Function:

A postdoc position is available at the National Institute of biology, Department of Plant Physiology and Biotechnology in Ljubljana Slovenia. The chosen candidate will be in charge of his/her own research and preparing activity reports and presentations, in collaboration with the permanent staff working and PhD students in this European Research program.

Duration:

The  duration of the  function is one year with possible extension. The starting date is as soon as possible after evaluation is over.

Qualifications and experience:

The candidates should hold a recent PhD or postdoc position in a relevant field. Experience is requested in:

• Molecular biology: DNA extraction, cloning, sequencing, plasmid construction, with a special preference for candidates with experience on  quantitative real-time PCR (Q-PCR) and DNA microarrays technology
• Microbiology: in connection to cloning procedure (bacteria culture and transformation)
• Statistics: as needed in connection to analysis and interpretation of  Q-PCR and DNA microarrays results.
• Ability to present reports and write scientific papers in English

Application:

In addition to a short letter, applicants should provide a detailed CV and publication list with the addresses and phone numbers of 2 referring scientists. Application can be submitted by e-mail.

Review of applications will begin 15th of June 2005 and continue until the position is filled.

Contact Information:

Dr. Kristina Gruden or Ana Mihevc
National Insitute of Biology, Dept. Of Plant Physiology and Biotechnology
Večna pot 111
1000 Ljubljana
Slovenia
Tel : +386 1 4233388
Fax : +386 1 2573
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.i; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Background:

Co-Extra (GM and non-GM supply chains: their CO-EXistence and TRAceability) is a European research program of the FP6 Priority 5 (Food quality and safety) that started in april 1st for a 4 years duration.
Summary

The objective of Co-Extra is to provide all the stakeholders of the food and feed chains with a central decision-support system integrating the tools, methods, models and guidelines needed to deal with the imminent arrival of large quantities of GMOs, further to the lift of the current de facto ban on GMOs in the EU. Co-Extra will study and validate biological containment methods and model supply chain organisations and provide practical tools and methods for implementing co-existence. In parallel, Co-Extra will design and integrate GMO detection tools, develop sampling plans, and elaborate new techniques to meet the challenges raised by increased demands for cost effective multiplex methods to detect as yet unapproved or unexamined GMOs and by e.g. stacked genes. Co-Extra will also study and propose the most appropriate information structure, content and flow management for ensuring reliable and cost-effective documentary traceability. All of the methods and tools that will be studied and developed will be assessed not only from the technical point of view but also with regard to economic and legal aspects. In parallel, to promote harmonisation of co-existence and traceability practices around the world, Co-Extra will survey the GMO-related legal regimes and practices that exist in and beyond the EU. Stakeholders will be involved in the project from the start through the dialogue platform, editorial offices, focus groups, national relays, etc. Co-Extra outcomes will contribute to reinforcing consumers’ confidence in labelling claims and therefore EU products at large. By helping economic stakeholders to meet consumers’ requirements for reliable choices, Co-Extra will improve European competitiveness. Co-Extra outcomes will be proposed to standardisation after validation. Dissemination activities will largely benefit from the strong commitment of the European Network of GMO Laboratories.

Department of Plant Physiology and Biotechnology at the National Insitute of biology (www.nib.si) is involved in research in three main areas: physiology of plant – pathogen interaction, plant pathology  and GMO detection and is thus comprising of biochemistry lab, molecular biology lab (including transcriptomics facilities), tissue culture facilities and greenhouses. The team working on GMO detection  includes 2 senior scientists, 2 PhD students and 3 technicians. We are included in Co-extra is coordinator of one workpackage and participating in 4 workpackages - three of them in direct connection to development of GMO detection methods.

The tasks in which the team is involved are:

• WP4 (Development of testing and sampling approaches)
• Evaluation of different DNA quantification systems to improve accuracy of GMO detection
• WP5 (Development and integration of analytical traceability tools)
• Development of cost-effective and reliable quantitative PCR methods to detect GMO and taxa including appropriate molecular characterisation of GM crops
• Development of more accurate methods to detect and quantify GMO – linear amplification systems will be evaluated
• Evaluation of different chemistries and apparatus of real-time quantitative PCR to increase the reliability of the methods
• Evaluation of automatisation approaches in GMO detection
• Integration of results into the design of decision support tools together with other workpackages and dialogue with stakeholders through WP8
• WP6 (Technical challenges of GMO detection)
• Development of probe amplification system, that would enable the GMO detection microarrays to become quantitative

This team is also involved in standardisation of GMO detection procedures (CEN/ISO working group 11), in giving expertise for the National Competent Authorities in charge of GMO, and  is part of  European network of GMO laboratories  (http://engl.jrc.it). The laboratory is also accredited for detection of GMO under ISO17025.