Postdoc in the field of specialized ribosomes in plants

Department of Biology and Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine
Faculty of Science and Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences

University of Copenhagen

A 2.5-year post-doctoral position is available to study ribosome specialization through ribosomal RNA (rRNA) modifications in plants. The project will be jointly hosted and supervised by Prof. Henrik Nielsen and Prof. Peter Brodersen, University of Copenhagen, Denmark. The host labs are situated within walking distance from each other on the northern campus in central Copenhagen.

The project will explore the degree to which plants use specialized ribosomes for the different requirements for production of protein quantity and quality in distinct, well-chosen cell types. The project also involves functional study of selected modifications identified during the course of the project. The initial focus will be on ribose methylation, and the main methodology to be used for detection of 2’-O-methylation sites will be RiboMeth-seq for which both biochemical and bioinformatic protocols were originally developed in the Nielsen lab. Some of the plant work may use Arabidopsis thaliana fluorescent reporter lines to isolate the different cell populations of interest using fluorescence-associated sorting of protoplasts. We also envision to make use of Nanopore Direct RNA Sequencing technology to map patterns of modifications on individual rRNA molecules in the different cell types. The candidate must therefore have an interest in venturing into the application of this promising and interesting methodology with which both host labs have only limited experience at this point in time.

We are looking for a motivated researcher with

- a strong background in biochemistry or molecular biology

- an interest in fundamental RNA biology

- an interest in acquiring bioinformatic skills, and preferably already having some bioinformatic skills

- an interest in pursuing a research project at the exploratory stage: potentially interesting individual modifications or patterns of modifications must first be identified to create the basis for design of a functional study.

The successful candidate must be able to demonstrate a successful completion of PhD studies by a paper published in a respected international journal, or, as a minimum, deposited on a pre-print server such as BiorXiv.

The postdoc’s duties may include some teaching in addition to research. The post may also include performance of other duties, for example related to organization of bi-monthly meetings within the Copenhagen RNA research community and outreach activities of the host labs.

Further information on the host Departments is linked at https://www.science.ku.dk/english/about-the-faculty/organisation/ and https://icmm.ku.dk/english/. Inquiries about the position can be made to Prof. Henrik Nielsen (H.N.) or Prof Peter Brodersen (P.B.) at

hamra@sund.ku.dk (H.N.)

pbrodersen@bio.ku.dk (P.B.)

The position is open from December 1 2023 or as soon as possible thereafter.

The University wishes our staff to reflect the diversity of society and thus welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background.

Terms of employment

The position is covered by the Memorandum on Job Structure for Academic Staff.

Terms of appointment and payment accord to the agreement between the Ministry of Finance and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State.

Negotiation for salary supplement is possible.

The application, in English, must be submitted electronically by clicking APPLY NOW below.

Please include

• Curriculum vitae
• Diplomas (Master and PhD degree or equivalent including any grades if relevant)
• Complete publication list; please divide into pre-prints and peer-reviewed journal publications if relevant. Please add 1-2 sentences below each item on the list on what your contributions were.
• Separate reprints of 3 particularly relevant papers

The deadline for applications is September 15 2023), 23:59 GMT +1.

After the expiry of the deadline for applications, the authorized recruitment manager selects applicants for assessment on the advice of the Interview Committee.

You can read about the recruitment process at https://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/.

Qualified candidates with profiles judged to be of particular interest for the position will be invited for an interview as soon as possible after the application deadline. Because of teaching duties with varying schedules of both project supervisors, specific dates for interviews cannot be given at the time of job advertisement.

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.