PhD Project in Universal growth laws of Viruses of Bacteria

The Niels Bohr Institute
Faculty of SCIENCE

University of Copenhagen

The Niels Bohr Institute invites applicants for a PhD fellowship in biocomplexity. The project is part of the research project “Universal Growth Laws of Viruses of Bacteria”, led by Associate Professor Namiko Mitarai and financed by NERD Program (Novo Nordisk Foundation).

Start date is (expected to be) 01 September 2023 or as soon as possible thereafter.

The project

The project is focused on the viruses infecting bacteria (bacteiophages): they are the drivers of microbial ecology, gene transfer and microbial evolution, and also an ideal in-vivo model system to study the interplay between a virus and its host. We aim to explore the virus development upon infection as a dynamic and stochastic process exhibiting decisions. We are also actively studying the role of phages at the population scale and ecology scale and as pattern formation, to the macroscopic scale of epidemics as it spread in a 2 or 3-dimensional geometry. We have a strong connection between experimental and theoretical research: We develop mathematical and computational models to mimic, suggest and perform experiments on these fascinating systems.

Who are we looking for?

We are looking for a talented, highly motivated and creative scientist who is interested in exploring fundamental questions in the exciting field of the physics of life. Scientists with strong mathematical and computational skills in physics/complex systems who want to extend their skills to biological systems with close collaboration with experimental biology are strongly encouraged to apply. The successful candidates must be imaginative and have the curiosity to drive the project. The candidate must have excellent English skills, both written and oral, and hold a Master's degree in physics, biophysics, quantitative biology, complex systems, or related disciplines. If you are (or are eligible to be) enrolled at one of the faculty’s master programs in physics, it is also an option to be enrolled in the integrated MSc and PhD program (See below).

Our group and research- and what do we offer?

We are part of the Center for Models of Life in the Biocomplexity section at the Niels Bohr Institute, located in Copenhagen. We conduct research on the science of complex phenomena in physics and biology. We engage on topics ranging from networks, non-equilibrium systems, gene regulatory dynamics, virus-host interactions, pattern formation, epidemics, microbial ecology and evolution, development of stem cells. We formulate models based on physical and mathematical principles and study these models with analytical and numerical methods. We also perform experiments on bacteria-phage system in our local laboratory. We have close international collaboration with many labs, for instance in USA, Japan, and India, and expect the successful candidate to visit them. The environment is very exciting and allows fantastic scientific and social interactions with many talented researchers.

Principal supervisor is  Associate Professor Namiko Mitarai, Biocomplexity Section, The Niels Bohr Institute, University of Copenhagen.  E-mail: mitarai@nbi.ku.dk.

The PhD programme:

Depending of your level of education, you can undertake the PhD programme as either:

Option A: A three year full-time study within the framework of the regular PhD programme (5+3 scheme), if you already have an education equivalent to a relevant Danish master’s degree.

Option B: An up to five year full-time study programme within the framework of the integrated MSc and PhD programme (the 3+5 scheme), if you do not have an education equivalent to a relevant Danish master´s degree – but you have an education equivalent to a Danish bachelors´s degree.

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Option A: Getting into a position on the regular PhD programme

Qualifications needed for the regular programme
To be eligible for the regular PhD programme, you must have completed a degree programme, equivalent to a Danish master’s degree (180 ECTS/3 FTE BSc + 120 ECTS/2 FTE MSc) related to the subject area of the project, e.g. Physics, complex systems, quantitative biology or a related field. For information of eligibility of completed programmes, see General assessments for specific countries and Assessment database.

Terms of employment in the regular programme

Employment as PhD fellow is full time and for maximum 3 years.

Employment is conditional upon your successful enrolment as a PhD student at the PhD School at the Faculty of SCIENCE, University of Copenhagen. This requires submission and acceptance of an application for the specific project formulated by the applicant.

The terms of employment and salary are in accordance to the agreement between the Ministry of Finance and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State (AC). The position is covered by the Protocol on Job Structure.

Option B: Getting into a position on the integrated MSc and PhD programme

Qualifications needed for the integrated MSc and PhD programme

If you do not have an education equivalent to a relevant Danish master´s degree, you might be qualified for the integrated MSc and PhD programme, if you have an education equivalent to a relevant Danish bachelor´s degree. Here you can find out, if that is relevant for you: General assessments for specific countries and Assessment database. 

Terms of the integrated programme

To be eligible for the integrated scholarship, you are (or are eligible to be) enrolled at one of the faculty’s master programmes in Physics.

Students on the integrated programme will enroll as PhD students simultaneously with completing their enrollment in this MSc degree programme.

The duration of the integrated programme is up to five years, and depends on the amount of credits that you have passed on your MSc programme. For further information about the study programme, please see: www.science.ku.dk/phd, “Study Structures”.

Until the MSc degree is obtained, (when exactly two years of the full 3+5 programme remains), the grant will be paid partly in the form of 48 state education grant portions (in Danish: “SU-klip”) plus salary for work (teaching, supervision etc.) totalling a workload of at least 150 working hours per year.
A PhD grant portion is DKK 6,243.

When you have obtained the MSc degree, you will transfer to the salary-earning part of the scholarship for a period of two years. At that point, the terms of employment and payment will be according to the agreement between the Ministry of Finance and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State (AC). The position is covered by the Protocol on Job Structure.

Responsibilities and tasks in both PhD programmes

• Complete and pass the MSc education in accordance with the curriculum of the MSc programme

 (ONLY when you are attending the integrated MSc and PhD programme)

• Carry through an independent research project under supervision

• Complete PhD courses corresponding to approx. 30 ECTS / ½ FTE
• Participate in active research environments, including a stay at another research institution, preferably abroad
• Teaching and knowledge dissemination activities
• Write scientific papers aimed at high-impact journals
• Write and defend a PhD thesis on the basis of your project

We are looking for the following qualifications:

• Professional qualifications relevant to the PhD project
• Relevant publications
• Relevant work experience
• Other relevant professional activities
• Curious mind-set with a strong interest in physics and life science
• Good language skills

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Application and Assessment Procedure

 Your application including all attachments must be in English and submitted electronically by clicking APPLY NOW below.

Please include: 

1. Cover Letter, detailing your motivation and background for applying for the specific PhD project
2. Curriculum vitae including information about your education, experience, language skills and other skills relevant to the position
3. Original diplomas for Bachelor of Science or Master of Science and transcript of records in the original language, including an authorized English translation if issued in another language than English or Danish. If not completed, a certified/signed copy of a recent transcript of records or a written statement from the institution or supervisor is accepted.
4. Publication list (if possible)
5. contact information for 2-3 references

Application deadline:

 The deadline for applications is  30 April 2023 , 23:59 GMT +2.

We reserve the right not to consider material received after the deadline, and not to consider applications that do not live up to the abovementioned requirements.

The further process

After deadline, a number of applicants will be selected for academic assessment by an unbiased expert assessor. You are notified, whether you will be passed for assessment.

The assessor will assess the qualifications and experience of the shortlisted applicants with respect to the above mentioned research area, techniques, skills and other requirements. The assessor will conclude whether each applicant is qualified and, if so, for which of the two models. The assessed applicants will have the opportunity to comment on their assessment. You can read about the recruitment process at https://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/.

Questions

For specific information about the PhD fellowship, please contact the principal supervisor.

General information about PhD study at the Faculty of SCIENCE is available at the PhD School’s website: https://www.science.ku.dk/phd/.

The University of Copenhagen wishes to reflect the surrounding community and invites all regardless of personal background to apply for the position. 

Part of the International Alliance of Research Universities (IARU), and among Europe’s top-ranking universities, the University of Copenhagen promotes research and teaching of the highest international standard. Rich in tradition and modern in outlook, the University gives students and staff the opportunity to cultivate their talent in an ambitious and informal environment. An effective organisation – with good working conditions and a collaborative work culture – creates the ideal framework for a successful academic career.