Postodoctoral position (29 months) in bioinformatics Lab. of Plant Physiology and Molecular Genetics, Universite Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium ********************** Genetic and nutritional influences on the root architecture of Brassicaceae species Nitrogen (N) is the quantitatively most important nutrient required by crops, however a considerable fraction of N fertilizer gets lost as runoffs with detrimental consequences to the environment and greenhouse gas emission. Faced with those pressing societal costs, innovation has to make a step change to improve Nitrogen Use Efficiency (NUE) of plants. While the root organ is largely out of sight, the proposal aims at modifying root architecture (more branched system) to take up N sources more efficiently and thereby provides a sustainable and bio-economical solution to maintain crop productivity whilst reducing N input. The goal of this research is to first identify the genetic determinism that regulate N-related root morphology in the model species Arabidopsis, then to use that information in parented Brassica crops for redesigning their root architecture and ultimately improve NUE. One post-doc fellowship for non-Belgian resident (29 months) - as early as August 2014 Bioinformatics analyses of genomic data (Arabidopsis thaliana and Brassica napus) Relevant experience: gene network regulation, data mining, comparative genomics, next-generation sequencing, RNAseq, genome wide association, ShoreMap Conditions: < 5 y after PhD, < 3 y residency in Belgium Enthusiastic bioinformatician researchers meeting these criteria are kindly invited to contact Christian HERMANS (chermans@ulb.ac.be). Include your CV, qualifications, publications list and the names of two academic referees whom I can approach prior to appointment. Applications must be received by August 15th 2014.