The candidate will need skills in plant/microalgae growth, physiology and molecular biology, extraction and analysis of bioactive compounds, plant defense responses towards biotic and abiotic stresses.

The Laboratory of plant physiology and biotechnology of UNIVAQ has a long and recognized experience in the field of plant biotechnology and biochemistry, and in particular in the study of oligosaccharins derived by the plant cell wall that act as elicitors of plant defense responses. The research team is composed by the PI prof. Mattei and 3 researchers. Using biochemistry and molecular biology techniques, the group contributed to identifying oligosaccharin oxidases involved in the defense against plant pathogens. In recent years, the laboratory has devoted its attention to the growth of microalgae for wastewater treatment and for the production of bio-fuels. This research activity has been recognized at national and international level, as evidenced by publications on high impact scientific journals, patents and national and international research projects coordinated by the same operating unit. The research unit has active partnerships with industrial and university colleges and research organizations at national level. Collaborations already established with agrifood and biotechnology companies have allowed the research unit to develop industrial research and development activities. Equipment available at MESVA includes molecular and biochemical biology laboratories equipped with all basic equipment, growth chambers for microalgae and plants, filamentous fungi, yeasts and bacteria. Specific instruments for biochemical and molecular biology analysis available are: HPLC; FPLC; cell counter; Multi-Cultivator, a photobioreactor for small-scale screening experiments of phototrophic organisms as algae, cyanobacteria and plant cells; Real Time PCR.