PhD Fellowship in Oral Microbiology – Investigating Biofilms in the Oral Cavity

Introduction:
The University of Copenhagen offers a PhD fellowship in Oral Microbiology with a starting date of 1 February 2024 or as agreed upon. This research project aims to explore the potential of using the oral cavity as a human in-vivo model system for studying biofilms. Biofilms play a central role in numerous oral and systemic diseases, and this study will assess the feasibility of utilizing the oral cavity as a model for understanding biofilm dynamics.

Project Description:
The project is a collaborative effort involving three departments at the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen. Biofilms are at the core of various oral and systemic diseases, but the challenge in biofilm research lies in obtaining clinical samples. As a result, biofilms are often studied in vitro or using animal models. This project seeks to introduce the oral cavity as a novel in-vivo model system for the study of biofilms, enabling the translation of findings into clinical applications.

The project specifically aims to:

1. Identify bacterial genes affected during the initiation and resolution of oral inflammation and sugar stress.
2. Investigate if these genes can serve as biomarkers for different disease trajectories of gingivitis, periodontitis, and dental caries.
3. Validate the generality of the identified genes in datasets of non-oral origin.

This study will employ advanced computational biology and bioinformatics tools to analyze the oral microbiota in saliva and oral biofilm samples collected from large clinical trials. It will also compare oral metagenomes with data from non-oral samples to better understand the adaptability of oral biofilms to changing environmental conditions.

Supervision:
The project will be supervised by a team of experts:

• Primary supervisor: Professor, Dr. Odont, PhD, DDS Daniel Midjord-Belstrøm, Section for Clinical Oral Microbiology, Department of Odontology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen.
• Co-supervisor: Professor, Dr. Tech, Michael Givskov, Costerton Biofilm Center, Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen.
• Co-supervisor: Associate Professor, PhD, Martin Sikora, Globe Institute, Lundbeck Foundation for GeoGenetics Centre, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen.
• Co-supervisor: Associate Professor, PhD, Hannes Schroeder, Globe Institute, Lundbeck Foundation for GeoGenetics Centre, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen.

Key Tasks and Responsibilities:
As a PhD student, you will have the following key responsibilities:

• Carry out an independent research project under supervision.
• Complete PhD courses or equivalent education (around 30 ECTS points).
• Engage in active research environments and potentially participate in research teams at other institutions.
• Gain experience in teaching or knowledge dissemination related to your research.
• Contribute to teaching and knowledge dissemination.
• Write a PhD thesis based on your research project.

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Qualifications and Requirements:
Applicants should meet the following qualifications:

• Hold a master’s degree in molecular biology, bioinformatics, data science, or odontology.
• Proficient in programming, data analysis, and visualization (Python or similar).
• Experience with statistical analyses of climate data, climate model output, or observational datasets is advantageous.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to work as part of a team.
• Proficiency in English, including good communication skills.

Terms of Employment:
The PhD fellowship is full-time (37 working hours per week on average) and for a duration of 3 years. The starting date is 1 February 2024, or as agreed upon. Successful enrollment as a PhD student at the Graduate School at the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, is required.

Application Deadline:
The deadline for applications is Sunday, 5 November 2023, 23:59 pm CET.

Contact:
For further information about the position, please contact Professor Daniel Midjord-Belstrøm at dbel@sund.ku.dk.

Application Procedure:
Applications must be submitted electronically through the university’s application portal. The application should include the following documents in PDF format:

• Motivated letter of application (max. one page).
• CV detailing education, experience, language skills, and other relevant skills.
• Certified copy of the original Master of Science diploma and transcript of records in the original language, along with an authorized English translation if issued in a language other than English or Danish.
• Publication list, if available.

Further Information:
You can find more information about the recruitment process here.

The University of Copenhagen aims to reflect the surrounding community and encourages all individuals, regardless of personal background, to apply for the position.

About the University:
The University of Copenhagen, part of the International Alliance of Research Universities (IARU) and one of Europe’s top-ranking universities, is dedicated to promoting research and teaching of the highest international standards. The university offers a dynamic and inclusive work environment, setting the stage for successful academic careers.