PhD fellowship in sustainable protein production in rapeseed

Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Copenhagen

We are seeking a talented PhD fellow to join our team in advancing sustainable plant-based protein production at the Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences. The successful candidate will work on elucidating the molecular mechanisms governing seed quality traits, with a focus on protein content and composition in rapeseed (Brassica napus) under low nitrogen input conditions.

The PhD position is available for 3 years with a start date of 1st Jan, 2025, or as soon as possible thereafter.

Project background
Sustainable agriculture and the climate crisis urge a dramatic increase in the production of plant-based protein for human consumption. Rapeseed, the third-largest oil crop worldwide, offers an excellent amino acid profile in its protein-rich press cake, making it an attractive alternative protein source. However, current elite lines exhibit an inverse correlation between oil and protein content. Breeding efforts have prioritized oil yield, and the potential for optimization of protein quality and content in rapeseed is largely unexplored.

The overall aim of the PhD project is to identify novel breeding targets for optimizing protein traits in rapeseed while maintaining oil content under low nitrogen input conditions, thereby promoting sustainable agriculture practices for a promising future protein food crop.

The tasks will be diverse and include:

• Screen rapeseed cultivars for distinct protein compositions and quantities under low nitrogen input conditions
• Identify key genes associated with protein quantity and composition using population genetics and molecular genetic approaches
• Characterize gene functions and their physiological roles in planta using molecular genetic tools such as CRISPR
• Collaborate with team members to establish rapeseed as a future protein food crop in sustainable agriculture systems
• Disseminate findings through internal talks, conferences, and publications

Who are we looking for?
We are seeking a highly motivated candidate who will take initiative and responsibility, work independently and thrive in a collaborative environment. The candidate we are looking for has the following competencies and experience:

• MSc degree in plant biology, genetics, or a related field
• Experience in plant molecular biology and genetics
• Proficiency in written and spoken English
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team

Practical experience with the following techniques is favored but not a necessity:

• Research experience in plant genetics, metabolism, seed biology, or rapeseed biology
• Familiarity with GWAS, protein quantification and analysis, single-cell or spatial transcriptomics, and data science
• Experience with greenhouse and/or field studies
• Knowledge of transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and multivariate data analysis

Our research group and what can we offer?
You will be part of the DynaMo Center (www.dynamo.ku.dk) that has approx. 25 members. We offer an inspiring, creative and international research environment, with emphasis on the training of next generation of young scientists.

The DynaMo Center is part of Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Copenhagen. We are located at Frederiksberg Campus in Copenhagen.

Further information on the Department is linked at https://plen.ku.dk/english/.

Principal supervisor is Professor Barbara Ann Halkier, email [email protected], phone (+45) 35 33 33 42 and co-supervisor is Dr Deyang Xu email [email protected], phone (+45) 35333555.

The PhD programme
With a MSc degree, you can undertake the PhD program as:

A three year full-time study within the framework of the regular PhD program (5+3 scheme), only if you already have an education equivalent to a relevant Danish master’s degree.

Qualifications needed for the regular programme
To be eligible for the regular PhD programme, you must have completed a degree programme, equivalent to a Danish master’s degree (180 ECTS/3 FTE BSc + 120 ECTS/2 FTE MSc) related to the subject area of the project. For information of eligibility of completed programmes, see General assessments for specific countries and Assessment database.

Terms of employment in the PhD programme
Employment as PhD fellow is full time and for maximum 3 years.

Employment is conditional upon your successful enrolment as a PhD student at the PhD School at the Faculty of SCIENCE, University of Copenhagen. This requires submission and acceptance of an application for the specific project formulated by the applicant.

Terms of appointment and payment accord to the agreement between the Danish Ministry of Taxation and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State. The position is covered by the Protocol on Job Structure.

Responsibilities and tasks in the PhD program
Your key tasks as a PhD student are to:

• Manage and carry through your research project under supervision
• Complete PhD courses corresponding to approx. 30 ECTS / ½ FTE
• Participate in active research environments, including a stay at another research institution, preferably abroad
• Write scientific papers aimed at international peer-reviewed journals

• Participate in conferences
• Teach, supervise BSc and MSc students, and disseminate your research
• Write and defend a PhD thesis on the basis of your project

Application and assessment procedure
Your application including all attachments must be in English and submitted electronically by clicking APPLY NOW below.

Please include

• Motivation letter (maximum one page) that clearly articulates your reasons for applying, how your research experience or ideas can advance the project with highlights of specific examples of past contributions or individual cases.
• Curriculum vitae including information about your education, experience, language skills and other skills relevant for the position
• Original diplomas for Bachelor of Science or Master of Science and transcript of records in the original language, including an authorized English translation if issued in another language than English or Danish. If not completed, a certified/signed copy of a recent transcript of records or a written statement from the institution or supervisor is accepted.
• Complete publication list (if applicable)
• Reference letters (if available)
• Contact information for two to three reference persons

The deadline for applications is 23th October 2024, 23:59 GMT +1.
We reserve the right not to consider material received after the deadline, and not to consider applications that do not live up to the abovementioned requirements.

The further process
After deadline, a number of applicants will be selected for academic assessment by an unbiased expert assessor. You are notified, whether you will be passed for assessment.

The assessor will assess the qualifications and experience of the shortlisted applicants with respect to the above mentioned research area, techniques, skills and other requirements. The assessor will conclude whether each applicant is qualified and, if so, for which of the two models. The assessed applicants will have the opportunity to comment on their assessment. You can read about the recruitment process at https://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/.

Interviews with selected candidates are expected to be held in the middle of November

Questions
For specific information about the PhD fellowship, please contact the principal supervisor.

General information about PhD study at the Faculty of SCIENCE is available at the PhD School’s website: https://www.science.ku.dk/phd/.

The University of Copenhagen wishes to reflect the surrounding community and invites all regardless of personal background to apply for the position.

Københavns Universitet giver sine knap 10.000 medarbejdere muligheder for at udnytte deres talent fuldt ud i et ambitiøst, uformelt miljø. Vi sikrer traditionsrige og moderne rammer om uddannelser og fri forskning på højt internationalt niveau. Vi søger svar og løsninger på fælles problemer og gør ny viden tilgængelig og nyttig for andre.

Kontakt
Barbara Ann Halkier
E-mail: [email protected]

Kontakt
Deyang Xu
E-mail: [email protected]

Info
Ansøgningsfrist: 23-10-2024

Ansættelsesdato: 01-01-2025

Afdeling/Sted: Molecular Plant Biology