Apply For PhD Scholarship in Cell Wall biology @ University of Copenhagen
Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science at University of Copenhagen is offering a PhD scholarship in Cell Wall biology commencing 1 November 2016 or as soon as possible thereafter.
Description of the scientific environment
The Glycosection at PLEN is engaged in plant glycobiology research, both fundamental aspects such as polysaccharide biosynthesis and cell wall diversity and evolution; and applied aspects like food ingreedients and biomaterials. The section maintains a comprehensive carbohydrate analytical platform and has access to the wider analytical infrastructure of PLEN.
Project description
The PhD-project is part of a multipartner, international project named ASSEMBLY. We will develop biocomposites that are directly inspired by how plants construct their walls. The project aims at reverse engineering the cell wall and thus to build new biocomposites.
In the PhD-project we will investigate the use of enzymes and non-catalytic proteins to mediate cell wall disassembly. Some of these are selected among proteins used by plants for cell expansion and wall turnover; other proteins will be selected from microbial sources. Cloning, heterologous expression and enzymology are key disciplines.
Principal supervisor is Professor Peter Ulvskov, [email protected], Department of Plant
and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen.Co-supervisor is professor Daniel Cosgrove at Penn State Univ. A 3-6 month stay at Penn State is part of the project.
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 molecular biology, biochemistry, biotechnology or related field with good results and good English skills. As criteria for the assessment of your qualifications emphasis will also be laid on previous publications (if any) and relevant work experience.
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.
The starting salary is currently at a minimum DKK 309,109 including annual supplement (+ pension up to DKK 42,699). Negotiation for salary supplement is possible.
Application Procedure
The application, in English, must be submitted electronically by clicking APPLY NOW below.
Please include
- Cover Letter that explicitly address the subject matter of the project and documents experimental experience in at least two of the following areas: enzymology, molecular biology, polysaccharide biochemistry or biomaterial science.
- CV
- Diploma and transcripts of records (BSc and MSc)
- List of publications (if any),
- Full contact details (Name, address, telephone & email) of 1-3 professional referees
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 24 July 2016, 23:59 GMT +1. Applications received after the deadline for applications will 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. 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 profile and skill set of the applicant. 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 http://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/.
Questions
For specific information about the PhD scholarship, please contact the principal supervisor Prof. Peter Ulvskov, [email protected], Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen.
