Researcher (Ph.D. position): Cytokinin trafficking & signalling in plants
O pozici
The Dean of the Faculty of Science announces a selection procedure for the job position of Researcher (Ph.D. position): Cytokinin trafficking & signalling in plants. Research Field: Plant biology, molecular biology, biochemistry, biotechnology or related fields
Number of Posts: 1
Department/Facility: Laboratory of Growth Regulators
Type of contract: Fixed-term contracts
Hours per Week: 40
Location: Šlechtitelů 27, Olomouc
Offer Starting Date: After an agreement
Department/Facility description
https://lgr.upol.cz/en/
Job Profile
Project description:
How do plants decide when to grow, pause, or reprogram their metabolism under stress? In our lab, we explore the “decision-making language” of plants - with a focus on cytokinins, their signalling networks, transport routes, and the downstream developmental and stress responses they control.
Importantly, cytokinin signalling is not confined to plants. Cytokinins appear to be part of a broader, cross-kingdom chemical vocabulary, as several microbes can also produce these growth regulators. Among this project’s aims is to better characterize cytokinin root transporters that may contribute to the communication between microbes and plants.
Key approaches may include:
Genetic and molecular dissection of hormone transport/signalling modules
Reporter lines and quantitative imaging, including confocal microscopy
Transcriptomics and proteomics with integrative data interpretation/model building
Targeted hormone-related + tracer-based approaches
Tasks and responsibilities
You will:
Design and conduct experiments in Arabidopsis and barley
Perform molecular cloning and genome engineering (CRISPR/Cas), qPCR, and work with reporter lines
Carry out phenotyping, imaging, and hormone-related assays/tracing
Contribute to transcriptomic/proteomic experiments and integrative analysis
Present results, write manuscripts, and build a clear biological model
Requirements
Candidate profile (required):
Master’s degree (or equivalent) in plant biology, molecular biology, biochemistry, biotechnology or related fields
Solid practical skills in molecular biology and/or plant experimental work
Good written and spoken English
Motivation for a Ph.D. and ability to work both independently and collaboratively
Desirable (nice to have):
Experience with confocal microscopy, plant transformation, or reporter-based imaging
Basic data analysis skills (R/Python), statistics, or omics/bioinformatics
Prior experience with hormone biology/plant signalling/transport
What we offer
Fully funded Ph.D. project supported by a GA ČR grant (basic research funding)
A project that can be shaped to your strengths, with supportive supervision and international collaborations
Access to modern infrastructure at the Faculty of Science and the broader LGR environment
A stimulating research setting in the historic university city of Olomouc
Employment / Ph.D. enrolment
Type: full-time Ph.D. student position (typically up to 4-5 years; according to UP doctoral programme rules)
Documents requested
CV in English
Cover letter
Contact details of two referees
Summary of MSc thesis/research experience (optional but encouraged)
Copy of degree certificate and transcript of records (if available at the time of application)
Contact person
Plíhal Ondřej, RNDr., Ph.D., ondrej.plihal@upol.cz, +420585634373