PhD position in the Marie Sklodowska-Curie Doctoral Network (MSCA-DN) Training Position in the field of fertility and...

We are offering a PhD position at the DNRF Center for Chromosome Stability with the Hoffmann Group, commencing from 1 September 2024 or after agreement. The position is fixed term for 3 years and full time (37 working hour in average per week).

The candidate will be part of a Marie Sklodowska-Curie Doctoral Network (MSCA-DN) Training Network focusing on advancing fertility and reproduction through dedicated and innovative technological applications (AFRODITA; www.afrodita-dn.eu).

The position is open for talented young researchers with a master’s degree, who want to pursue a PhD degree in biomedical research. The project AFRODITA Doctoral Network (MSCA DN is funded from the European Union’s Horizon Europe programme under the MSCA Doctoral Network grant agreement Nº 101120126).

You will be part of a network of 15 PhD student (https://euraxess.ec.europa.eu/jobs/210705), who will be obtaining joint degrees from two Universities in Europe. For the project where the main host is University of Copenhagen, and second host is University of Gent. We are looking for a highly motivated and enthusiastic candidate with a strong background in biochemistry, molecular biology, cell biology, or reproductive biology. You will be studying the effects ageing and aneuploidy in human oocytes as well as in models (Gruhn et al, Science, 2019).

The candidates must have a master's degree in either biochemistry, molecular biology, (bio)medicine, biology, or similar. Knowledge of molecular techniques and bioinformatics (R, Python, and Linux) are an advantage, but not a requirement.

The successful candidates will be employed as PhD fellow at the Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine (ICMM) at the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen.

Our research
The DNRF Center for Chromosome Stability consists of eight research groups and 50 members conducting interdisciplinary research and training Center located at the Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine (ICMM). CCG has state-of-the-art facilities for mass spectrometry, mass photometry, flow cytometry, cell engineering, and glycan arrays, and group leaders hold diverse expertise in all areas of glycosciences. Our core valuables include glycoproteome data and bioinformatics tools, validated gene editing tools, glycoengineered cell libraries, and design matrices for the recombinant production of glycotherapeutics. CCG hosts an international seminar series, PhD courses in glycobiology and gene editing, and participates in ICMMs education program.

Principal supervisor: Professor, group leader Eva Hoffmann; e-mail: [email protected].

Start date: 1 September 2024 or after agreement with the cohort of the MSCA-DN

Duration: 3 years

The successful candidate will conduct independent research related to the topics above at the Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine (ICMM). We expect the candidate to engage in an active research environment and take part in student guidance.

Key criteria for the assessment of applicants for the position
You have a master's degree in biochemistry, molecular biology, (bio)medicine, biology, or similar (equivalent to a Danish candidate 3+2 years).

Certified copy of original Master of Science diploma and transcript of records in the original language, including an authorized English translation if issued in other 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.

As a prerequisite for a PhD fellowship employment, your master’s degree must be equivalent to a Danish master’s degree. We encourage you to read more in the assessment database: https://ufm.dk/en/education/recognition-and-transparency/find-assessments/assessment-database.

Please note that we might ask you to obtain an assessment of your education performed by the Ministry of Higher Education and Science.

Other important criteria are:

• Knowledge and preferable skills in working with tissue culture
• Familiarity with molecular biology
• Knowledge about bioinformatics (R, Python, Linux)
• Knowledge about aneuploidy and reproductive ageing
• Previous scientific publications in peer-reviewed journals are not required but will be an advantage.
• You have a curious mindset and an active interest in fertility and basic molecular mechanisms.
• Proficient communication skills and ability to work in teams
• Excellent written and spoken English skills.

Applicants should be highly organized and motivated to carry out research related to the topics described above. Candidates with prior experience in molecular reproduction, primary tissue research, and/or DNA sequencing and bioinformatic analysis will receive advantaged consideration.

Mobility rule
The researcher must not have resided or carried out his/her/their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of the recruiting beneficiary for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately before the recruitment date. Short stays as holidays and compulsory military service and/or Refugee Convention 1951 are disregarded.

Eligibility as Doctoral Candidate (DC)
The recruited DC must be doctoral candidates, i.e. not already in possession of a doctoral degree at the first day of the employment. Researchers who have successfully defended their doctoral thesis but who have not yet formally been awarded the doctoral degree will not be considered eligible.

Place of employment
The place of employment is at the Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine (ICMM), University of Copenhagen. ICMM offers a creative and ambitious scientific environment, with many different nationalities represented. ICMM aims to produce research with high international impact focusing on the functional cell, its genetic components, and molecular cellular mechanisms in a medical context.

ICMM currently comprises five research programs, three high profile Research Centers as well as several international research groups. The scientists at ICMM are involved in high quality research based undergraduate and graduate teaching programs at the University of Copenhagen.

More information can be found at https://icmm.ku.dk/english/.

Terms of employment
Salary, pension and terms of employment will be in accordance with the Agreement between the Ministry of Taxation and AC (Danish Confederation of Professional Associations) or other relevant organization. Currently, the monthly salary starts at DKK 30,716 / approx. EUR 4,122 (April 2024-level). Depending on qualifications, a supplement may be negotiated. The employer will pay an additional 17.1 % to your pension fund.

The position is covered by the Job Structure for Academic Staff at Universities 2020.

Questions
For further information about the position, please contact the hiring group leader mentioned above.

International applicants may find this link useful: www.ism.ku.dk (International Staff Mobility) or https://www.workindenmark.dk.

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, 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 any).

Deadline for applications: Thursday 16 May 2024, 23.59 p.m. 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 above-mentioned 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 which will consist of both internal (UCPH) and external members. 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 may read about the recruitment process at https://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.

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