We have discovered that loss of a protein called JAS disturbs cellular organization in male meiotic cells of Arabidopsis thaliana. Specifically, a band of organelles that usually sits across the equator of the cell during the second meiotic division is absent when JAS is mutated. This loss leads to altered position of the two meiosis II spindles such that two chromosome sets are commonly incorporated into a single, unreduced cell. The JAS protein is located in membrane vesicles within the organelle band. A two-year fixed term postdoctoral position is available to explore the function of JAS and membrane dynamics in plant male meiotic cells.
As a Postdoctoral Fellow, you will be responsible for:
• planning and executing experiments relating to the overall objectives of the project and analyzing the subsequent data;
• maintaining detailed records of the research;
• attending conferences and manuscript preparation; and
• working with other laboratory members and collaborators.
Skills and experience
• A PhD in plant molecular biology or plant biochemistry.
• Research published in international journal(s).
• Experience with a range of plant molecular biology techniques.
• Experience in generating, growing and analyzing transgenic plants in containment.
• Experience with light, fluorescence and confocal microscopy.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Highly organised and motivated.
• Experience in male gametophyte development and/or plant membrane trafficking would be highly beneficial.
For further details and to apply please follow the links on
https://otago.taleo.net/careersection/2/jobdetail.ftl?lang=en&job=1702065
