德国马普化学生态研究所生物学博士后职位

A postdoc position is available in the Research Group Sequestration and Detoxification in Insects at the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology in Jena to investigate sequestration of plant specialized metabolites by insect herbivores.

We focus on the glucosinolate-myrosinase system, an activated plant defense system present in plants of the crucifer family, also known as the “mustard-oil bomb”. Upon herbivory, glucosinolates are hydrolyzed by the plant enzyme myrosinase to toxic isothiocyanates which repel non-adapated herbivores. Phyllotreta flea beetles nevertheless accumulate high amounts of certain intact glucosinolates in their bodies. The goal of the project is to identify the transport proteins mediating uptake of plant specialized metabolites from the gut into the hemolymph of these insects.

For more information, please see:
http://www.pnas.org/content/111/20/7349.full?sid=dba68187-a8f0-438d-a307-663e60a52b6b and http://www/ext/detoxification.html.

We seek a candidate with a Ph.D. in biology with experience in molecular biology, bioinformatics, and biochemistry. Experience with insect molecular biology would be a strong asset. The candidate should be an enthusiastic and highly self-motivated person with excellent verbal and written communication skills.