Two 5 year PhD Scholarships in Molecular Microbiology: Two 5-year PhD scholarships building on a 3 year Bachelor degree funded by the Novo Nordisk Foundation via a Laureate Research Grant to Kenn Gerdes is available in the Section for Functional Genomics of the Dept. of Biology. The starting date of the scholarship is September 1, 2015 or as soon as possible thereafter.
Area of research
The projects aim to (i) analyse regulation of expression of (p)ppGpp synthetase genes (relA and spoT) in the model organism Escherichia coli and (ii) isolate and characterize toxin – antitoxin genes from pathogenic organisms related toE. coli. The PhD candidates will gain experience in working with bacterial genetics, biochemistry and physiology, using cutting edge techniques in molecular biology and microbiology.
Qualifications
The preferred candidates will have a Bachelor degree in molecular microbiology or another related field. We expect the candidates to have a background with focus on the molecular biology of model organisms, and work with recombinant DNA and/or proteins, preferably with E. coli as the model organism. Experience with bacterial stress response and persistence (multidrug tolerance is seen as an advantage).
Further requirements include fluency in written and spoken English.
If you finish your Bachelor degree between the deadline for applications and September 1, 2015, you should confirm this by attaching a statement written by your supervisor.
Application
Applicants are requested to submit their application electronically below including:
- A cover letter describing personal qualities, research interests and motivation for the position• A curriculum vitae
• Names and contact details of two references
An assessment committee will be appointed to evaluate the applications. The applicants will be notified of the composition of the committee and the final selection of successful candidates will be made by the Head of Department, based on the recommendations of the assessment committee. The main criterion for selection will be the research potential of the applicant. The successful candidates will then be requested to formally apply for enrolment as PhD students at the PhD school of Science. Information about the PhD program at the Faculty of Science can be found at http://www.science.ku.dk/english/research/phd
Terms of salary and employment
Terms of appointment and payment are in accordance with the agreement between the Danish Ministry of Finance and the Danish Federation of Professional Associations (AC). The starting salary for candidates with an MSc degree will be a minimum of DKK 306.667 annually (April 2015 level) plus pension contribution with the possibility of salary negotiation.
The University of Copenhagen wishes to reflect the diversity of society and welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background.
The deadline for applications is July 21, 2015.
Applications received after the deadline, or with insufficient documentation or otherwise not complying with the above requirements, may not be considered. It is expected that the successful candidates will be enrolled at the PhD School of Science.
Contact persons
For further information on the project or the position, please contact Professor Kenn Gerdes at kgerdes@bio.ku.dk