Postdoctoral Fellowship in Molecular Microbiology

Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen

This Postdoc position is associated with a project funded by the Novo Nordisk Foundation. The aim of this project is to better understand plasmid horizontal dissemination routes across microbiomes and the interactions between bacteria and their plasmids. In particular, the research will focus on gaining molecular insights into the co-evolutionary arms race between plasmids and their cell hosts (evolution of bacterial-encoded barriers to plasmid spread, and the corresponding plasmid-encoded anti-barriers), ultimately exploiting this knowledge for biotechnological purposes.

The Postdoc position is for 2 years and will be based at Section of Microbiology, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.  Additionally, this project is part of a collaboration with the Dept. of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden.

The postdoc’s duties will include research within Microbiology as well as teaching. The post may also include performance of other duties.

The position is open from February 1st 2022or as soon as possible thereafter.

Qualifications                                                           
We are looking for a motivated and ambitious researcher with experience in molecular microbiology. Applicants should preferably have the following qualifications:

• PhD in Molecular Microbiology, Microbial Genetics, or equivalent.

• Strong molecular microbiology and bacterial genetics background, with considerable experience working with bacterial cloning and state-of-the-art genetic manipulation techniques.
• Basic bioinformatic skills and ability to work with command line tools. Coding skills using common languages such as Python, R, bash are desired but not a requirement.
• Experience working with plasmids or phages will be considered an advantage.

• Proficiency in English; excellent communication skills (written and spoken).
• Experience mentoring students in the lab at all academic levels (technician, bachelor, master and PhD students).
• Motivated to work in a multidisciplinary research team, as well as independently, with an open communication style and a problem-solving attitude.

Main tasks of the appointed applicant

• Design of molecular, genetic and biochemical analyses for interrogating bacterial-plasmid interactions.
• Development of the molecular biology tools for advanced microbiome engineering applications.

Application
The application must contain:

• Motivated letter of application
• Curriculum vitae
• Complete List of publications
• PhD and Master diploma or transcript in English
• Separate reprints of 2 particularly relevant papers

Contact and inquiries
Further information on the Department is linked at https://www.science.ku.dk/english/about-the-faculty/organisation/. Inquiries about the position can be made to Prof. Søren J. Sørensen, PhD ([email protected]).

Terms of employment
The position is covered by the Memorandum on Job Structure for Academic Staff.
Terms of appointment and payment accord to the agreement between the Ministry of Finance and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State.
Negotiation for salary supplement is possible.

The application, in English, must be submitted electronically by clicking APPLY NOW below.

The University of Copenhagen wishes our staff to reflect the diversity of society and thus welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background.

The deadline for the application is 24 November 2021, 23:59 GMT +1.

Applications received after the deadline, or with insufficient documentation or otherwise not complying with the above requirements, may not be considered.

After the expiry of the deadline for applications, the authorized recruitment manager selects applicants for assessment on the advice of the Interview Committee.

You can read about the recruitment process at https://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/ .

If you consider applying from abroad, you may find useful information on how it is to work in Denmark and at UCPH in this links: http://ism.ku.dk , https://www.nyidanmark.dk/en-us/frontpage.htm and https://www.workindenmark.dk/ .

  Further information on the Department is linked at https://www.science.ku.dk/english/about-the-faculty/organisation/ .

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.