POSTED: 26th May 2009
Visiting Fellowship and PhD student positions
available through the Saskatoon Research Centre – Agriculture and Agri-Food
Canada
Training Opportunities in Trichome Functional Genomics (a PhD graduate student
and a Visiting Fellow): Tenure is at the Saskatoon Research Centre and University
of Saskatchewan.
Research Projects: The aim and responsibilities are to conduct
research to understand trichome (hair) development in Brassica plant species
and to apply Arabidopsis and Brassica genes to enhance the Brassica napus
and Brassica carinata trichome systems in support of the development of “Hairy
Canola” and “Hairy Ethiopian Mustard” germplasm with resistance
to the crucifer flea beetle. Current projects include the study of trichome
(hair) regulation in Brassica napus, moving the “hairy canola”
trait into new Brassica napus and Brassica carinata germplasm, determining
Arabidopsis genes and promoters that can stimulate trichome density and branching
in Brassica napus, and finding characterizing novel trichome mutations and
genes from an Arabidopsis activation-tagged population.
Background: Flea beetles (Phyllotreta cruciferae) are the
most damaging insect pest for canola on the prairies. Farmers are desperate
for help with this pest, since some of the best chemical protection has been
deregistered and 20 years of traditional plant selection has been unsuccessful
at developing flea beetle resistant canola. A few years ago, 2 trichome regulatory
genes from Arabidopsis were introduced into canola and stimulated 1000-fold
higher trichome density on canola seedling leaves and stems. [Gruber, M.Y.,
Wang, S., Ethier, S., Holowachuk, J., Bonham-Smith, P.C., Soroka, J., Lloyd,
A. 2006. “HAIRY CANOLA” – Arabidopsis GL3 induces a dense
covering of trichomes on Brassica napus seedlings. Plant Mol Biol 60: 679-698].
This trait shows strong resistance to flea beetles (Report to The Canola Council,
2008), but additional basic and applied science is required to see this trait
turn into breeding germplasm.hn
Successful candidates will join a Saskatoon Research Centre
lab which includes 4 Visiting Fellows, two technicians and 4 PhD students
headed by Dr. Margaret Gruber (SRC Genomics). Trichome research projects are
conducted collaboratively with Dr. Isobel Parkin (SRC Genomics), Dr. Julie
Soroka (SRC Entomology), Dr. Kevin Falk and Dr. Gerhard Rakow (SRC Plant Breeding),
Dr. Peta Bonham-Smith, Biology Dept., Univ. of Saskatchewan, and Dr. Sharon
Regan, Biology Dept., Queen’s University. The project could involve
collaboration with Dr. Martin Hulskamp at The University of Koln, Germany.
Research training could include molecular and expression analysis, including
microarrays, ESTs, qRT-PCR, RNAi knockdown and over-expression in transgenic
model plants and crop plants, recombinant protein isolation, enzyme assays,
functional characterization of activation-tagged mutants, bioinformatics,
and phytochemical analysis (HPLC-UV/MS-MS, GC-MS, or UPLC-TQD).
Facilities: The Saskatoon Research Centre is a well-funded
facility with analytical chemistry, genomics and biochemistry facilities.
Researchers at the Centre have access to basic research labs through to applied
research and crop evaluation labs in a pleasant, modern setting that includes
3 research farms and several GMO crop evaluation sites. “Hairy Canola”
projects are linked into national Canadian agricultural research priorities.
Saskatoon is the centre for Brassica crop genomics research in Canada. Other
projects in the lab focus on the functional genomics of proanthocyanidin and
carotenoid accumulation, saline and low fertility stress, biorefinery concepts,
and ruminant nutritional and feed structure characteristics. The lab is a
member of the ABIP-funded Canadian Cellulosic Biofuel Network. SRC enjoys
a strong relationship with genomics and analytical chemistry groups and the
DNA Analysis Lab at the Plant Biotechnology Institute, NRC Saskatoon, and
accesses analytical chemistry facilities (NMR, ICMS) and microscopy facilities
at the University of Saskatchewan Structural Sciences Centre, Geology Dept.,
the Biology Microscopy Centre and the Canadian Light Source (Synchrotron)
as needed.
Applicants for PhD graduate studies should submit TWO
applications below:
1st - to graduate studies at the University of Saskatchewan and
2nd - to the Research Affiliate Programme of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
University of Saskatchewan Graduate Study applications should include a curriculum
vita, skills and publication lists, copies of university transcripts, any
other relevant documentation (eg. visa documents, birth certificate), and
an application letter outlining research interests to Dr. Peta Bonham Smith
(below), with a copy to Dr. M. Gruber (above). The letter should also include
an explanation for the application to the Department of Biology and how previous
experience will contribute to the position. Applications should be submitted
by June 30, 2009 (to be evaluated for a Sept. 1, 2009 start date).
Dr. Peta Bonham Smith,
Head, Dept. of Biology,
University of Saskatchewan,
W.P. Thompson Building
112 Science Place,
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan,
Canada S7N5E2
Phone: 1-306-966-4400 (office); 1-306- 966-4430 (lab)
FAX: 1-306-966-4461
Email: peta.bonhams@usask.ca
http://homepage.usask.ca/~pcb512/index.html
http://www.usask.ca/biology/home/gradform.html
http://www.usask.ca/biology.
Visiting Fellowship Candidates should submit their application
to Ms. Lilianne Cousineau at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (Office for
NSERC Visiting Fellowship to a Canadian Government Laboratory) and on the
NSERC website for evaluation (preferred start date July 1, 2009). The application
and documentation is found at the NSERC website “http://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/Students-Etudiants/PD-NP/Laboratories
Laboratoires/index_eng .asp”. Interested candidates should also forward
their CV, skills and publications lists, and 3 references (with email addresses)
to:
Dr. Margaret Y. Gruber,
Molecular Genetics and Genomics,
Saskatoon Research Centre,
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada,
105 Science Cresc.,
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan,
Canada S7N0X2
Phone: 1-306-956-7263 (office); 1-306-956-7295 (lab)
FAX: 1-306-956-7247
Email: Margie.Gruber@agr.gc.ca, and gruberkm@sasktel.net
2nd: Research Affiliate Programme Award Qualifications and Application
Process: General information and requirements for the Research Affiliate
Program and applications can be viewed on the Research Affiliate Program website
for the Government of Canada: http://jobs-emplois.gc.ca/rap-par/index-eng.htm.
The specific job posting for “Graduate Assistant - PhD Student (Trichomes)”
at the Saskatoon Research Centre of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada will
appear under “Current Opportunities” on the RAP website. Applications
for the RAP program must be submitted on-line through the RAP posting. Candidates
must show evidence of acceptance into a full-time PhD programme at the Dept.
of Biology, University of Saskatchewan before the award is given.