PhD scholarship in Molecular Microbial Ecology

Short info about job

Detail information about job PhD scholarship in Molecular Microbial Ecology. Terms and conditions vacancy

The PhD scholarship is within the Research Group for Gut Microbiology and Immunology at the National Food Institute, which focusses on effects of diet and dietary components on the microbial population of the gut and derived effects on the host metabolism and immune system.

Responsibilities and tasks The alarming increase of antibiotic resistant bacteria world-wide continues to threaten the future treatment of infections and calls for new approaches to identify novel antibiotic candidates. Most antibiotics currently used are naturally derived from microbes that produce antimicrobial agents to prevent other microbes from growing. One hitherto unexploited resource for antibiotic discovery is the extremely bacteria-rich intestinal tract of mammals.

In this PhD project specific bacterial strains encoding candidate antibiotic proteins identified by novel bioinformatics tools will be isolated and cultured from a vast in-house collection of sample material. The isolated “producer strains” will be systematically tested in small-scale fermentation systems and also heterologous expression systems of the specific genes will be constructed and further developed.

The expected outcome of this PhD project will be a collection of antibiotic producer strains of potential importance for future development of effective antibiotics.

The PhD scholarship is part of a larger DFF financed research project entitled “Novel alternatives to antibiotics by mining human gut microbiome data.”.

Qualifications Candidates should have a master's degree in engineering or a similar degree with an academic level equivalent to the master's degree in engineering.

Approval and EnrolmentThe scholarships for the PhD degree are subject to academic approval, and the candidates will be enrolled in one of the general degree programmes of DTU. For information about the general requirements for enrolment and the general planning of the scholarship studies, please see the DTU PhD Guide.

AssessmentThe successful candidate is expected to have experience in both traditional- and molecular microbiology. Preferably the candidate should also have prior knowledge related to intestinal microbiology and/or antibiotics.

We offerWe offer an interesting and challenging job in an international environment focusing on education, research, scientific advice and innovation, which contribute to enhancing the economy and improving social welfare. We strive for academic excellence, collegial respect and freedom tempered by responsibility. The Technical University of Denmark (DTU) is a leading technical university in northern Europe and benchmarks with the best universities in the world.

Salary and appointment termsThe salary and appointment terms are consistent with the current rules for PhD degree students. The period of employment is 3 years.

Workplace: DTU Lyngby Campus.

Further information Further information may be obtained from Senior Researcher Martin Iain Bahl: Tel. +45 3588 7036, e-mail: [email protected] or Professor Tine Rask Licht: +45 3588 7186, e-mail: [email protected].

You can read more about DTU Food on www.food.dtu.dk/english.

ApplicationPlease submit your online application no later than 15 September 2017.

To view the full announcement and to apply: www.career.dtu.dk