PhD scholarship in Molecular plant-microbe interactions

We invite applications for a PhD position focused on developing sustainable methods for controlling Pseudomonas syringae

infections, a major plant pathogenic bacterium causing significant economic damage in global agriculture and horticulture. This project aims to move beyond traditional disease management strategies, which often have limited efficacy, and instead develop an innovative approach that utilize bacterial interactions and bacterial gene products to reduce or abolish virulence of the plant pathogen.

You will become an integrated part of the research group of Professor Lars Jelsbak (www.bioengineering.dtu.dk/jelsbak). The group works with several aspects of the microbial-and chemical ecology of plant-microbe and microbe-microbe interactions. The group has a specific focus on plant-beneficial microbes, their secondary metabolites, and the possible use of these as biocontrol, biofertilizers etc for sustainable agriculture.

The research group is in the Section for Microbial and Chemical Ecology, and is associated with the Center for Excellence on Microbial Secondary Metabolites (http://www.cemist.dtu.dk). You will have many opportunities to collaborate with other microbiologist, chemists, and bioinformaticians. We offer creative and stimulating working conditions in a dynamic and international research environment, with recently renovated laboratory facilities and state of the art equipment for bacterial molecular research and analytical chemistry.

Responsibilities and qualifications

We seek an enthusiastic and self-motivated candidate to study plant-microbe interactions, and to develop new sustainable methods for control of plant pathogenic bacteria. You have a background in either microbiology, molecular microbiology or in plant science with an interest in plant-microbe interactions.

You have good knowledge of bacterial physiology, and have hands-on experience with microbiological and biochemical assays in the lab.

In the project, you will screen, isolate and characterize soil- and plant-associated bacteria that express “anti-virulence” activities, and test how these bacteria may limit Pseudomonas syringae

infections in plant experiments. You will furthermore characterize the mode-of-action of the identified “anti-virulence” activities using molecular and biochemical methods. The project is an interdisciplinary project, and you will work closely together with microbiologists and plant pathologists from DTU and Spain. A research stay in Spain during the project can be expected.

You are motivated by the perspectives of finding and using microbial “biosolutions” for a sustainable agriculture. You are excited about both the applied and fundamental science aspects of the project.

You must be ambitious, well organized, structured and enjoy interacting with many different people including PhD students and postdocs. Also, a good sense of humor will be appreciated.

Good English language skills will be required. The main criterion for selection will be the research potential of the applicant, including writing skills.

You must have a two-year master's degree (120 ECTS points) or a similar degree with an academic level equivalent to a two-year master's degree.

Approval and Enrolment

The scholarship for the PhD degree is subject to academic approval, and the candidate will be enrolled in one of the general degree programmes at DTU. For information about our enrolment requirements and the general planning of the PhD study programme, please see DTU's rules for the PhD education
.

Assessment

The assessment of the candidate will be made by Professor Lars Jelsbak and Post Doc Carlos Neftaly Lozano Andrade.

We offer

DTU is a leading technical university globally recognized for the excellence of its research, education, innovation and scientific advice. We offer a rewarding and challenging job in an international environment. We strive for academic excellence in an environment characterized by collegial respect and academic freedom tempered by responsibility.

Salary and appointment terms

The appointment will be based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. The allowance will be agreed upon with the relevant union. The period of employment is 3 years.

You can read more about career paths at DTU here http://www.dtu.dk/english/about/job-and-career/working-at-dtu/career-paths.

Further information

Further information may be obtained from Professor Lars Jelsbak, DTU Bioengineering. lj@bio.dtu.dk

If you are applying from abroad, you may find useful information on working in Denmark and at DTU at DTU – Moving to Denmark
. Furthermore, you have the option of joining our monthly free seminar “PhD relocation to Denmark and startup “Zoom” seminar
” for all questions regarding the practical matters of moving to Denmark and working as a PhD at DTU.

Application procedure

Your complete online application must be submitted no later than 3 February 2025 (23:59 Danish time)

Applications must be submitted as one PDF file
containing all materials to be given consideration. To apply, please open the link "Apply now", fill out the online application form, and attach all your materials in English in one PDF file
. The file must include:

- A letter motivating the application (cover letter)

- Curriculum vitae

- Grade transcripts and BSc/MSc diploma (in English) including official description of grading scale

- Contact information for two academic referees

- A brief summary of your Master’s thesis or equivalent research project.

You may apply prior to obtaining your master's degree but cannot begin before having received it.

Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.

All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, disability, race, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply. As DTU works with research in critical technology, which is subject to special rules for security and export control, open-source background checks may be conducted on qualified candidates for the position.

The Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine
(DTU Bioengineering) is an international leader in the areas of biotechnology and biomedicine. Our engineering approach to all aspects of biotechnology and biomedicine positions us as a valuable player with unique competences in a growing bio-based economy and with health systems transforming towards personalized medicine. We have a clear focus on the needs in the life science industry and point towards innovation, new businesses, and scientific services for the benefit of society. The department has extensive collaborations with national and international research units and industry. DTU Bioengineering has approx. 400 employees, of which 2/3 are scientific staff. The department is located at DTU Lyngby Campus. You can read more about at
www.bioengineering.dtu.dk

Technology for people

DTU develops technology for people. With our international elite research and study programmes, we are helping to create a better world and to solve the global challenges formulated in the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Hans Christian Ørsted founded DTU in 1829 with a clear mission to develop and create value using science and engineering to benefit society. That mission lives on today. DTU has 13,500 students and 6,000 employees. We work in an international atmosphere and have an inclusive, evolving, and informal working environment. DTU has campuses in all parts of Denmark and in Greenland, and we collaborate with the best universities around the world.