Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences
University of Copenhagen
The Department of Veterinary Clinical and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences at University of Copenhagen are offering a PhD Scholarship to commence as soon as possible. The position is limited to a 3 years period.
Information about the department can be found at http://ikvh.ku.dk/english/
This PhD project is part of the larger MetaPig project designed to elucidate how modulations of the pig gut microbiota may increase feed efficiency and gut health. The PhD project will focus on identification of host genetic factors shaping the microbiota diversity and on genetic mechanisms and interactions between host and microbiota of importance for gut health and nutrient absorption. The project comprises two major parts. Both exploit a large cohort of pigs in which individual feed efficiency has been registered and the microbiota has been characterized via microbiome sequencing. One part is focused on next-generation RNA sequencing and Fluidigm qPCR to characterize the gut epithelium transcriptome profile. Based on this data, gene co-expression network analysis will be carried out to identify genes and major signaling pathways of importance for microbiota assembly, feed efficiency and gut health. Another part focuses on a genome wide association study to identify loci in the pig genome with effect on gut epithelium gene expression, microbiota composition, feed efficiency and gut health.
The candidate will primarily focus on:
• Transcriptome and genome analysis
• GWAS
• RNA and DNA sequence analysis, bioinformatics
• Teaching, scientific writing, information dissemination
Required qualifications
• A master’s in veterinary science, molecular biology or a similar subject area related to the project
• Prior experience in GWAS and bioinformatics
• Knowledge in animal genetics and microbiome analysis
• Motivation and excellent scientific skills are essential
• Good communication skills both oral and written
• Fluency in English
• Preferably, scientific publications documenting the above mentioned qualifications
The successful candidate is also required to be enterprising and to possess good interpersonal skills.
It is a prerequisite that the PhD candidate is enrolled as PhD Student at the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, according to the rules stipulated in “Bekendtgørelse nr. 18 af 14. januar 2008 om ph.d.-graden.“
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’s master’s 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.
Salary and other terms and conditions of appointment are set in accordance with the Agreement between the Ministry of Finance and AC (Danish Confederation of Professional Associations) or other relevant professional organisations. The position is covered by the Job Structure for Academic Staff at Universities (2013).
For further information contact Associate Professor Peter Karlskov-Mortensen, pkm@sund.ku.dk.
Foreign applicants may find the following links useful: www.ism.ku.dk (International Staff Mobility) and www.workingconditions.ku.dk.
The application must be submitted in English, by clicking on “Apply online” below, and must include the following:
• Cover Letter 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 (if any)
• A maximum of 3 relevant scientific works which the applicant wishes to be included in the assessment.
The application will be assessed according to the Ministerial Order no. 242 of 13 March 2012 on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Universities.
The University of Copenhagen encourages all interested in this post to apply.
Please submit the application with the required attachments by clicking on “Apply online” below. Only online applications will be accepted. The closing date for applications is 23.59pm, Saturday 15 August 2015.
This opportunity has expired. It was originally published here:
http://jobportal.ku.dk/phd/?show=742236