Vacancy: Post doc within Plant Metabolic Engineering and Biochemistry - 17.11.2011

Department of Plant Biology and Biotechnology wishes to appoint a post doc within Plant Metabolic Engineering and Biochemistry for 2 years, from 1 January 2012 until 31 December 2013. 
 
Project description

The post doc´s duties will include research within Plant Metabolic Engineering and Biochemistry. The post doc will join a newly started research project with the aim of transforming moss (Physcomitrella patents) into an efficient producer of thapsigargin and related sesquiterpenes (see our homepage). The main task of the post doc is to investigate and optimise the terpenoid production in moss in order to establish a well-defined production strain.
 
The research group comprises of two scientific staff and four PhD students at the Faculty of Life Sciences, of which two of the PhD students are currently working on optimization of moss. The project is conducted in collaboration with Professor Søren Brøgger Christensen from the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, and Professor Poul Nissen from University of Aarhus.
 
The position will include co-supervision of two PhD students also working on the research project. Additionally the position may include teaching to a limited extent.
 
The appointee should have qualifications within the following areas: 

 

• A PhD degree or similar in plant biochemistry and biotechnology or related areas.
• In-depth knowledge of transformation and molecular engineering of moss.
• Knowledge within moss biochemistry, physiology and development.
• Biochemical characterization of plant pathways.
• Plant molecular genetics and bioinformatics with relation to utilization of the tools for gene discovery.
• Chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques, in particularly HPLC-MS and GC-MS.

The position is funded by The Danish Council for Strategic Research.

 

Qualification requirements
In connection with the appointment to the position special importance will be attached to the applicant having the professional and personal qualifications stated below:

• Documented scientific qualifications such as a PhD or equivalent in relation to the above subject areas.
• Fluency in English. LIFE generally encourages employees who do not speak Danish to acquire a working knowledge of the language.
• Solid expertise in molecular biology and biochemistry, in particular regarding recombinant protein expression strategies and biochemical characterizations of isolated enzymes.
• Experience with cloning, expression and biochemical analysis of membrane proteins.
• Excellent innovative technology and methodology development record.
  Good scientific publication record.
• Integrity, enthusiasm, motivation, flexibility, confidence and outstanding collaboration skills.
• The post doc is also required to be enterprising and to possess good interpersonal skills.

 

Terms of employment
The position will be filled according to the Agreement between the Danish Ministry of Finance and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. The position is covered by the Protocol on Job Structure.
Applications will be assessed according to the Ministry of Science Technology and Innovation Executive Order no 284 of 25. April 2008. Read more about the recruitment process at LIFE here.
 
The University of Copenhagen welcomes applications from suitably qualified candidates regardless of age, gender, race, religion or ethnic background.
 
Questions
For further information about the post, please contact project manager Associate Professor Henrik Toft Simonsen on e-mail: .
 
Homepage: http://www.plbio.life.ku.dk/English/Sections/plchem/Research/NaturalProducts/Terpenoids.aspx and www.spotlight.ku.dk
 
Potential applicants from outside Denmark will find information about life in Denmark (taxation, healthcare etc) at http://ism.ku.dk/.
 
Application
Apply by clicking "Appy online" below the announcement at

http://www.ku.dk/stillinger/vip/ 

 
Applications - in English - must include: 

• Cover letter/letter of commitment.
• CV with documentation of education.
• A complete list of publications.
• A maximum of 10 relevant scientific works which the applicant wishes to be included in the assessment.
• Documentation for additional research qualifications.
• Teaching portfolio
• Participation in development of educations and seminars.
• Development of educational material.
• Experience with examination and/or censorship.
   

Please submit your application no later than 6 December 2011.
 
Only electronic applications are accepted.

 

 
The Faculty of Life Sciences is one of Europe´s leading university environments in the areas of food, health, plants, biotechnology, natural resources, the environment and related academic areas.

Our research and degree programmes are centred on knowledge and tools that can help secure a brighter future for humans, animals and plants.

 

Read more about The Faculty of Life Sciences at www.life.ku.dk.