🎓 Fully Funded PhD Scholarship: Microbial Ecology – University of Copenhagen
đź“š About the Position
The Section of Microbial Ecology and Biotechnology at the University of Copenhagen invites applications for a 3-year PhD Fellowship in Microbial Ecology. The project is funded by the Novo Nordisk Foundation as part of the CropSustaiN program.
🎯 Scholarship Overview
đź”— About the Project
This PhD Microbial Ecology Fellowship aims to elucidate the microbial mechanisms underlying biological nitrification inhibition (BNI) in wheat, focusing on:
- Ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) and archaea (AOA)
- Interactions with root-exuded benzoxazinoids and other BNI compounds
The project will enhance microbial methods for BNI phenotyping and link microbial responses to:
- Plant growth conditions
- Fertilization regimes
- Rhizosphere ecology
🎯 Research Objectives
- Characterize AOA and AOB responses to BNI compounds produced by wheat using controlled growth chamber experiments, microcosm studies, and in vitro assays
- Develop and optimize microbial BNI screening methods, including whole-cell bioreporter assays based on Nitrosomonas europaea and Nitrosospira multiformis
- Investigate effects of plant growth stages and fertilization treatments on BNI expression and microbial activity in the rhizosphere
- Collect and analyze rhizosphere and soil samples to assess microbial community composition and functional gene abundance
- Link microbial responses to wheat genotypes, including lines with and without Leymus racemosus (Lr) chromosome translocation fragments
- Integrate molecular and microbial ecology approaches to support microbial-informed breeding strategies
đź“‹ Main Tasks
- Cultivate and phenotype AOB and AOA in relation to BNI compounds from wheat
- Develop, implement, and optimize microbial BNI assays
- Conduct controlled growth chamber experiments to study BNI expression across wheat genotypes, growth stages, and fertilization conditions
- Analyze microbial community structure and functional genes using amplicon sequencing, qPCR, and metagenomics
- Collaborate with national and international partners in the CropSustaiN project
âś… Qualifications
Required
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Education | MSc in Biotechnology, Biology, Environmental Sciences, or equivalent |
| Research Experience | Minimum 1 year hands-on experience in research |
| Essential Experience | Working with ammonia-oxidizing organisms (AOB or AOA) |
| Language | Fluent in English (oral and written) |
Preferred
- Experience with plant-microbe interactions
- Experience with rhizosphere microbiology
- Ability to work independently and across multiple disciplines
🔬 Research Environment
The Microbial Interactions Group provides:
- Modern laboratories
- Controlled growth chambers
- Sequencing facilities
- Bioreporter platforms
- Collaboration with the Plant Defence Genetics Group
đź’Ľ What They Offer
| Benefit | Details |
|---|---|
| Duration | 3-year full-time PhD fellowship |
| Salary | In accordance with Danish AC agreement |
| Research Environment | Top-ranking university with modern facilities |
| Collaboration | National and international research networks |
| Location | Copenhagen, Denmark |
đź‘Ą Supervision
Principal Supervisor:
Associate Professor Mette Haubjerg Nicolaisen
📧 meni@plen.ku.dk
đź“ž +45 3533 2649
Application Requirements
- Motivated letter of application (max one page)
- Curriculum vitae including education, experience, language skills
- Original diplomas for Bachelor and Master degrees with transcripts
- Authorized English translation if documents not in English or Danish
- Publication list (if any)
đź“ť How to Apply
Your application:
Submit your application in English electronically by clicking APPLY NOW.
After the deadline, qualified applicants will be assessed by an unbiased expert assessor. Assessed applicants will have the opportunity to comment on their assessment.
🚀 APPLY NOWYou will be redirected to the official application portal
