Research assistant position in glucosinolate transporter biology

A 6-month research assistant position is available at the Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences. The research assistant will be financed by a grant from the Villum Foundation to Professor Barbara Ann Halkier. The position is open from 1 October 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter.

Project background
The VILLUM Investigator project has focus on Plant Transportomics. Transport of metabolites across cellular borders is essential for plant fitness and survival and has proven important in controlling key quality traits in agriculture. Yet, the function of thousands of transporters is largely unknown. As a unconventional idea we use plant extract as substrates. The project aims at creating a first-of-its-kind transportomics database that includes substrate specificity of every transporter in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana, thale cress. Moreover, the chemical language of plants will be decoded by mapping the metabolites exuded and the transporters present at the root during stress conditions when intense communication occurs. The knowledge gained and molecular tools generated will have application in sustainable agriculture.

Job description
Glucosinolates in Arabidopsis will be used as a model to elucidate the molecular mechanisms governing the transport of defence metabolites from their sites of synthesis to the rhizosphere. This specific project aims to investigate the route of glucosinolate rhizosecretion and its role in plant communication.

Who are we looking for?
We are seeking a highly motivated candidate who will take initiative and responsibility, work independently and thrive in a collaborative environment. The candidate we are looking for has the following competencies and experience:

• Experience with Arabidopsis thaliana, plant specialized metabolism, or membrane transporters
• Experience in plant metabolite extraction and analysis, preferably using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry
• Experience in integration of multi-omics data
• You have a MSc in biotechnology or related sciences
• You embrace technological challenges
• Excellent English skills, written and spoken.
• Good dissemination skills for internal talks and external community via conferences and publications.

Practical experience with the following techniques is favored but not a necessity

• Analysis of glucosinolates, root exudates, or other plant specialized metabolites
• Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and non-targeted metabolomics
• MS/MS-based metabolite annotation and multivariate data analysis

The position may also include performance of other duties.

Further information on the Department is linked at https://plen.ku.dk/.

The University wishes our staff to reflect the diversity of society and thus welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background.

Terms of employment
The position is covered by the Memorandum on Job Structure for Academic Staff.

Terms of appointment and payment accord to the agreement between the Ministry of Finance and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State.

Negotiation for salary supplement is possible.

When you will be affiliated with the University of Copenhagen or otherwise have access to their research, you may be required to undergo a background screening. The purpose is to protect the security and research integrity of the University of Copenhagen.

Questions
For further information about the position please contact Professor Barbara Ann Halkier, bah@plen.ku.dk, ph: +45 35333342

Application
The application, in English, must be submitted electronically by clicking APPLY NOW below.

Please include

• Curriculum vitae
• Diploma and transcripts of records (BSc and MSc)
• Publication list

The deadline for applications is 30 August 2026, 23:59 GMT +2.

After the expiry of the deadline for applications, the authorized recruitment manager selects applicants for assessment on the advice of the Interview Committee.

You can read about the recruitment process at https://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/.

Interviews will be held in mid-september 2026.