Werken bij de UvA
The Faculty of Science at the University of Amsterdam is one of Europe's foremost institutions of higher education and research in its chosen fields of specialization. It plays an active role in international science networks and collaborates with universities and industry. The Faculty has approximately 2,500 students and 1,500 staff members spread over 4 departments and 10 research institutes. Each institute has its own research programme, a substantial part of which is externally funded by the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (NWO), the Dutch government, the EU and various private enterprises.
In March 2009, a large part of the Faculty moved to new premises in the Science Park Amsterdam; the entire Faculty will be located there by the end of 2010. The move will make the Park one of the largest centres of academic research in the Netherlands.
The Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics (IBED) is one of the ten research institutes of the Faculty of Science. IBED research covers a wide range of topics. Our scientific studies aim at a better understanding of the dynamics of ecosystems at all relevant levels, from genes to ecosystems, using a truly multidisciplinary approach.
The project 'Ancient genome duplications and glucosinolate evolution in the Brassicales', funded by a Dutch NWO Ecogenomics grant, is collaborative between the University of Amsterdam, Netherlands (Eric Schranz), Radboud University Nijmegen, Netherlands (Nicole van Dam) and University of Missouri, USA (Chris Pires). For this project IBED is looking for a for a:
PhD candidate in Plant Evolutionary Genomics
1.0 FTE (38 hours a week)
vacancy number 10-1061
Understanding the role of ancient whole genome duplications (WGD) and subsequent pathway divergence in generating the complexity of life on earth is an important goal of comparative genomics. This project will investigate the potential link between WGDs and key-trait evolution by investigating the glucosinolate defense pathway in the plant order Brassicales. The Brassicales is an excellent plant genomics research system with 16+ genome sequencing projects completed or underway (including Arabidopsis, Brassica crops and papaya) and the glucosinolate pathway is one of the best-characterized plant defense systems with great structural diversity and biological activity linked to variable amino acid precursors.
In this project you will utilize twelve diverse species for: (1) making a survey of glucosinolates, their induction and other correlated metabolites; (2) cloning and/or bioinformatic mining of key candidate genes; (3) studying gene expression patterns; (4) making detailed phylogenetic and molecular evolutionary analyses; and (5) integrating results by systems biology analysis of pathway duplication and divergence.
Appointment
The position will begin January 1, 2011. The full-time appointment will be on a temporary basis for a maximum period of four years (18 months plus a further 30 months after a positive evaluation) and should lead to a dissertation (PhD thesis). An educational plan will be drafted that includes attendance of courses and (international) meetings. The PhD student is also expected to assist in teaching of undergraduates. The full-time gross monthly salary will range from €2042 in the first year to €2612 in the final year, according to the Dutch salary scales for PhD students. The collective employment agreement (CAO) of Dutch universities is applicable.
Job application
Please apply by October 1, 2010. Applicants should send a letter of application explaining your motivation, research interests and relevant experience as well as a CV and contact details of at least two references. Applications can be sent by regular mail to: UvA/FNWI, Dienst Personeelszaken, Postbus 94216, 1090 GE Amsterdam, The Netherlands or by email: application-science@uva.nl
Please quote the vacancy number and mark 'strictly confidential' in the upper left-hand corner of the envelope. Emailed applications should bear the vacancy number in the subject line and the other documents as attachments.