Postdoc position in microbiology

If you have a PhD in microbiology and would like to work as a Postdoc at an interdisciplinary university - take a look at the opportunity here. The start day is March 1, 2025. The position is time-limited for approximately 2.5 years with possibility to seek extension if there is a good match.

You will become part of a research group where we care for each other and make a deed of everyone thriving both individually and in the group. You will work in the research group of associate professor Fatima AlZahra’a Alatraktchi in close collaboration with Professor Johnny T. Ottesen and his group in mathematical modeling. Quorum sensing is a mechanism of communication between bacteria used to coordinate synchronized cooperative behaviour at a population level. This project is about which mechanisms controls the progression of the bacterial community and to understand why this may drive the community in different directions. You can read more about the project here

Roskilde University is located close to Copenhagen with good train connections (30 min. from CPH central station).

Responsibilities and tasks
Your main task will be to conduct research related to the field of microbiology.
You are expected to be dedicated to laboratory work and that you work well independently and can follow guidelines from your supervisor and implement protocols without further assistance. You are accurate and able to run repetitive protocols and troubleshoot details. You are also expected to be able to think out-of-the-box and help developing new ways to overcome challenges in the research.
You are also expected to in a limited extend to mentor younger students within the focus of the research project or contribute to undergraduate teaching.

Qualifications

• Applicants must hold a PhD or equivalent years of experience within microbiology, bacteriology or similar
• Experimental experience with methods like qPCR, bacterial culture techniques and phenotypic characterization is essential
• Knowledge with behavioural social dynamics of bacteria is a big advantage
• Excellent written and oral English language communication skills
• Highly organized with strong attention to details and a focus on quality results

Assessment
In the assessment of the candidates, consideration will be given to:

• ability to be find creative ways of solving challenges
• eagerness to gain knowledge in new fields

About the department
Department of Science and Environment is one of four departments at Roskilde University. The Department conducts basic and applied research within mathematics, medical biology, physics, molecular biology, environmental sciences, and chemistry. Bachelor and Master programs are offered within these areas. Research and education within the fields takes place in a collaborative and interdisciplinary university environment also spanning collaboration with the other departments covering social sciences and humanities where relevant. The department is organised in four Sections comprising the research and education activities.

About the Molecular & Medical Biology Section at the department
The Molecular & Medical Biology Section conducts research in basic and translational science of molecular biology and biomedical problems. Common to all activities is an interest in cellular signaling pathways affecting cell appearance, metabolism and behaviour. The research group covers a broad spectrum of biological disciplines and works with bacteria, yeast, insect and mammalian cells as model systems. The Molecular & Medical Biology Research Section is located in a modern laboratory building fully equipped to do research in biology and chemistry.
About the Mathematics Section at the department, which will be a close collaborator and co-supervising you.

Mathematics at Roskilde University is broad enough to guarantee a general research-based education in mathematics but focused enough to ensure a strong international research profile with a strong emphasis on unique core activities of relevance for society. Mathematics has a strong focus on developing and applying mathematical models based on dynamical system theory within health and medicine as well as in green and clean technology. Testimonies of this focus are the two interdisciplinary RUC Centers: Center studying the dynamics of transmissible diseases (PandemiX) and Center focusing on human health and disease modeling (COMMAND). Multiples collaborations with the Molecular & Medical Biology Section is part of the COMMAND center and of special interest is an interdisciplinary collaboration on competitive bacterial growth.

Questions
For further information about the postdoc, please contact PI Fatima AlZahra’a, email: [email protected], phone: +45 46743590 or Head of Department Susanne Sørensen, email: [email protected].

Terms of employment
The employment is on full time, 37 hours per week and you will refer to associate professor Fatima AlZahra’a Alatraktchi.The position will be filled according to the Agreement between the Danish Ministry of Finance and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations (AC) and Job Structure for Academic Staff at Universities.

Application procedure
After the deadline for applications the Dean will shortlist applicants for assessment with assistance from the recruitment committee including the chairperson of the assessment committee.

Shortly after the application deadline all applicants will be notified whether or not their application has been selected for assessment.

The shortlisted applicants will be informed about the composition of the assessment committee, and each applicant will be given the opportunity to comment on the composition of the committee and - later on - their assessment.

Once the recruitment process is completed, all applicants will be informed of the outcome of their application.

Application
To apply for the position go to www.ruc.dk/en/job/
Only applications in English are accepted.
Applications must include:
1. Cover letter
2. CV
3. Documentation of education
4. Teaching portfolio (read more about teaching portfolio at Roskilde University here)
5. A complete list of publications
6. A maximum of 5 relevant scientific works that you want included in the assessment
If any of the publications that you want included in the assessment are the result of a joint effort, the extent and the nature of your contribution to each individual work must then be clarified in a co-author statement (find template here)

Please submit your application no later than December 9, 2024.
Material received after this date will not be taken into consideration.

Roskilde University wishes to reflect the diversity of society and welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background.