Postdoctoral Researcher, Stilbenes in Scots Pine

The GenoWood research project invites applications for a POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCHER, STILBENES IN SCOTS PINE.
The position is full-time and will last for three years (with 4 months’ probation period). The planned starting date of the position is April 2017.

In the project we search for genes causing natural genetic variation in important heartwood traits, specifically extractives of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) relating to decay resistance of wood material (timber). The long term aim of the project is to enhance the supply of high-quality and sustainable materials for mechanical wood industry. The project is part of the Academy of Finland funded BioFuture 2025 consortium “Genomic Selection: Towards more Efficient, Financially Viable and Resilient Wood Production (GenoWood)” with Prof. Teemu Teeri (University of Helsinki), Prof. Katri Kärkkäinen (Luke), Prof. Fred O. Asiegbu (University of Helsinki) and Prof. Outi Savolainen (University of Oulu). Our goal in the consortium is to utilize novel genomic and phenotyping methods and examine the feasibility of conducting genomic selection in Nordic conifer species.

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Further information on the post is given by Professor Teemu Teeri (teemu.teeri(at)helsinki.fi).

Key references:

Harju, A. M., & Venäläinen, M. (2002). Genetic parameters regarding the resistance of Pinus sylvestris heartwood to decay caused by Coniophora puteana. Scandinavian journal of forest research, 17: 199-205.

Lim, K.-J., Paasela, T., Harju, A., Venäläinen, M., Paulin, L., Auvinen, P., Kärkkäinen, K. and Teeri, T.H. (2016). Developmental changes in Scots pine transcriptome during heartwood formation. Plant physiology, 172: 1403-1417.

Paasela, T., Lim, K.-J., Pietiäinen, M. and Teeri, T.H. (2017). The O-methyltransferase PMT2 mediates methylation of pinosylvin in Scots pine. New Phytologist, in press, doi: 10.1111/nph.14480

Venäläinen, M., Harju, A. M., Kainulainen, P., Viitanen, H., & Nikulainen, H. (2003). Variation in the decay resistance and its relationship with other wood characteristics in old Scots pines. Annals of forest science, 60: 409-417.