PhD fellowship in “Bacterial Antibiotic Resistance Mechanisms”

19 Jan 2024
Job Information

Organisation/Company

University of Copenhagen

Research Field

Biological sciences » Biology

Researcher Profile

First Stage Researcher (R1)

Country

Denmark

Application Deadline

11 Feb 2024 - 23:59 (Europe/Copenhagen)

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Full-time

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

H2020 / Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions

Reference Number

101119534 - CLEAR

Marie Curie Grant Agreement Number

101119534

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Offer Description

The PhD is part of the EU funded “Cell Envelope Anti-bacterials” Doctoral Network (CLEAR)

The fellowship is part of the European Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Doctoral Network funded under the grant agreement No 101119534 - CLEAR.

The CLEAR Doctoral Network

The discovery of penicillin initiated the antibiotic era and saved millions from dying of life-threatening bacterial infections such as tuberculosis, and pneumonia. Antibiotics also paved the way for complex medical interventions such as organ transplants or cancer treatments. Today, these advancements are challenged by the world-wide spread of drug resistant bacteria no longer responding to antibiotic treatment. The effects of antibiotic resistance are already devastating with at least 1.2 million yearly deaths worldwide. The aim of the EU funded Doctoral Network “Cell Envelope Anti-bacterials ” (CLEAR) is to train 10 PhD students to become outstanding researchers in the field of antimicrobial resistance (AMR).  All projects are embedded in a tight and synergistic academic-industrial collaboration focusing on developing novel leads or alternative strategies to combat drug resistant bacterial pathogens.

Please find a list of the CLEAR project partners here: https://ivh.ku.dk/english/research/food_safety_and_zoonoses/partners/

The project

The β-lactam class of antibiotics stands out as the most widely used antimicrobial drug worldwide. Bacteria become resistant to β-lactams through horizontal acquisition of resistance genes, however, "intrinsic" bacterial factors encoded by the core genome are needed for resistance to be expressed.  In this PhD project we will use an array of genetic, biochemical, biophysical and microscopy techniques to investigate the molecular cross-talk between resistance genes and intrinsic factors.  Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) will be the preferred model organism and the goal is to find helper compounds that restore antibiotic sensitivity in MRSA. Planned research visits go to University of Amsterdam and industrial partner, NAICONS (Milan, Italy).

The group

The Frees group has extensive experience in the molecular biology of antibiotic resistance and the pathogenesis of gram-positive bacterial pathogens, particularly S. aureus. Major research interests of the group are to elucidate the killing mechanism of antibiotics and to identify novel targets that can be used to dis-arm bacteria by either restoring antibiotic sensitivity, or by preventing production of central virulence factors. Our research thrives in an open and inclusive atmosphere, fostering creativity and encouraging diverse perspectives. Learn more about the Frees Group by visiting [ https://ivh.ku.dk/english/research/food_safety_and_zoonoses/freeslab/  or contact us directly at [email protected] .

The institution

The Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (IVH: https://ivh.ku.dk/english/ ) is localized at the Frederiksberg campus of University of Copenhagen. Research at IVH focuses broadly on food safety, antibiotic resistance, animal welfare, immune system, and lifestyle diseases. The cross-disciplinary research is dedicated to  find solutions to important societal challenges in a highly collaborative atmosphere, supported by state-of-the-art Core Facilities and administrative services.

Required qualifications

• Master’s degree in life sciences. Please note that your master’s degree must be equivalent to a Danish master’s degree (two years 120 ECTS/2 FTE MSc + 180 ECTS/3 FTE BSc).
• Excellent microbiology/molecular biology laboratory skills
• Interest or experience in bioinformatics and sequence analysis
• Interest or experience in advanced microscopy
• High level of motivation, responsibility, and flexibility 
• Strong motivation and good collaborative skills.
• Excellent English skills, written and spoken

In addition, applicants will be required to meet the MSCA Doctoral Network eligibility criteria, notably:":

• You must not have resided or carried out your main activity (work, studies, etc.) in Denmark for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before the start of your employment at UCPH. Compulsory national service, short stays such as holidays, and time spent as part of a procedure for obtaining refugee status under the Geneva Convention are not taken into account.
• You must not be in possession of a doctoral degree when starting your employment at UCPH.

Applicants will only be considered for the position if they fulfill both of the above eligibility criteria.

Terms of employment
The average weekly working hours are 37 hours per week.

The position is a fixed-term position limited to a period of 3 years.  The start date is 1 May 2024 or after agreement.

The employment 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 Taxation and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State. Depending on seniority, the monthly salary starts at approximately 28,900 DKK/Roughly 3,800 EUR (October 2023 level) plus pension.

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

4. Publication list (if possible)

Application deadline:  11 February 2024, 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 find information about the recruitment process at: http://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/

The applicants 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 wish to reflect the diversity of society and encourage all qualified candidates to apply regardless of personal background. 

Part of the International Alliance of Research Universities (IARU), and among Europe’s top-ranking universities, the University of Copenhagen promotes research and teaching of the highest international standard. Rich in tradition and modern in outlook, the University gives students and staff the opportunity to cultivate their talent in an ambitious and informal environment. An effective organisation – with good working conditions and a collaborative work culture – creates the ideal framework for a successful academic career.

Requirements

Research Field

Biological sciences » Biology

Education Level

Master Degree or equivalent

Additional Information
Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

University of Copenhagen

Country

Denmark

Geofield

Where to apply

Website

https://candidate.hr-manager.net/ApplicationInit.aspx?cid=1307&ProjectId=160821…

Contact

City

Copenhagen

Website

http://www.ku.dk/english/

Street

Nygade 7, 2 sal

Postal Code

1164

Phone

31107536

STATUS: EXPIRED