Three PhD fellowships in plant immunity

Dept. of Plant and Environmental Sciences invites applicants for PhD fellowships in studies of plant immunity. Start date is Oct. 1, 2022 or as soon as possible thereafter.

The projects
The projects are part of the research project “PlantsGoImmune”, lead by Professor Hans Thordal-Christensen and financed by Novo Nordisk Fonden.

Plants have a highly complex immune system where recognition of pathogens activates signalling cascades to trigger immune responses. Using the powdery mildew fungus, we have uncovered that membrane trafficking processes in the plant cell are essential for building immune structures at the site of invasion. Alternatively, the attacked plant cell can undergo a programmed cell death reaction that stops this pathogen. Meanwhile, pathogens secrete effector proteins that target and counteract these immune responses.

The three projects aim to generate more insight in these processes to allow us to exploit them in sustainable disease control.

Who are we looking for?
We are looking for highly dedicated and enthusiastic candidates with interests, insight and experience in the fields of molecular biology, genetics, cell biology and host-microbe interaction. We welcome applicants with background from plant, microbial, animal and human molecular biology, cell biology, genetics, biochemistry etc.

Our group and research - and what do we offer?
In the Dept. of Plant and Environmental Sciences our group of appr. 15 scientists is highly experienced in advanced genetic, molecular and cellular studies of plant immune responses. We have access to advanced infrastructure and equipment required for such studies. We are affiliated in the Dept. of Plant and Environmental Sciences at Frederiksberg Campus of University of Copenhagen together with 500 scientists engaged in related research fields (https://plen.ku.dk/english/ ). Thus, we offer creative and stimulating working conditions in a dynamic and international research environment.

Principal supervisor is Professor Hans Thordal-Christensen, [email protected] , +45 33353443.

The PhD programme

Formal qualifications needed for the PhD programme
To be eligible for the 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 projects. 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.

Terms of appointment and payment accord to the agreement between the Danish Ministry of Taxation and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State. The position is covered by the Protocol on Job Structure.

Responsibilities and tasks in the 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

• MSc degree from related programme
• Professional qualifications relevant to the PhD project
• Relevant publications
• Relevant work experience
• Other relevant professional activities
• Curious mind-set with a strong interest in molecular and cell 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: 

Application deadline

The deadline for applications is Sunday 28th of August, 2022, 23:59 GMT +2.

We reserve the right not to consider material received after the deadline, and not to consider applications that do not fulfill 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, and the assessor will conclude whether each applicant is qualified. Next, the assessed applicants will have the opportunity to comment on their assessment. You can read about the recruitment process at https://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/ .

Interviews with selected candidates are expected to be held in week 37 + 38 September 2022. 

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. 

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.