Doctorat / PhD — Procedure no. DSMBBC/2027/07 The Regulatory Power of SLIM1 in Plant Nutrition and Gene Networks

Doctorat / PhD Profil chercheur : First Stage Researcher (R1) Type de contrat : Temporary Date limite de candidature : 30 Nov 2026 - 23:59 (Europe/Warsaw) Date de début : 1 Mar 2027 Programme UE : Other EU programme Référence : 2025/59/B/NZ1/03140 Domaine : Biological sciences

Plants cannot escape nutrient shortages - they must adapt. But how do they decide which genes to switch on, which to silence, and how to restore metabolic balance when conditions improve? Although transcription factors are central to these decisions, how they coordinate responses to different nutrient stresses remains poorly understood. This PhD project addresses this question by investigating SLIM1, a key regulator of sulfur deficiency responses in Arabidopsis thaliana . Going beyond its established role in sulfur metabolism, the project will uncover how SLIM1 orchestrates responses to phosphate and carbon deficiency, contributes to recovery after sulfur resupply, and switches between activating and repressing gene expression. By revealing how SLIM1 integrates stress signals and controls plant metabolism, this research aims to uncover fundamental mechanisms that enable plants to adapt to a changing environment. To identify SLIM1 target genes and characterize its regulatory effects, chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing (ChIP-seq) will be combined with RNA sequencing (RNA-seq). These approaches will enable the identification of direct target genes and the integration of genome-wide binding profiles with gene expression changes under different nutrient stress conditions. Particular attention will be given to determining whether SLIM1 activates or represses its target genes. The project will further explore the molecular mechanisms underlying SLIM1 activity by investigating potential activation and repression domains, interactions with co-regulatory protein complexes, and post-translational modifications, including phosphorylation and ubiquitination. Characterization of SLIM1 interaction partners will help clarify how its activity and stability are controlled under different environmental conditions. Ultimately, uncovering how SLIM1 orchestrates plant responses to nutrient stress could open new avenues for engineering crops that use nutrients more efficiently, withstand environmental stress, and thrive in an increasingly unpredictable climate. This doctoral project provides the opportunity to gain hands-on experience with molecular techniques, such as gene cloning, genome analysis, expression studies, protein interaction analysis (Optical tweezers C-trap), yeast-based systems (e.g., Y2H, Y1H), and advanced microscopy techniques (co-localization, BiFC assay, high-resolution imaging) using state-of-the-art equipment in an experienced and supportive research team. We are seeking a motivated and dedicated doctoral candidate with a strong interest in molecular biology and plant stress responses to join our team and contribute to this exciting research endeavor.

Plants…