Last Date: 05-05-2024.
A 3-year PhD position on the consumption of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) by plant-associated microbial communities is offered at the Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Denmark. The position will be based at Center for Volatile Interactions (www.VOLT.ku.dk), a Center of Excellence funded by the Danish National Research Foundation.
Start date is expected to be June 15th 2024 or as soon as possible thereafter.
The project
All organisms produce, and some consume, mixtures of VOCs. However, biological sources and sinks of VOCs, other than terrestrial plants, remain poorly characterized. The PhD position will focus on VOC transformations by microorganisms associated with plants and mosses. The work will encompass field and laboratory work and will combine VOC production and consumption rate measurements and molecular analyses of microbial communities to assess VOC production/consumption processes and identify the key microorganisms involved.
Who are we looking for?
We are looking for an enthusiastic and ambitious candidate with an MSc degree in biology, ecology, microbiology, molecular biology or similar fields obtained before the initiation of the PhD position. Experience with microbial ecology, measurements of VOC production and consumption rates, analyses of microbial communities using DNA- or RNA-based tools, and biostatistical tools to annalyse large multivariate data sets are an asset. Good English language skills are required. The main criterion for selection will be the research potential of the applicant; thus, scientific publication(s) will be a strong asset.
Our group and research – and what we offer
The successful candidate becomes an integrated part of the Center for Volatile Interactions. We offer creative, stimulating and collaborative working conditions in a dynamic and international research environment with a strong group of PhD students and postdocs. The Center is housed in Universitetsparken, Copenhagen, where we have laboratory facilities and state-of-the-art instrumentation for analyses of volatile compounds, molecular analyses of microbial community structure and activity, as well as plant growth facilities.
Principal supervisors will be Center Leader Prof. Riikka Rinnan (Section of Terrestrial Ecology, E-mail [email protected]), Assoc. Prof. Kathrin Rousk (Section of Terrestrial Ecology, E-mail [email protected]), and Prof. Anders Priemé (Section of Microbiology, E-mail [email protected]).
The PhD programme
A three year full-time study within the framework of the regular PhD programme (5+3 scheme), 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, e.g., biology, microbiology, ecology, or molecular biology. 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 in the PhD programme
- 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 microbial ecology
- Good language and communication skills
- Strong collaborative skills
Application and Assessment Procedure
Your application including all attachments must be in English and submitted electronically by clicking APPLY NOW below.
Please include:
- Motivated letter of application (max. one page)
- Your motivation for applying for the specific PhD project
- Curriculum vitae including information about your education, experience, language skills and other skills relevant for the position (max. 2 pages)
- 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.
- Publication list (if possible)
Application deadline:
The deadline for applications is May 5th 2024, 23:59 CEST.
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.
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