Molecular Biologist for the HoloFood Project

Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences

University of Copenhagen

The Centre for Evolutionary Hologenomics is looking for a motivated molecular biologist for a period of 2 years, as part of the HoloFood EU Research Innovation Action project GA No 817729) awarded to Prof Tom Gilbert and colleagues, to explore the effect of host-microbiota interactions on salmon and chicken production and welfare parameters. This project is based around an international consortium of Universities and Private Industry, that is characterising host and gut microbial communities using a combined (meta)genomics and (meta)transcriptomics approach, so as to decipher the interactions between the two. The ultimate aim is to understand how host-microbiota interactions affect animal production and help tailor the industrial production of both systems through feed manipulation. More information on the project can be found at www.holofood.eu.

Our research

The Centre for Evolutionary Hologenomics was recently funded by the Danish Basic Research Foundation to develop and implement state-of-the-art ‘omics and associated computational techniques, to address through experimental and theoretical research, four key themes underscoring life on earth. Specifically, these are: What is the relationship between a host’s genome and the functional and taxonomic makeup of its associated microbial metagenome? Does this relationship explain ongoing ecological and evolutionary processes in the host? Could this relationship provide an alternate explanation to some of life’s big transitions? And, how have we humans exploited this relationship? The Centre is embedded within the GLOBE Institute, that is part of the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences at the University of Copenhagen. The Institute’s main purpose is to address basic scientific questions through interdisciplinary approaches. The institute operates at the intersection of natural sciences, medical sciences and the humanities.

Your Job

In order to minimise laboratory-driven variation in the data generation, all multi-omic analyses for the HoloFood project are being undertaken at our central laboratory in Copenhagen. We seek a skilled molecular biologist to coordinate the wet laboratory data generation for HoloFood, optimise laboratory protocols as needed during the project’s lifetime, and throughout the project undertake the training of the molecular biology consortium members from other partners who will be undertaking the data generation in our laboratories.

Main tasks

• Coordinate the molecular biology laboratory workflow of the HoloFood Innovation Action project.
• Be responsible for the successful laboratory workflows related to the generation of the necessary datasets for the project, including optimization and documentation.
• Keep a good record of the laboratory procedures.
• Host, train and overall guide researchers and partners from the action for the generation of the necessary genomic and transcriptomic data.
• Help in the preparation of progress and dissemination reports on the technical processes.

Mandatory Qualifications

• A minimum of a Masters degree in a relevant topic and/or 3 years or above relevant work experience.
• Experience in shotgun (meta)genomics and NGS, at both the laboratory and analytical level
• Evidence of independence in managing research/researchers in lab or project management experience.
• Excellent recording, analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work independently but in coordination with a dynamic team in a multidisciplinary research group.
• Fluency in English (written, reading, spoken).

Other Qualifications of Considerable Interest

• Previous experience working with international collaborations (both academia and industry).
• Understanding of microbiome research and/or hologenomics.
• Previous experience working with (meta)transcriptomes.
• Documented experience in the development and implication of nucleic acid extraction and NGS library preparation protocols.
• Experience working / implementing liquid handling robotic systems.
• Other language skills.

Place of employment

The place of employment is at the Centre for Evolutionary Hologenomics, GLOBE Institute, University of Copenhagen. We offer creative and stimulating working conditions in dynamic and international research environment. Our research facilities include modern laboratories and sequencing facilities.

Terms of salary and employment

The employment is a full-time 2 year position. Starting date is 1st July, 2020. Employment will be in accordance with the provisions of the collective agreement between the Danish Ministry of Finance and AC (the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations). The salary will be as academic employee based on the number of years of work experience (seniority) with the possibility to negotiate a salary supplement based on prior experiences and qualifications. The employer will pay an additional 17.1 % to your pension fund.

Questions

For further information regarding the position, please contact Prof Tom Gilbert, [email protected] and Dr Anna Fotakis, [email protected]

Application

Your application should be in English and include:

• Letter of application addressing the requirements (max. one page)
• Curriculum vita, including clear documentation of above listed mandatory skills requirement.
• Diplomas (Master and PhD degree or equivalent)
• Complete publication list

Please submit your application by clicking on “Apply Now” below. Only online applications will be accepted.

Application deadline: 22 April 2020, 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.

Interviews are expected to be held in weeks 18 and 19.

University of Copenhagen wish to reflect the diversity of society and welcome applications from all qualified candidates regardless of age, disability, gender, nationality, race, religion or sexual orientation. Appointment will be based on merit alone.

Kilde: Jobnet.dk