PhD fellowship in Molecular Cell Biology

PhD Project in Molecular Mechanisms controlling Lateral Root formation in plants
Department of Biology
Faculty of SCIENCE
University of Copenhagen

Department of Biology, Section for Functional Genomics, invites applicants for a PhD fellowship in [Molecular Mechanisms controlling Lateral Root formation in plants, which is financed by the Danish Research Council.

Start date is (expected to be) 1st April 2025 or as soon as possible thereafter.

The project
With project we aim to investigate how exogenous factors influence the cellular decision-making leading to lateral root formation. We aim to identify how these exogenous factors impact the root’s intrinsic clock, and potentially manipulate this clock to maximize lateral root formation. We will achieve this by combining state-of-the art microscopy, molecular, biochemical and genetic approaches.

Who are we looking for?
We are looking for candidates within the field(s) of Biology, Molecular Biology or related areas with significant laboratory experience. Ideally, the successful candidate will possess excellent skills in with life-cell imaging, cloning, and molecular biology techniques. The candidate should hopefully be extremely enthusiastic about scientific research, proactive, imaginative and should be able to work independently and in a team.

Our group and research- and what do we offer?
Our group is interested in how plants cells execute reprogramming under new conditions, namely during development and stress adaptation. To achieve this, we use a combination of genetic, cell and molecular biology approaches. We then apply our toolkit to distant model species to gain perspective on how these processes evolved in plants. We conduct curiosity-driven fundamental research with potential applicability to find solutions to create plants with enhanced productivity and tolerance to stress.

The group is a part of Department of Biology, Section for Functional Genomics, Faculty of SCIENCE, University of Copenhagen. The Section provides a strong, international environment for research in the field of Genetics and Genomics located at Copenhagen Biocenter, Ole Maaløes Vej 5, Copenhagen N. The Section currently employs 10 principal investigators, 4 technicians, 12 postdocs, 25 PhD students as well as several undergraduate students.

We offer creative and stimulating working conditions in a dynamic and international research environment. Our research facilities include modern laboratories with access to core facilities.

• Principal supervisors are Ass. Prof. Eleazar Rodriguez, Department of Biology, E-mail: [email protected], Telephone: +4535322018 and Prof.Xu Peng, Dep. Biology [email protected]. Telephone: +4535322018
• Application letter showing us your motivation for applying to this PhD project (max. one page)
• Curriculum vitae including information about your education, experience, language skills and other skills relevant for the position
• Original diplomas for Bachelor of Science and 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.
• Publication list (if possible)
• Reference letters (if available)

The PhD programme
Qualifications needed
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, e.g. Biology, Biochemstry, Molecular Biology or similar. For information of eligibility of completed programmes, see General assessments for specific countries and Assessment database.

Terms of employment in the regular 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

• Carry through an independent 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
• Teaching and knowledge dissemination activities
• Write scientific papers aimed at high-impact journals
• Write and defend a PhD thesis on the basis of your project

We are looking for the following qualifications:

• Professional qualifications relevant to the PhD project
• Relevant publications
• Relevant work experience
• Other relevant professional activities
• Curious mind-set with a strong interest in Plant development and cellular reprogramming
• Good language skills

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

Please include:

Application deadline:
The deadline for applications is 31st of January 2025, 23:59 CET.

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 beginning/mid February.

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.

Info
Ansøgningsfrist: 31-01-2025

Ansættelsesdato: 01-04-2025

Arbejdstid: Fuldtid

Afdeling/Sted: Department of Biology