Research project description

Plants have evolved diverse strategies to withstand adverse environmental conditions, among which programmed cell death (PCD) serves as a fundamental adaptive mechanism. In the plant kingdom, PCD is essential not only for defense against pathogens and adaptation to environmental stresses, but also for key developmental processes such as reproduction, seed development, vascular tissue formation, leaf morphogenesis, and root architecture remodeling.

Despite the critical role of PCD, the dynamic regulation of this process and the underlying molecular circuits remain poorly understood. This proposal seeks to identify and characterize the regulatory networks that confer PCD competence to specific plant cell types. The project will focus on the functional analysis of novel PCD regulators in Arabidopsis thaliana, Oryza sativa, and Diplotaxis tenuifolia. Particular emphasis will be placed on root developmental programs under abiotic stress conditions commonly exacerbated by climate change. By manipulating the activity of these newly identified regulators, the project aims to generate plant lines with enhanced resilience, contributing to the development of crops better adapted to increasingly challenging environmental scenarios.

Objectives:

• Identify candidate PCD regulators through transcriptomic and proteomic analyses on investigated plants in selected developmental and stress-related contexts.
• Functionally characterize key regulators using genetic, molecular, and cellular approaches in Arabidopsis thaliana, Oryza sativa, and Diplotaxis tenuifolia.
• Investigate the role of PCD in root development under abiotic stress conditions linked to climate change.
• Manipulate PCD-related regulatory pathways to assess their potential in enhancing stress resilience and improving plant performance.

High-throughput data analysis (e.g., RNA-seq, ATAC-seq, proteomics) will be employed to identify candidate genes and regulatory modules associated with PCD. CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing, inducible expression systems, and loss/gain-of-function mutants will be used to dissect gene function. Microscopy and cell biology techniques will be applied to monitor PCD events in vivo. 

Comparative studies across A. thaliana, O. sativa, and D. tenuifolia will provide evolutionary insight and translational potential in order to obtain a comprehensive map of molecular regulators and pathways involved in PCD across key plant species and a functional validation of novel PCD regulators and their integration into broader developmental and stress-response networks.

Identified regulatory targets will be modulated to enhance root system resilience under climate-related stresses thus laying the foundational knowledge and potential biotechnological tools for engineering crops with improved adaptability to changing environments.

The project supervisor possesses extensive experience in the molecular regulation of root development and has a well-established track record in project coordination, supported by a broad international research network. The host laboratory at the University of Pisa offers a multidisciplinary environment, integrating high-resolution imaging with advanced genetic and biochemical approaches. Potential international collaborations may offer the opportunity to carry out a research stay abroad.

Applicants to this research project are expected to have a strong background in plant molecular biology, genetics, or a closely related field, including DNA/RNA extraction, PCR/qPCR, gene cloning, plant transformation, transcriptomics, CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene editing, or reporter gene assays. Ideal candidates should demonstrate a solid understanding of plant developmental processes and stress physiology. An advanced competence in microscopy and imaging techniques for cellular and developmental analysis in plants is mandatory.

Eligibility criteria

Applicants must have a PhD degree at the time of the deadline for applications (10th September 2025). Applicants who have successfully defended their doctoral thesis but who have not yet formally been awarded the doctoral degree will also be considered eligible to apply.

At the call deadline, the applicant must have a maximum of 8 years experience in research, from the date of the award of their PhD degree. Years of experience outside research and career breaks will not count towards the above maximum, nor will years of experience in research in third countries, for nationals or long-term residents of EU Member States or Horizon Europe Associated Countries who wish to reintegrate to Europe.

Mobility Rule: The applicant may be of any nationality (European Fellowships) or nationals or long-term residents of EU Member States or Horizon Europe Associated Countries (Global Fellowships) but must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in Italy (for European Fellowships) or the host organisation for the outgoing phase (in case of Global Fellowship) for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately before 10th September 2025.

Application procedure

Expressions of interest must be sent by email to riccardo.dimambro@unipi.it no later than 20th May 2025 and must consist of two pdf files: 

1. Complete and updated CV, clearly demonstrating all 3 eligibility requirements.
2. Motivation letter, maximum one page.