PhD position in Plant Proteostasis and Epigenome Dynamics under the supervision of Vicente Rubio at Centro Nacional de Biotecnología (CNB-CSIC) in Madrid, Spain.

What are you going to do?

Novel histone modifications promoting seed priming and drought tolerance

You will characterise the role of acetylation of H2B (H2Bac), an orphan-of-function histone posttranslational modification, during the seed-to-seedling transition and drought tolerance in both Arabidopsis and oilseed rape. The project involves identification of H2Bac-targeted genes to be used as markers for optimal seed priming and seed quality, as well as the enzymes; H2B acetyltransferases (HATs) and deacetylases (HDAs) that modulate H2Bac deposition in response to stresses.
The project will allow the unveiling of new molecular connections between environmental signaling pathways, chromatin remodeling and proteostatic machineries that trigger precise gene expression programmes that allow increased tolerance of crops to climate change associated stresses, particularly favoring enhanced seed vigour.

Your aim will be to get insights on the functions of H2Bac in plants, by 1) generating databases for H2Bac profiles and gene sets regulated/targeted by this mark; 2) identifying HATs and HDAs controlling H2Bac deposition and chromatin dynamics during seed-to-seedling transition and drought; 3) isolating chemicals that modulate H2Bac-dependent gene expression and associated traits; and 4) identifying H2Bac-targeted genes to be used as markers for optimal seed priming and seed quality.
For this, a multidisciplinary approach will be undertaken; integrating phenotypic, molecular, proteomics and epigenomic information from both Arabidopsis and oilseed rape plants grown under control and stress conditions.

You will actively collaborate with partners at the University of Clermont Auvergne (France), at the company Deutsche Saatveredelung AG (DSV, Germany) and at the IBMCP-CSIC in Valencia (Spain). You will also benefit from training in plant phenotyping and bioinformatics by the DSV and Sequentia companies.

What do you have to offer?

  • MSc in Molecular Biology, Plant Science, or related biological sciences.
  • Strong interest in deciphering how plant adapt to changing environmental conditions,
    with a specific emphasis on abiotic stresses.
  • Conceptual background in epigenetics and gene expression.
  • Knowledge in molecular biology techniques.

It is a preference if you also have experience in data analysis and motivation for training in bioinformatics.

Our offer

The appointment will be on a temporary basis for a period of three years. The appointment will be according to the employment rules of Spain and should lead to a dissertation (PhD thesis). A Personal Career Development Plan will be drafted that includes the attendance to EpiSeedLink courses and meetings.

The gross monthly salary will be according to the MSCA programme, taking into account the country-specific correction coefficient. Besides the salary, you will obtain a mobility allowance. See page Requirements and Conditions.

About us

The National Centre for Biotechnology (CNB) is a research centre of the CSIC, Spain’s most important public scientific institution. The CNB opened in 1992 at the Campus of the UAM, Madrid, to lead in developing modern biotechnology in Spain. Our principal objectives are to:
– Acquire knowledge and develop new technologies in the areas of human and animal health, agriculture and the environment
– Promote knowledge and technology transfer for the benefit of society
– Train future generations of researchers and technologists
– Engage and inform society about advances and the benefits of biotechnology
The CNB is distinguished by its versatile interdisciplinary research that combines molecular biology methods with the latest technology in the fields of functional and structural biology. We are a team of more than 600 professionals committed to research excellence. The CNB has been recognised repeatedly by an international committee of experts as one of the Severo Ochoa Centres of Excellence in Medicine and Life Sciences.

Any questions?

Do you have any questions, or do you require additional information? Please contact: Dr Vicente Rubio; vrubio@cnb.csic.es, phone: +34 680635275.