2 PhD fellowships in developing rapeseed as a novel protein food crop

Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Copenhagen

Description of scientific environment
We are offering 2 PhD fellowships in the broad interdisciplinary area of developing and securing rapeseed as a novel food crop at Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen. The starting date is 1. April 2024 or as soon as possible thereafter. The two positions are financed by two project grants from the Independent Research Fund Denmark and Novo Nordisk Foundation, respectively, managed by Dr. Deyang Xu.

Project background
A transition towards a climate and environment-friendly food system requires an increase in plant-based, rather than meat-based, protein for human consumption. Rapeseed (Brassica napus) is the third largest oil crop in the world, and the press cake - that remains after oil extraction - is protein-rich and with an excellent amino acid composition and is emerging as an attractive protein source for human consumption. Two main challenges largely delay the progression of the development of rapeseed as a protein food crop: 1) the accumulation of anti-nutritional factors and off-flavours in seeds prevents novel food approval; 2) low genetic diversity within modern elite lines limits breeding of rapeseed, which is threaten by pests and pathogens. The two projects will address the challenges by identification and characterization of molecular breeding targets for rapeseed improvement. Research activities such as gene discovery and characterization will be conducted in both rapeseed and the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana.

PhD position 1
This project focus on development of an innovative strategy using transport engineering to specifically eliminate the anti-nutritional, defense compounds in the seeds of rapeseed, while keeping them in the rest of the plants. This will generate new disease-resistance cultivars. Moreover, by freeing rapeseed from its current single genetic background, the approach will greatly expand the gene pool of rapeseed for future breeding of resilient, high-yielding rapeseed as a promising novel protein food crop.

PhD position 2
The project will focus on improving the seed quality traits of rapeseed for human consumption. To use the rapeseed press cake as protein-rich raw material in wholefood products and food ingredients, there is a need to identify its key off-flavor compounds. Off-flavors have been identified in highly processed food-grade protein isolates, but it remains unknown which metabolites attribute to the bitter, astringent and pungent off-flavors in the press cake. Identification of genes responsible for off-flavors will provide breeding targets for improvement of quality of rapeseed press cake as novel food.

Who are we looking for?
We are seeking a competent, highly qualified, talented PhD student, who is enthusiastic about the opportunity to advance his/her skills in molecular plant breeding and trait development for improving plant-based food. Outstanding candidates wishing to be trained in holistic thinking and forefront technologies are cordially invited to apply.

Our research group and what can we offer?

You will be part of the DynaMo Center (www.dynamo.ku.dk) that has approx. 25 members. We offer an inspiring, creative and international research environment, with emphasis on the training of next generation of young scientists.

The DynaMo Center is part of Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of SCIENCE, University of Copenhagen. We are located at Frederiksberg Campus in Copenhagen. www.dynamo.ku.dk

Principal supervisor is Professor Barbara Ann Halkier, email [email protected] , phone (+45) 35 33 33 42, and Dr. Deyang Xu, email [email protected] , phone (+45) 35333555

The PhD programme
With a MSc degree, you can undertake the PhD program as:

A three year full-time study within the framework of the regular PhD program (5+3 scheme), only 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-Biotechnology, Biology, Ecology, Agronomy or a closely relate field. For information of eligibility of completed programmes, see General assessments for specific countries and Assessment database.

Responsibilities and tasks in the PhD program

Your key tasks as a PhD student are to:

• Manage and carry through your 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
• Write scientific papers aimed at international peer-reviewed journals

• Participate in conferences
• Teach, supervise BSc and MSc students, and disseminate your research
• Write and defend a PhD thesis on the basis of your project

We are looking for the following qualifications

• A MSc in Biology-Biotechnology, plant biology, genetics, biology, ecology, agronomy or closely related fields
• Research experiences in plant genetics, primary and specialised metabolism, metabolite profiling, seed biology, plant transport processes or rapeseed biology
• A curious mind-set with a keen interest in biology
• Excellent skills in written and spoken English
• Experience with transcriptomics, proteomics and metabolomics, multivariable data analysis, greenhouse and/or field studies, GWAS or above-mentioned topics is an advantage

Key criteria for the assessment of candidates
Special importance will be attached to applicants having the following professional and personal qualifications:

• An excellent grade point average in undergraduate and graduate studies
• Documented laboratory experience within relevant fields
• Expertise and/or strong interest in plant molecular biology, cell biology, metabolism and genetics
• Experience with omics (transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics) and multivariable data analysis in R/python will be an advantage
• Well-developed collaborative skills
• Relevant research publications

Emphasis for selecting the successful candidate will be on previous publications (if any) and relevant work experience.

Further information on the Department is linked at http://www.science.ku.dk/english/about-the-faculty/organisation/. Inquiries about the position can be made to Barbara Ann Halkier or Deyang Xu.

Terms of employment
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.

You are welcome to indicate in your application, which one of the two PhD positions you prefer to apply for. The application, in English, must be submitted electronically by clicking APPLY NOW below.

Please include

• Motivation letter (max. one page)
• Curriculum vita
• Diplomas (Master degree or equivalent. If not completed, a certified/signed copy of a recent transcript of record or a statement from the institution should be included.)
• Complete publication list (if applicable )
• Contact information for two to three reference persons

The deadline for applications is 4 February 2024 at 23:59 GMT +2.

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 deadline, a number of applicants will be selected for academic assessment by an unbiased expert assessor. You are notified, whether you will be passed for assessment.

The assessor will assess the qualifications and experience of the shortlisted applicants with respect to the above mentioned research area, techniques, skills and other requirements. The assessor will conclude whether each applicant is qualified and, if so, for which of the two models. The assessed applicants will have the opportunity to comment on their assessment. You can read about the recruitment process at http://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/.

Interviews will be held on shortly after the deadline.

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

General information about PhD study at the Faculty of SCIENCE is available at the PhD School’s website: https://www.science.ku.dk/phd/.

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