PhD Student

This position should be filled by April or May 2016. The regular working hours will be 25,87 hours per week (65%) with a limited contract of 3 years. Salary: Pay grade 13 TV-L (65%).

Your project:
RNA interference (RNAi) mediated by double stranded RNA is currently under consideration as an additional option for pest management purposes. However, some insect pests remain poorly amenable to RNAi by dsRNA, which limits the application of this technique. You will join our efforts to study the mode of uptake of dsRNA, and to understand its potential and limitations in terms of pest control measures. The project aims to understand the biological basis of RNAi efficiency in different insect taxa by in vitro and in vivo studies and will be conducted on model species and relevant pests. Primary focus is to study the uptake, transport, efficacy and mode of action of interfering RNA molecules by biological, biochemical and molecular means.

Your profile:
The successful candidate will hold a Master degree (or equivalent) in Biology and has a strong interest in fundamental and applied research on novel approaches to insect pest control. A solid technical background in biochemical and molecular work, particularly in insects is most welcome. Knowledge on insect cell cultures and gene silencing in general is beneficial. You should like to work in a team of closely collaborating members and show a high degree of independence in experimental planning and the analysis of results. You will join both the research teams at Göttingen (Georg-August-Universität) and at Monheim (BAYER, Crop Science Division). Hence, some flexibility with respect to the lodging will be required. See web sites for further information concerning our department. http://wwwuser.gwdg.de/~gbucher1/.

The University of Göttingen is an equal opportunities employer and places particular emphasis on fostering career opportunities for women. Qualified women are therefore strongly encouraged to apply as they are underrepresented in this field. Disabled persons with equivalent aptitude will be favored.

Please send your application with the usual documents merged in one PDF-file (including certifications of secondary-school examinations (Abitur), BSc and MSc and the contact details of two persons, who can judge your scientific work) by February 29th 2016 to sekretariat.entwbiol@biologie.uni-goettingen.de Please add the keyword “RNAi” to mail and cover letter. The documents will be deleted 3 months after hiring.

If you have any questions, please contact Prof. Gregor Bucher
phone: +49 (0)551 39 5426, e-mail: gbucher1@uni-goettingen.de

Methods:
RNA; Biochemistry; DNA and RNA work
Start date: April 15, 2016
Estimated duration: 3
Payment: TVL E13 (65%)

Subjects: Biology
Topic: dissertation / thesis: RNAi in pest control
Contact: Prof. Gregor Bucher
Reply to: sekretariat.entwbiol@biologie.uni-goettingen.de
Institution: Georg-August-University Göttingen
Location: 37077 Göttingen, Justus-von-Liebig-Weg 11