Vacancy: PhD stipend - the dynamics of assembly of multi-protein complexes - 14.09.2011

Department of Plant Biology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Life Sciences at University of Copenhagen is offering a PhD scholarship commencing 1 October 2011 or soon thereafter.
 
The application deadline is 1 September 2011.
 
Project description
The cell is a busy place, where supramolecular machines facilitate a diversity of biological tasks. How these machines are assembled within the crowded cellular milieu - where the likelihood of random encounters is low - and how the cellular components are able to find their way to the final destination are central questions in biological sciences. There is an increasing awareness that we have to think in terms of the interactomes as opposed to the classical one-protein-at-a-time approach. In this project we study pathway-specific supramolecular complexes using the model plant Arabidopsis and its primary defense compounds, glucosinolates, which is a powerful model system with extensive ´omics tools available. The project employs targeted and untargeted state-of-the-art protein-protein interaction methodologies to identify interacting proteins and employ advanced bioimaging technology for in vivo validation. First task will be to identify interaction partners for the enzymes in the pathway. The most promising interactions will be confirmed by pulldown or co-immunoprecipitation assays from plant tissues. Knockout mutants will be analyzed to confirm the function in vivo. We expect to gain basic knowledge about the mechanism underlying the dynamics of assembly of multi-protein complexes which is an important step towards understanding how plants defence themselves upon attack.
 
We are seeking a highly motivated and engaged PhD student with a strong background in protein biochemistry or related fields. We expect that you display your full potential through strong drive and discipline throughout the research project.
 
Principal supervisor
Professor Barbara Ann Halkier
E-mail:
Direct Phone: (+45) 3533 3342
Department of Plant Biology and Biotechnology.
 
Job description
Your key tasks as a PhD fellow at LIFE are:

• Manage and carry through your research project
• Take PhD courses
• Write scientific articles and your PhD thesis
• Participate in international congresses
• Stay at a research institution abroad for a few months
• Teach and disseminate your research

Key criteria for the assessment of candidates

• A master´s degree related to the subject area of the project
• The grade point average achieved
• Professional qualifications relevant to the PhD programme
• Previous publications
• Relevant work experience
• Other professional activities
• Language skills
• Interpersonal skills
• Marks obtained during the first year of study on the master programme (only relevant for applicants applying for a 4-year scholarship).

Formal requirements
The positions are available for a 3-year period for applicants holding a relevant master*s degree or for a 4-year period for applicants who are already enrolled or are accepted to be enrolled at one of the faculty´ master´ programmes.
At the time of commencement, applicants for the 4-year period must have approximately one year of study remaining before graduating from their MSc programme.
 
The successful applicant of the PhD scholarship must pass an enrolment in the LIFE Graduate School before the faculty can finish the letter of employment.
Graduate School of Faculty of Life Sciences, LIFE strives to give our students the best international career prospects within our main research areas.
 
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 post is covered by the Protocol on Job Structure.
 
Application Procedure
Apply by clicking "Appy online"below the announcement at

http://www.ku.dk/stillinger/vip/ 

Applications - in English - must include:

• Cover Letter, stating which PhD project you are applying for and detailing your motivation and background for applying for the specific PhD project.
• CV
• Diploma and transcripts of records
• Other information for consideration, e.g. list of publications (if any), peer reviewed and other
• Personal Recommendations
• A maximum of 3 relevant scientific works which the applicant wishes to be included in the assessment.
  

The applicant will be assessed according to the Ministry of Science Technology and Innovation Executive Order no 284 of 25. April 2008.
 
By the end of 30 September 2011, all applicants will have received information regarding the evaluation of their application. Receipt of the application will not be acknowledged.
 
The application must be received no later than 1 September 2011. Applications received later than this date will not be considered.
 
Questions
For specific information about the PhD scholarship, please contact the principal supervisor.
 
General information about PhD programmes is available at www.LIFE.ku.dk/LIFEphd.
 

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.