ER 1 advert

Postdoctoral Fellowship in Soil Microbiology: Biodiversity toolbox.

Implementing molecular tools for soil biodiversity investigation.

 Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen

 ER1, 2 years starting 1. July 2012 to 30 June 2014

 Soil is by far the most species-rich of the Earth´s many microbial habitats with hundreds of thousands of different microbial species in a few grams. Soil will continue to be vital component contributing to Ecosystem services. In this project we will use Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) to explore the bacterial biodiversity and its links with ecosystem services. The project aims to Develop a high throughput analyses toolbox for soil biodiversity and activity -based on cutting-edge molecular technologies that will enable cost-efficient in-depth analyses of the diversity and activity of soil microorganisms and soil microfauna that will be used to help to evaluate ecosystem services that these soils provide.

 The sucessful candidate will develop standardized protocols for soil sampling and isolation of DNA and mRNA, and will develop standardized protocols for sequencing of DNA and cDNA using pyrosequencing and Illumina technologies. The candidate will also establish quantitative molecular tools for analysis of specific bioindicators using Q-PCR.

 The position is funded for 2 years through a recently established "Trainbiodiverse" FP7Marie Curie Initial Training Network. The project will be carried out at Section of Microbiology, Dept. of Biology, University of Copenhagen. The position is to be filled as close to 1 July 2012 as possible.

 Qualifications:

We are looking for an expert bioinformatician with experience in NGS data analysis and analysis of microbial metagenomic data.

  • PhD in, microbiology, molecular biology or similar.
  • Documented experience with high throughput sequencing including pyrosequencing or Ilumina sequencing.
  • Experience of standardised soil sampling and nucleic acid isolation.
  • Documented experience with quantative molecular tools including Q-PCR.
  • Fluency in English.
  • You will be able to engage in teamwork within the group and our collaborators.

 For further information, contact: Tim Evison tevison@bio.ku.dk.  **Please do not send your application to this address.**

 Application:

The application must contain:

  • Motivated letter of application
  • Curriculum vitae
  • List of publications
  • Transcript of university examinations (in English)
  • Contact details of 2 persons for references.

 An assessment committee will evaluate the applications. The applicant will be notified of the composition of the committee. Each applicant will receive the part of the evaluation that concerns her/him. The main criterion for selection will be the research potential of the applicant.

 Recruiting is in accordance with the rules for Marie Curie Initial Training Networks. Criteria for selection for Marie Curie Initial Training Networks states that post doctoral candidates must either be in position of a doctoral degree or have at least 4 years of full-time equivalent research experience and that in both cases they should have less than 5 years of full-time research experience.

 At the time of selection by the host organisation, researchers must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in Denmark for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to their recruitment. Short stays, such as holidays, are not taken into account.

 Terms of appointment and payment are in accordance with the agreement between the Ministry of Finance and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations (AC). For post docs the salary is based on seniority and is currently between DKK 31.400 and DKK 33.000 plus pension contribution and the possibility to negotiate further supplement.

 A significant mobility and familial status allowance will also be included in remuneration for the position.

Eligibility criteria of Marie Curie Initial Training Networks apply. Only applicants who comply with these conditions will be considered. Details can be found on www.trainbiodiverse.com/eligibility-criteria.

 Applications should be received online by using the link below no later than May 15th, 2012. Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.

 Apply online

 The University of Copenhagen wishes to reflect the diversity of society and welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of gender or personal background.