PhD scholarship in Microbial chemical ecology and synthetic biology - DTU Bioengineering

We are seeking a highly motivated PhD student to advance our understanding of secondary-metabolite-based regulatory networks within rhizobiomes. In this interdisciplinary project, you will have the opportunity to use cutting-edge autofluorescence-based microscopy to monitor optical changes in bacteria, providing a non-invasive way to assess secondary metabolite responses. You will connect these observations to transcriptional and chemical profiles in both individual bacterial isolates, synthetic communities and communities associated with plant roots. In combination, your work will directly advance our understanding of secondary metabolites as potential master regulators of rhizosphere health and how complex networks of secondary metabolites may affect soil health and plant productivity.

You will become an integrated part of the research groups of Associate Professor Lars Behrendt and Professor Lars Jelsbak. The group of Behrendt explores the responses of individual and communities of microorganisms in relation to environmental change, with a specific focus on method development (www.Behrendtlab.com). The group of Jelsbak works on many aspects of soil/rhizosphere microbial ecology, with a specific focus on microbial secondary metabolites, their roles and possible use in biocontrol. The position is also integrated in the Center for Excellence on Microbial Secondary Metabolites (http://www.cemist.dtu.dk) headed by Professor Lone Gram, and you will have many opportunities to collaborate with other microbiologist, chemists, and bioinformaticians. We offer creative and stimulating working conditions in a dynamic and international research environment, with recently renovated laboratory facilities and state of the art equipment for high-content imaging, bacterial molecular research and analytical chemistry.

Responsibilities and qualifications
You are enthusiastic and self-motivated with a background in microbiology, biophysics, engineering, or natural product chemistry, and a strong interest in bacterial interactions and/or secondary metabolites. You are passionate about exploring the chemical ecology of microbiomes, with a particular focus on how secondary metabolites facilitate microbial interactions in the rhizosphere. You are excited by the opportunity to leverage state-of-the-art tools to investigate fundamental questions about the role and function of secondary metabolites within microbiomes.

The role requires strong organizational skills, a structured approach to work, and a collaborative spirit. You will enjoy engaging with a multidisciplinary team, including PhD students and postdocs, and contribute to a positive team environment. A good sense of humor is always appreciated!

Preferred qualifications include experience in one or more of the following areas:

• Quantitative image analysis
• Network analysis
• Microbial molecular biology
• Bioinformatics (transcriptomics, metagenomics)
• Metabolomics
• Wet-lab experimental work with bacteria

Good English language skills are essential. The main criterion for selection will be the research potential of the applicant, including writing skills.

You must have a two-year master's degree (120 ECTS points) or a similar degree with an academic level equivalent to a two-year master's degree.

Approval and Enrolment  
The scholarship for the PhD degree is subject to academic approval, and the candidate will be enrolled in one of the general degree programmes at DTU. For information about our enrolment requirements and the general planning of the PhD study programme, please see DTU's rules for the PhD education . 

Assessment
The assessment of the candidate will be made by Associate Professor Lars Behrendt, Professor Lars Jelsbak and Professor Lone Gram.

We offer
DTU is a leading technical university globally recognized for the excellence of its research, education, innovation and scientific advice. We offer a rewarding and challenging job in an international environment. We strive for academic excellence in an environment characterized by collegial respect and academic freedom tempered by responsibility.

Salary and appointment terms 
The appointment will be based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. The allowance will be agreed upon with the relevant union. The period of employment is 3 years.

You can read more about career paths at DTU here http://www.dtu.dk/english/about/job-and-career/working-at-dtu/career-paths.

Further information  
Further information may be obtained from Professor Lars Jelsbak, DTU Bioengineering. [email protected]  

If you are applying from abroad, you may find useful information on working in Denmark and at DTU at DTU – Moving to Denmark . Furthermore, you have the option of joining our monthly free seminar “PhD relocation to Denmark and startup “Zoom” seminar ” for all questions regarding the practical matters of moving to Denmark and working as a PhD at DTU. 

Application procedure 
Your complete online application must be submitted no later than 13 December 2024 (23:59 Danish time).

Applications must be submitted as one PDF file containing all materials to be given consideration. To apply, please open the link "Apply now", fill out the online application form, and attach all your materials in English in one PDF file . The file must include:

• A letter motivating the application (cover letter)
• Curriculum vitae 
• Grade transcripts and BSc/MSc diploma (in English) including official description of grading scale

You may apply prior to ob­tai­ning your master's degree but cannot begin before having received it. 

Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.

All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, disability, race, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply. As DTU works with research in critical technology, which is subject to special rules for security and export control, open-source background checks may be conducted on qualified candidates for the position.

The Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine (DTU Bioengineering) is an international leader in the areas of biotechnology and biomedicine. Our engineering approach to all aspects of biotechnology and biomedicine positions us as a valuable player with unique competences in a growing bio-based economy and with health systems transforming towards personalized medicine. We have a clear focus on the needs in the life science industry and point towards innovation, new businesses, and scientific services for the benefit of society. The department has extensive collaborations with national and international research units and industry. DTU Bioengineering has approx. 400 employees, of which 2/3 are scientific staff. The department is located at DTU Lyngby Campus. You can read more about “the Department” at www.bioengineering.dtu.dk

The Center for Microbial Secondary Metabolites is a Center of Excellence funded by the Danish National Research Foundation. The Center started on the 1st of January 2018 and was recently extended running until 2028. The Center is based at the Technical University of Denmark and hosted by Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine (DTU Bioengineering) and is led by Professor Lone Gram. Three DTU departments and 12 faculty participate in the Center, and 15 PhD students and postdocs are currently hired by CeMiSt. You can read more at www.cemist.dtu.dk  

Technology for people
DTU develops technology for people. With our international elite research and study programmes, we are helping to create a better world and to solve the global challenges formulated in the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Hans Christian Ørsted founded DTU in 1829 with a clear mission to develop and create value using science and engineering to benefit society. That mission lives on today. DTU has 13,500 students and 6,000 employees. We work in an international atmosphere and have an inclusive, evolving, and informal working environment. DTU has campuses in all parts of Denmark and in Greenland, and we collaborate with the best universities around the world.