PhD fellow in structure-function analysis of lipid flippases

Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science at University of Copenhagen is offering a PhD scholarship in structure-function analysis of lipid flippases commencing 1 November 2021 or as soon as possible thereafter.

Description of the scientific environment
The project will be carried out in the Biomembranes and Lipid Flippases group, which investigates the transport mechanism, regulation and physiological role of flippases from several organisms, and the effects of their activity on the properties of biological membranes. The group, under the leadership of Ass. Prof. Rosa L. López-Marqués, is highly dynamic and international, with a tradition of incorporating students in different aspects of research, and at the moment consists of 6 members including 3 other PhD students and a technician. The group is embedded in the Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, which includes groups working on different aspects of biotechnology, agriculture and the environment. More information about research in the group and at the department can be found at https://plen.ku.dk/english/research/transport_biology/blf/ and https://plen.ku.dk/english/ .

Project description
P4 ATPases (Lipid flippases) are integral membrane proteins that act as primary transporters translocating specific lipid molecules towards the cytosolic side of biological membranes. This movement affects membrane properties that are essential for correct performance of many cellular processes, making P4 ATPases the target of an increasing number of studies in recent years.  While the relevance of P4 ATPases is unquestionable, many aspects of their functioning are still poorly characterized. The most relevant of these is the mechanism by which the lipid substrate is transported. Recent studies reporting the structural characterization of P4 ATPases have shed some light on this subject. However, how P4 ATPases recognize specific substrates is still unclear. The aim of this project is to obtain knowledge about the mechanism of lipid selection by P4 ATPases using plant proteins as a model. The role of the PhD fellow is to purify and characterize the lipid flippases, both structurally and biochemically, following heterologous expression in S. cerevisiae. Part of the project will be carried out through visits to collaborator groups at Århus University (cryo-EM studies) and Ruhr-University Bochum (reconstitution in artificial membrane systems).

Principal supervisor isAssociate Professor Rosa Laura López Marqués, Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, E-mail [email protected] , Direct Phone: +45 35332602.

Job description
The position is available for a 3-year period and your key tasks as a PhD student at SCIENCE are:

• To manage and carry through your research project
• Attend PhD courses
• Write scientific articles and your PhD thesis
• Teach and disseminate your research
• To stay at an external research institution for a few months, preferably abroad
• Work for the department

Formal requirements
Applicants should hold an MSc degree in biochemistry, biophysics or similar areas with good results, and should demonstrate good English skills. Priority will be given to candidates having any previous relevant experience in heterologous protein expression, work with membrane proteins and/or the use of structural characterization techniques. As criteria for the assessment of your qualifications, emphasis will be laid on previous publications (if any).

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.

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.

Salary range starts at DKK 27,588.59 per month incl. PhD supplement (1 April 2021 level).

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

Please include

• Cover Letter, detailing your motivation and your reflections on any previous experience with areas related to the subject of the position.
• CV, highlighting any involvement in research projects relevant to the position and including a short (4-6 lines) description of these.
• Diploma and transcripts of records (BSc and MSc)
• Other information for consideration, e.g. list of publications (if any)
• 1-3 reference letters (if any)

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

The deadline for applications is 9 August 2021, 23:59 GMT +2.

After the expiry of the deadline for applications, the authorized recruitment manager selects applicants for assessment on the advice of the Interview Committee. Afterwards an assessment committee will be appointed to evaluate the selected applications. The applicants will be notified of the composition of the committee and the final selection of a successful candidate will be made by the Head of Department, based on the recommendations of the assessment committee and the interview committee.

The main criterion for selection will be the research potential of the applicant and the above mentioned skills. The successful candidate will then be requested to formally apply for enrolment as a PhD student at the PhD school of Science. You can read more about the recruitment process at https://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/ .

Questions
For specific information about the PhD scholarship, please contact the principal supervisor Ass. Prof. Rosa L. López Marqués, Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, E mail [email protected] , Direct Phone: +45 35332602].

General information about PhD programmes at SCIENCE is available at https://science.ku.dk/phd .

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.