosynthetic activity, growth and cell division.

What we are expecting from you

We are looking for a candidate with a PhD degree. If the candidate has not finalized the thesis yet, the job title will be a Project Researcher. The candidate should have an excellent knowledge about biochemistry including molecular biology. Working experience in a molecular biology laboratory with the newest methodology, previous working experience with cyanobacteria and protein purification are advantages. The focus of the project will be in testing interactions and detail molecular mechanisms of the signaling cascade. In addition, the work will include overproduction of putative kinases and phosphatases, and then testing activity of those on selected substrates. Furthermore, to study signaling cascade in vivo , Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 mutant strains will be constructed and their transcriptomes, metabolomes, growth properties and photosynthetic reactions will be tested.

Excellent knowledge in English, both written and oral, is a must. Also an official certificate about the proven English skills is needed. There will be a six-month trial period in the contract.

Salary and application

The salary is determined by the collective agreement system of Finnish universities, and depends on the level of the position. Average salary for an experienced Project Researcher is 2600 – 2900 eur/month and for a Post- Doctoral Researcher 3300 – 3400 eur/month.

Our selection criteria are based on the principle of finding the most qualified and suitable candidate for the work. In practice, this means that not only education, scientific publications and working experience but also personal qualities, motivation factors, language skills and other relevant criteria will be taken into account.

Please submit your application no later than 31 st of March 2023 via the electronic application form of the University of Turku. Contact information and the link to the application system can be found from the University of Turku recruitment page https: // www. utu.fi/en/university/come-work-with- us/open-vacancies .

Applications should contain

Further information

PI Taina Tyystjärvi, taityy(at)utu.fi

Concerning application tool - biocityhrservices(at)utu.fi

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