PhD Project in Experimental Biophysics

Niels Bohr Institute/Biocomplexity
Faculty of SCIENCE

University of Copenhagen

We invite applicants for a PhD fellowship in Biophysical mechanisms behind GPCR mechanosensing. The project is part of a larger cross institutional synergy project called MechSense financed by the Novo Nordisk Foundation.

Start date is 1 June 2024 or as soon as possible thereafter.

The project

The overall aim is to investigate GPCR mechanosensing on single cells using optical and micromanipulation techniques. The project will go deep to understand which mechanisms are at play when GPCR receptors respond to mechanical stress of various kind. A close collaboration with researchers from the medical- and chemistry institute will ensure access to mutants and biological experstise in general. Technically, the project involves use of LUMICKS system used for optical trapping and micromanipulation using micropippettes.

Who are we looking for?

We are looking for candidates within the field(s) of Physics, Biophysics, Biology, Nanoscience or related fields. Applicants can have a background from optical trapping, biophysics work performed on single cells and confocal imaging or other types of fluorescence imaging. A knowledge of bio-related work is clearly an advantage. Also, programming skills in e.g. Phyton or Matlab are highly appreciated as well as good writing skills. Finally, we appreciate a student who can work independently and critically advance/drive the project and actively seek solutions to upcoming problems instead of only acquiring data. Good English oral and written skills are highly appreciated.

Our group and research- and what do we offer?

We are an internationally oriented group of researchers from physics, bio and nano who synergistically create an cross disciplinary environment for our postdocs and students. The group is a part of the Niels Bohr Institute, Faculty of SCIENCE, University of Copenhagen. We are located in Copenhagen where the scientific environment is extremely fruitful these years with lots of opportunities for student to develop there career.

We offer creative and stimulating working conditions in dynamic and international research environment. Our research facilities include modern laboratories including superresolution imaging, world leading optical tweezing facility and lots of other methods for studying cutting edge biophysics.

Principal supervisor is Poul Martin Bendix, Biocomplexity, Niels Bohr Institute, [email protected], Phone: 61602454.

The PhD programme

Depending on your level of education, you can undertake the PhD programme as either:

Option A: A three year full-time study within the framework of the regular PhD programme (5+3 scheme), if you already have an education equivalent to a relevant Danish Master’s degree.

Option B: An up to five year full-time study programme within the framework of the integrated MSc and PhD programme (the 3+5 scheme), if you do not have an education equivalent to a relevant Danish master´s degree – but you do have an education equivalent to at least a Danish Bachelor’s degree.

********************************************************************************

Getting into a position on the PhD programme

Qualifications needed for the PhD 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. physics, biophysics, nanoscience etc.. . For information of eligibility of completed programmes, see General assessments for specific countries and Assessment database.

Terms of employment in the regular programme
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.

The terms of employment and salary are in accordance to the agreement between the Ministry of Finance and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State (AC). The position is covered by the Protocol on Job Structure.

Option B: Getting into a position on the integrated MSc and PhD programme

Qualifications needed for the integrated MSc and PhD programme

If you do not have an education equivalent to a relevant Danish master´s degree, you might be qualified for the integrated MSc and PhD programme, if you have an education equivalent to at least a relevant Danish bachelor´s degree. Here you can find out, if that is relevant for you: General assessments for specific countries and Assessment database.

Terms of the integrated programme
To be eligible for the integrated scholarship, you are (or are eligible to be) enrolled at one of the faculty’s master programmes in physics.

Students on the integrated programme will enroll as PhD students simultaneously with completing their enrollment in this MSc degree programme.

The duration of the integrated programme is up to five years and depends on the amount of credits that you have passed on your MSc programme. For further information about the study programme, please see: www.science.ku.dk/phd, “Study Structures”.

Until the MSc degree is obtained, (when exactly two years of the full 3+5 programme remains), the grant will be paid partly in the form of 48 state education grant portions (in Danish: “SU-klip”) plus salary for work (teaching, supervision etc.) totalling a workload of at least 150 working hours per year.
A PhD grant portion is DKK 6,243.

When you have obtainedtheMSc degree, you will transfer to the salary-earning part of the scholarship for a period of two years. At that point, the terms of employment and payment will be according to the agreement between the Ministry of Finance and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State (AC). The position is covered by the Protocol on Job Structure.

Responsibilities and tasks in both PhD programmes

• Complete and pass the MSc education in accordance with the curriculum of the MSc programme

(ONLY when you are attending the integrated MSc and PhD programme)

• Carry through an independent 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
• Teaching and knowledge dissemination activities
• Write scientific papers aimed at high-impact journals
• Write and defend a PhD thesis on the basis of your project

We are looking for the following qualifications:

• Professional qualifications relevant to the PhD project
• Relevant publications
• Relevant work experience
• Other relevant professional activities
• Curious mind-set with a strong interest in cell biophysics and GPCR biology
• Good language skills

***************************************************************************

Application and Assessment Procedure

Your application including all attachments must be in English and submitted electronically by clicking APPLY NOW below.

Please include:

1. Motivated letter of application (max. one page)
2. Your motivation for applying for the specific PhD project
3. Curriculum vitae including information about your education, experience, language skills and other skills relevant for the position
4. Original diplomas for Bachelor of Science or Master of Science and transcript of records in the original language, including an authorized English translation if issued in another 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.
5. Publication list (if possible)
6. Reference letters (if available)

Application deadline:

The deadline for applications is 15th March 2024, 23:59 GMT +1.

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/.

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