Stellenbosch University
Department of Genetics
Postdoctoral Research Scientist: Grapevine Functional Genomics
The grapevine & wine industry is a major agricultural sector in South Africa. Grapevine production, both in South Africa and worldwide, is constrained by many pathogens, including grapevine leafroll virus and Aster Yellows phytoplasma, an increasingly damaging disease in the Western Cape of South Africa. Both diseases reduce the yield, quality and vitality of the grapevine plant. In addition, climate change predictions are expected to put severe strain on water consumption in the viticulture industry. Therefore, disease resistance and drought tolerance are priorities in grapevine improvement programmes. With the completed sequence of the Vitis vinifera genome, a number of tools are now available to study host-pathogen interactions at molecular level.
We seek a highly motivated postdoctoral research scientist for a PlantBio-funded project “MicroRNA discovery in South African Grapevine”, a collaborative project between the Centre for Proteomic & Genomic Research (www.cpgr.org.za), a not-for-profit research centre based in Cape Town, South Africa, and the Vitis Lab, Department of Genetics, Stellenbosch University (www.sun.ac.za).
The ideal candidate must hold a PhD in Plant Molecular Biology or a related discipline, with proven experience and excellent skills in Plant Molecular Biology techniques, and should have a strong interest in plant functional genomics and/or molecular plant pathology. Experience and skills in working with plant viruses and/or phytoplasmas, plant tissue culture, small RNA research, microarray-based expression profiling or bioinformatics would serve as a strong recommendation for the position. Due to some commuting between the two laboratories, a valid driver’s licence (or an undertaking to obtain such a licence within a reasonable period of time) is a requirement.
The project includes microRNA expression profiling, Affymetrix gene expression analysis and qPCR of grapevine plants in controlled biotic and abiotic stress conditions. The position will be based at Stellenbosch University but a large portion of the lab work will be performed at CPGR in Cape Town.
The position is available as from 1 April 2009, or as soon as possible thereafter, and will initially be for one year but may be extended for up to three years. The successful candidate will receive a tax-free stipend which allows for comfortable living in Stellenbosch/Cape Town. The International Office of Stellenbosch University will help organise visa formalities and accommodation for international applicants.
Stellenbosch (www.tourismstellenbosch.co.za/) is situated in the winelands approximately 50 km from Cape Town (www.aboutcapetown.com/) in the Western Cape, which offers an excellent lifestyle, close to beaches and mountains.
For further information, kindly contact Dr Michael-John Freeborough at mfree@sun.ac.za.
Applicants should send a covering letter and a CV, including a publication list and the names of two referees, to Dr Michael-John Freeborough at mfree@sun.ac.za. Closing date is the 20 March 2009. Applicants that have not been contacted within two weeks of the closing date, should consider their applications unsuccessful.
