PhD fellowship in Bacteriophage Engineering at Department of Veterinary and Animal Scie...

We are offering a PhD fellowship in Bacteriophage Engineering commencing on October 1st 2019 or as soon as possible hereafter.

Our group and research

Our research group PHAGEBio studies the biology and applications of bacteriophages that have a natural ability to kill bacteria. The aim of our research is to elucidate novel mechanisms of phage-host interaction as well as exploiting phages and their enzymes to control pathogenic bacteria. We offer the opportunity to work in a state-of-the-art, highly innovative and scientifically stimulating environment. We value team work and consists of a group of ambitious researchers from all over the world and have a large network within the field of bacteriophages. We offer excellent training opportunities, both personally and professionally and the opportunity to contribute with new knowledge to an exciting and fast-moving scientific field.

For more information see here: https://ivh.ku.dk/english/research/food_safety_and_zoonoses/phages/

Project description

The world-wide threat of antibiotic resistant bacteria has made WHO and EU emphasize the urgent need for innovative research to develop alternatives to antibiotics against Gram-negative pathogens. The aim of this project is to develop custom-made antimicrobials specifically targeting critical clinical and foodborne pathogens. This will be achieved by engineering the tail of a unique bacteriophage to carry multiple binding capacities derived from the huge diversity of phage receptor binding proteins found in nature.

As a PhD fellow you will identify receptor binding proteins of phages infecting pathogenic bacteria such as Acinetobacter, Pseudomonas, E. coli, Klebsiella and Salmonella using bioinformatic tools and knowledge of phage biology. In addition, you will be responsible for characterizing the receptor binding proteins structurally and functionally and developing the final antimicrobials in collaboration with the post doc associated to the project. Finally, we expect you to reveal novel understanding of phage biology and phage-host interactions and contribute to other projects running in the PHAGEBio research group. The project is funded by The Independent Research fund Denmark.

Principal supervisor is Professor Lone Brøndsted, Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, [email protected]

Start: Date

Duration: 3 years as a PhD student

Job description

Your key tasks as a PhD student at SUND are:

• Carry through an independent research project under supervision
• Complete PhD courses or other equivalent education corresponding to approx. 30 ECTS points
• Participate in active research environments including a stay at another research team
• Obtain experience with teaching or other types of dissemination related to your PhD project
• Teach and disseminate your knowledge
• Write a PhD thesis on the grounds of your project

Key criteria for the assessment of applicants

We expect you to be highly motivated and ambitious and as an applicant you must have qualifications corresponding to a master’s degree related to the subject area of the project e.g. bacteriophage biology, molecular microbiology, biotechnology, structural biology or similar.

Other important criteria are:

• The grade point average achieved
• Professional qualifications relevant to the PhD project
• Previous publications
• Relevant work experience
• Other professional activities
• Curious mind-set with an active interest in bacteriophages, molecular, structural and synthetic biology
• Language skills

Place of employment

The place of employment is at Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen. We offer creative and stimulating working conditions in a dynamic and international research environment. Our research facilities include modern laboratories and state-of-the-art equipment.

Terms of employment

The employment as a PhD fellow is full time and for 3 years.

It is conditioned upon the applicant’s success­ful enrolment as a PhD student at the Graduate School at the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen. This requires submission and acceptance of an application for the specific project formulated by the applicant.

The PhD study must be completed in accordance with The Ministerial Order on the PhD programme (2013) and the Faculty’s rules on achieving the degree. Salary, pension and terms of employment are in accordance with the agree­ment between the Ministry of Finance and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State. Depending on seniority, the monthly salary begins around 26.755 DKK /approx. 3.567 EUR (April 2018-level) plus pension.

Questions

For specific information about the PhD fellowship, please contact the principal supervisor.

General information about PhD study at the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences is available at the Graduate School’s website: https://healthsciences.ku.dk/phd/guidelines/

Application procedure

Your application must be submitted electronically by clicking ‘Apply now’ below. The application must include the following documents in PDF format:

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

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

3. Master of Science diploma and transcript of records. If not completed, a certified/signed copy of a recent transcript of records or a written statement from the institution or supervisor will do

4. Publication list (if possible)

Application deadline: Wednesday July 31th 2019, 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.

The assessor makes a non-prioritized assessment of the academic qualifications and experience with respect to the above-mentioned area of research, techniques, skills and other requirements listed in the advertisement.

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 34.

The Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences comprises approximately 7500 students, 1500 PhD students and 3200 employees. The Faculty advances the field of health sciences through its core activities: research, teaching, knowledge sharing and communication. With basic research fields ranging from molecular studies to studies of society, the Faculty contributes to a healthy future through its graduates, research findings and inventions benefitting patients and the community. The University of Copenhagen wishes to reflect the surrounding community and invites all regardless of personal background to apply for the position.

Kilde: Jobnet.dk