Department: Biology
University: University of Copenhagen
Start Date: 01.01.2026 or as soon as possible thereafter
Employment Type: Full-time

Scientific Environment

The project is a collaborative effort between the groups of:

  • Associate Professor Kathrin Rousk, Terrestrial Ecology Section

  • Professor Peter Brodersen, Section for Computational and RNA Biology

  • Kathrin Rousk heads the Ecosystem Ecology group focusing on moss-cyanobacteria associations worldwide, from the Arctic to the Tropics.

  • Peter Brodersen’s group focuses on molecular mechanisms underlying genetic control in plants.

The successful candidate will be hosted by Associate Professor Kathrin Rousk but will spend time in both laboratories.

The applicant will be affiliated with the Center for Volatile Interactions (VOLT, volt.ku.dk) at the Department of Biology. The environment covers a wide range of topics: microbial ecology, plant ecophysiology, ecosystem ecology, biogeochemistry, soil biology, and ecosystem-atmosphere interactions. The group includes research and teaching staff, laboratory technicians, PhD candidates, and MSc/BSc students.

Project Description

The postdoctoral position is part of the 2.5-year project "Is moss the boss? Deciphering war and peace between moss and colonizing cyanobacteria", funded by the Danish Independent Research Fund (Dff), led by Kathrin Rousk.

Goals:

  • Elucidate the relationship between mosses and colonizing nitrogen (N)-fixing cyanobacteria

  • Identify and quantify nutrient exchange using stable isotope (^15N) and radioactive isotope (^35S) labelling in proteins of both partners using the model moss Physcomitrella patens

  • Assess whether modulation of immune responses in mosses via N availability governs cyanobacterial colonization

Additional Duties:

  • Co-supervise BSc and MSc students within the project

Main Tasks and Responsibilities

  • Planning experiments and growing/culturing mosses and cyanobacteria

  • Protein isolation from mosses and cyanobacteria

  • Stable and radioactive labelling and tracking

  • Mass spectrometer measurements and analyses

  • Western blots, N2 fixation measurements

  • Bioinformatics, data analyses, interpretation

  • Manuscript writing

Qualifications

  • PhD in Biology, Biochemistry, Molecular Plant Biology, or similar fields

  • Prior experience with molecular biology is required

  • Fluency in written and spoken English

  • Good communication skills, demonstrated by track record

Skills/Expertise

  • Planning and conducting experiments with (model) plants

  • Culturing of moss and bacteria

  • Stable isotope tracking

  • Plant molecular biology and biochemistry: western blots, immunoprecipitation, protein kinase assays, plant immune assays

  • Data analysis using R and Python, multivariate statistics

  • Project coordination

  • Growth measurements of plants and bacteria

Application Instructions

Applications must be in English and submitted electronically. Include:

  • Cover letter describing motivation

  • Curriculum vitae (max 2 pages)

  • Complete list of publications

  • PDF files of two most important publications

  • Diplomas (Master and PhD degree or equivalent)

  • Contact details of 2 professional referees

Deadline: 15 October 2025, 23:59 GMT+2

Contacts:

Procedures

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

Workplace and Living in Copenhagen

  • Copenhagen consistently ranks among the top 10 most livable and sustainable cities

  • Publicly supported daycare and healthcare

  • Dual-career opportunities, maternity/parental leave, six weeks of annual vacation

  • Support for international researchers via the International Staff Mobility (ISM) office

Terms of Employment

  • Covered by the Memorandum on Job Structure for Academic Staff

  • Terms and payment according to the agreement between the Ministry of Finance and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State

  • Negotiation for salary supplement possible

About the University of Copenhagen

  • Part of the International Alliance of Research Universities (IARU)

  • Promotes research and teaching of the highest international standard

  • Offers an ambitious and informal environment, effective organization, and collaborative work culture

Application Deadline: 15-10-2025
Employment Start: 01-01-2026
Department/Location: Department of Biology

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