Postdoc position in Microbiology

The Department of Food Science, Section of Microbiology, Gut Health, and Fermentation, invites applicants for a 2-year postdoc position in microbial community interactions. The fellowship will explore innovative approaches to reducing plant loss by using bacterial communities to enhance product longevity.

The PhD position is part of a research project funded by the Novo Nordisk Foundation: ‘BIOBARRIER: Bacterial Communities to Reduce Plant Food Loss.’

https://researchleaderprogramme.com/recipients/henriette-lyng-roder/

The position is to be filled 15 January 2025 or as soon as possible thereafter.

The project

This project aims to understand and utilize the potential of multispecies bacterial communities to enhance plant protection and improve crop resilience. We will explore how bacterial competition, such as space colonization, nutrient uptake, and protective compound secretion, contributes to crop resilience. By filling the knowledge gap in multispecies protection, we hope to optimize beneficial microbial interactions, leading to more sustainable agricultural practices and longer shelf-life for food products. We will be working with potatoes as the initial crop model.

The postdoc will lead efforts to design and optimize multispecies bacterial communities for enhanced bioprotection against plant pathogens. Responsibilities include constructing and screening bacterial communities from UCPH-FOOD’s BioBank and plant isolates, validating their effectiveness in preventing soft rot, and fine-tuning species ratios and environmental conditions for stable protection. The role also involves introducing new strains to enhance bioprotective effects through experimental evolution and using metagenomics to assess the impact on native potato microbiomes. This position offers an opportunity to contribute to innovative solutions in sustainable agriculture and food protection.

The postdoc’s duties will also include teaching and supervising student projects. The post may also include performing other duties in the research group.

Section of Microbiology, Gut Health, and Fermentation

Section of Microbiology, Gut Health, and Fermentation is located in Frederiksberg, Copenhagen, Denmark. The section currently has ~50 members and offers an open, supportive environment for everyone to thrive. There will be a strong focus on work-life balance. At both department and university levels, yearly social and career-relevant events target Postdocs and you will also be part of our social events in the section. As a group member, you will participate in our biweekly section meetings, where you can present your work in a safe environment and engage in scientific discussions relevant to our field.

In the section, we work with a range of topics from gut health, food fermentation and starter culture functionality, food preservation, and spoilage, including biocontrol, microbial food safety and hygiene, gut microflora and probiotics in humans and animals, and microbiological quality assurance. The department hosts comprehensive infrastructure, well-equipped facilities, and extensive experience in community interactions and colloid research for food properties over decades.

Further information about the Department can be found at: https://www.science.ku.dk/english/about-the-faculty/organisation/  

Key Responsibilities

As a postdoc in our group, you are expected to:

• Design and perform independent research in multispecies interactions.
• Collaborate with other researchers and laboratory staff on ongoing projects.
• Analyze and interpret experimental data and prepare manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed journals.
• Maintain detailed and accurate records of experiments and procedures.
• Present research findings at internal meetings, seminars, and scientific conferences.
• Stay updated with relevant scientific literature and advancements in the field.

Qualifications

We are looking for a highly motivated scientist with the following key qualifications:

• PhD or equivalent degree in biology, bioinformatics, biotechnology, molecular biology or microbiology.
• Strong experience with cultivation and analysis of bacterial communities, in vitro biofilm models and confocal microscopy analysis of bacterial communities, genetic engineering of bacteria and fluorescence-based reporter systems,

 Fluorescent In Situ Hybridization (FISH) and Multiplex PCR

• Experience with bioinformatic analyses of bacterial genomes and meta-genomes

• Experience with evolution experiments and flow cytometry is a benefit

• Experience with doing data analysis in R- and/or Python.
• Good interpersonal skills, and experience with collaborative work in larger international teams.
• Enthusiastic and self-motivated
• Excellent English writing and speaking abilities.

Questions

For further information about the postdoc position, please contact Tenure Track Assistant Professor Henriette Lyng Røder h.lyng.roeder@food.ku.dk

Foreign applicants may find this link useful: www.ism.ku.dk (International Staff Mobility).

Place of employment

The place of employment is at the Department of Food Science (https://food.ku.dk/), University of Copenhagen. We offer stimulating working conditions in a dynamic and international research environment, with enriching scientific discussions, and access to cutting-edge facilities and equipment.

Terms of employment

The employment as postdoc is a full time and fixed-term position for 2 years. The position is open from 15th of January 2025, or as soon as possible thereafter. The position is covered by the Memorandum on Job Structure for Academic Staff.

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

Negotiation for salary supplement is possible.

The application should be in English and must be submitted electronically by clicking APPLY NOW below.

Please include:

• Curriculum vitae
• Diplomas (MSc and PhD degrees or equivalent)
• Motivation / Research statement – description of previous/current research, your research ambitions, and how it relates to the advertised position
• Complete publication list
• Separate reprints of 3 particularly relevant papers
• Up to 3 reference letters

The deadline for applications is 20 October 2024, 23:59 GMT +2.