PhD POSITION AVAILABLE

ROLE OF COPPER-PROTEINS IN SYMBIOTIC NITROGEN FIXATION
The “Metal Homeostasis in Plant-Microbe Interactions” group at Centro de Biotecnología y Genómica de Plantas (UPM-INIA/CSIC) offers a 4 year PhD position to study the role of newly identified nodule-specific copper proteins. This project is the follow-up of the work carried out in Navarro-Gómez et al., (2024) 10.1111/nph.19360.
The selected candidate will be trained in hard methods such as: immunolocalization approaches to determine protein distribution, genetic methods to determine phenotype, protein biochemistry and protein expression in E. coli and in S. cerevisiae, characterization of protein-protein interactions and metal exchange, and synchrotron-based methods to determine elemental distribution and speciation. The candidate will also be mentored in soft skills such as scientific written communication, data presentation, or technology transfer. His/her training will be rounded up by assisting to two international conferences and a 3-6 months secondment abroad to carry out specialized experiments. This
PhD Thesis will be co-directed by Dr. Manuel González-Guerrero and by Dr. Stefan Burén.
The selected candidate must have a Master degree with a background on Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Biology, or related areas. Strong interest in protein biochemistry is highly desirable. Experience in bacterial or plant biology will be valued, but it is not essential. Additional valuable skills include protein modelling, protein purification, bacterial transformation. The candidate must be fluent in English and Spanish.
Interested candidates must send their CVs and contact information of two referees to manuel.gonzalez@upm.es and stefan.buren@upm.es. The position will be open until a suitable candidate has been found.
