We are looking for a highly motivated and dynamic researcher for a two-year period for a postdoc position in Section for Clinical Veterinary Microbiology, Research group for Molecular Veterinary Bacteriology. The postdoc will be associated two research projects financed by GUDP. The start date is 1 September 2021 or as soon as possible thereafter.

The research carried out by the postdoc fellow relates to prevention of diarrhoea in calves (Project Calfcare), and reduction of pathogen load in pig stables using UV light (UVIBA). In both projects, you will have specific tasks related to microbiological aspects of the research questions. In Calfcare, this is related to diagnostic microbiology, while you will be involved in testing of pathogen reduction by UV light in the laboratory as well as in pig stables in UVIBA. Information on the section can be found at https://ivh.ku.dk/english/research/veterinary_clinical_microbiology/

Our research
Both projects are carried out in interdisciplinary collaboration with private companies, the Technical University of Denmark and the Livestock industry, and in UVIBA, Aarhus University is further participating, and the post doc fellow is expected to interact with all these partners, including occasionally carrying out research in the laboratories of the partners. At the section, you will be part of an international research team with focus on means to reduce development of antimicrobial resistance in livestock. This includes basic as well as applied research into resistance development, alternatives to antibiotic treatment and preventive measures, such as feeding fermented milk products (Calfcare) and reducing bacterial and viral load in the stable (UVIBA). Currently, the research group consists of 12 scientists and PhD students.

Your job
At the current stage of the project, the research in Calfcare has focus on field testing of how well specific fermented milk products can prevent diarrhoea due to Salmonella and E. coli in calves in milking herds, and your tasks relate to documentation of this by characterization of pathogen load in intestinal contents. The UVIBA project is newly started and the you will participate in development of test systems to measure pathogen inactivation by treatment with UV light and in documentation of reduction capability of the UV-light in pig stables. As a postdoc fellow in our group, we expect you to get involved in other project where your skills can be useful, and we are looking for a person with a wish to interact with PhD students and be an inspiration for them.

Profile
We are looking for a highly motivated and enthusiastic scientist with the following competencies and experience:

Essential experience and skills:

• You have a PhD in veterinary microbiology
• You are highly experienced in veterinary microbiology
• You have proficient communication skills and ability to work in teams
• You have excellent English skills written and spoken
• You have a good track record with regard to publication of results from previous research projects

Desirable experience and skills:

In addition to the skills above, it will be considered an advantage if

• You are a veterinarian or have a similar training, which gives you insight into practical livestock production
• You have an active interest in science aiming at reduced use of antimicrobials in livestock production preferably documented by previous research

Place of employment

The place of employment is at Section for Clinical Veterinary Microbiology, Department of Veterinary Microbiology, University of Copenhagen. We offer creative and stimulating working conditions in dynamic and international research environment. Our research facilities include modern laboratories for microbiology.

Terms of employment
The employment as postdoc is a full time and fixed-term position for 2 years. Starting date is 1 September 2021 or as soon as possible thereafter.

Salary, pension and terms of employment will be in accordance with the agreement between the Danish Ministry of Finance and AC (Danish Confederation of Professional Associations). Currently, the monthly salary starts at 33,600 DKK/ approx. 4,480 Euro (April 2018-level). Depending on qualifications, a supplement may be negotiated. The employer will pay an additional 17.1 % to your pension fund.

Non-Danish and Danish applicants may be eligible for tax reductions, if they hold a PhD degree and have not lived in Denmark the last 10 years.

The position is covered by the “Memorandum on Job Structure for Academic Staff at the Universities” of 2020.

Questions
For further information please contact John Elmerdahl Olsen, [email protected]. Information about the Faculty can be found at www.sund.ku.dk, and foreign applicants may find this link useful: www.ism.ku.dk (International Staff Mobility).

Application procedure
Your online application must be submitted in English by clicking ‘Apply now’ below. Furthermore, your application must include the following documents/attachments – all in PDF format:

1. Motivated letter of application (max. one page).

2. CV incl. education, work/research experience, language skills and other skills relevant for the position.

3. A certified/signed copy of a) PhD certificate and b) Master of Science certificate. If the PhD is not completed, a written statement from the supervisor will do.

4. List of publications.

Application deadline: 6June 2021, 23.59pm 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 the expiry of the deadline for applications, the authorized recruitment manager selects applicants for assessment on the advice of the hiring committee. All applicants are then immediately notified whether their application has been passed for assessment by an unbiased assessor. Once the assessment work has been completed each applicant has the opportunity to comment on the part of the assessment that relates to the applicant him/herself.

You can read about the recruitment process at http://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/

The applicant will be assessed according to the Ministerial Order no. 242 of 13 March 2012 on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Universities.

Interviews are expected to be held in week 26-28.

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