Two funded PhD positions available (starting September 2024):

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PhD topic 1

Dissecting molecular background of resistance to Leptoshaeria maculans in Brassicaceae plants

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 Oilseed rape (Brassica napus) is the second largest oilseed crop in the world. The major constraint to its production is blackleg disease, caused by fungal pathogen Leptosphaeria maculans (Lm). The project is devoted to the search of molecular mechanisms of resistance to Lm through exploring natural variation of Arabidopsis thaliana, which is non-host to the pathogen. The project combines approaches of molecular biology, microbiology, bioinformatics, advanced microscopy and plant physiology.

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We aim to understand:

 

 1) what makes Arabidopsis non-host to Lm, and how to transfer this into a susceptible crop?

 

2) what makes Lm pathogenic, and how do pathogenic determinants from the fungus interact with plant defence system?

 

3) how are the plant defences to Lm executed, what is a cross-talk between plant and fungal hormones in a due course of the infection process?

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We offer: high quality research and training, dynamic scientific environment, international group and collaboration network. The work will be performed in the Laboratory of Pathological Plant Physiology in the Institute of Experimental Botany https://iebpathofyz.wixsite.com/patofyz1 ; http://www.ueb.cas.cz/en. Student will be enrolled to the doctoral program of the University of Chemistry and Technology Prague https://fpbt.vscht.cz/ . The Czech study program runs for 4 years, students receive a stipend + part-time contract at the IEB Prague, social and health insurance and performance-based benefits. Accommodation in the dormitory is possible. The project is co-funded by Operation Program of Johannes Amos Comenius “TANGENC” (Towards New Generation Crops) and benefits from COST action CA22142.

 

Requirements: holder of Master degree in Biochemistry, Microbiology, Virology, Plant physiology, Botany or Biotechnology. Interest in multidisciplinary research, knowledge of lab work and data processing/statistics (molecular biology, microbiology or plant biology experience is a plus). Ability to communicate, read and write in English (knowledge of the Czech language is not required).  Applications will be reviewed immediately, enrolment to the university is in April 2024 (Master studies are to be finished before the starting date). Interested candidates are welcome to send their CV and motivation letter to doc.Ing. Lenka Burketová, CSc burketova@ueb.cas.cz .

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PhD topic 2

Phages of phytopathogenic bacteria as a driving force in plant-microbiome interactions

 

Plant bacterial diseases cause losses of up to 10% of global food production every year. As the EU regulations still limit genome editing of plants, and in the context of increasing antibiotic resistance, we explore the potential of bacteriophages as biocontrol agents. The candidate will be involved in research of phage role in plant phyllosphere (root-associated and leaf-associated microbiome), and how this can be applied to treat/prevent bacterioses of Solanaceae and Brassicaceae plants. The project combines approaches of molecular biology, microbiology, metagenomics, bioinformatics, advanced microscopy and plant physiology.

We aim to:

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 1) find out how phages shape the root- and leaf-associated  microbiome, and how can we use this to enhance plant productivity

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2) understand how phages interact with plant defence system

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3) isolate and characterize new bacteriophages with ability to prevent/treat bacterioses.

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We offer: high quality research and training, dynamic scientific environment, international group and collaboration network. The work will be performed in the Laboratory of Pathological Plant Physiology in the Institute of Experimental Botany https://iebpathofyz.wixsite.com/patofyz1 ; http://www.ueb.cas.cz/en. Student will be enrolled to the doctoral program. The Czech study program runs for 4 years, students receive a stipend + part-time contract at the IEB Prague, social and health insurance and performance-based benefits. The project is co-funded by a grant of Czech Technological Agency and benefits from COST action CA22158.

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Requirements to candidates: Master degree in Biochemistry, Microbiology, Virology, Plant physiology or other relevant discipline. Interest in multidisciplinary research, knowledge of lab work and basic data processing/statistics (molecular biology, microbiology or cell biology experience is a plus). Ability to communicate, read and write in English (knowledge of the Czech language is not required). Interested candidates are welcome to send their CV and motivation letter to Dr. Tetiana Kalachova kalachova@ueb.cas.cz until March 31st.

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