PhD Fellowship in Soil Microbial Ecology: Unraveling Microbial Secrets in Wheat Roots

Are you passionate about delving into the intricate world of soil microbial ecology? Here’s a unique opportunity for a talented and motivated individual to embark on a 3-year PhD journey. The project, part of the INTERACT initiative funded by the Novo Nordisk Foundation, is focused on understanding microbial communities on wheat roots and their vital interactions with the plant and the surrounding soil matrix. If you’re driven by the quest to unlock the mysteries of plant performance and the ecological dynamics of microorganisms, this position might be just what you’re looking for.

Project Details:

• Project Name: INTERACT
• Funding: Collaborative Crop Resilience Program funded by the Novo Nordisk Foundation
• Main Supervisor: Associate Professor Mette Haubjerg Nicolaisen
• Duration: 3 years
• Start Date: 1 January 2024 or as soon as possible

Qualifications:
The candidate will be enrolled in a three-year full-time program within the framework of the regular PhD program (5+3 scheme). To be eligible for this program, you must have:

• Completed a degree program equivalent to a Danish master’s degree in relevant fields such as Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Ecology, Biology, Biochemistry, Bioengineering, or their equivalents.
• Documented experimental experience with bacterial cultivation and functional screening.
• Documented experience with molecular engineering of bacterial strains.
• Documented experimental experience with plant-based systems.
• Documented knowledge and hands-on experience with amplicon sequencing and analysis.
• Fluency in English.

Main Tasks:
As a PhD fellow in this project, your main responsibilities will include:

• Establishing a plant-based system to study microbial interactions in natural soil conditions using a defined Synthetic Community.
• Establishing knock-out mutants and bioreporters to study the impact and expression of phosphorus (P) cycling genes for microbial assembly and plant P nutrition.
• Investigating the molecular background for microbial signaling concerning the expression of microbial P-cycling traits.

Terms of Employment:

• Full-time employment for a maximum of 3 years.
• The position is conditional upon your successful enrollment as a PhD student at the PhD School at the Faculty of SCIENCE, University of Copenhagen.
• 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.

• Fully Funded PhD Position: Investigating Microbial Methane Cycling in Aquatic Ecosystems
• Exciting Postdoctoral Position: Exploring Aquatic Methane Biogeochemistry in Austria
• FG to establish Trust Fund for poor Nigerians – Minister
• Proper soil mgt, friendly ecosystem panacea for sustainable food security, national devt.
• I will not be associated with abandoned projects – UNN VC

Application and Assessment Procedure:
Your application, including all attachments, must be in English and submitted electronically. Please include:

• A one-page motivated letter of application.
• Your motivation for applying for the specific PhD project.
• Curriculum vitae with details about your education, experience, language skills, and other relevant skills.
• Original diplomas for Bachelor of Science or Master of Science and transcripts of records in the original language.
• Publication list if available.
• Reference letters if available.

The deadline for applications is Wednesday, 1 November 2023, 23:59 GMT+1. Late submissions and applications that do not meet the requirements will not be considered.

The application process involves academic assessment by an unbiased expert assessor, after which shortlisted applicants will be notified. Assessments will be based on qualifications and experience in the specified research area and relevant skills.

Contact Information:
For specific information about the PhD fellowship, please contact Principal Supervisor Mette Haubjerg Nicolaisen at meni@plen.ku.dk.

For general information about PhD study at the Faculty of SCIENCE, visit the PhD School’s website: https://www.science.ku.dk/phd/.

The University of Copenhagen encourages applications from all backgrounds and aims to create an inclusive environment. As part of the International Alliance of Research Universities (IARU) and one of Europe’s top-ranking universities, the University of Copenhagen offers a dynamic and ambitious platform for academic and research success.