(1) PhD position: Physics/Biocomplexity
The project aims at uncovering universal characteristics and laws in life systems, in particular in adaptation, development, and evolution with the spirit of theoretical physics, by focusing on consistency between hierarchical levels – molecules, cells, organisms, and ecosystem. The ideal candidate will have a strong theoretical physics background, in particular statistical physics and dynamical systems. Previous knowledge of biology is not necessarily required, although high motivation to understand a life system with willingness to learn is needed. Our research project is theoretical, by taking analytical, numerical, or data-driven approaches, with possible collaboration with experimental groups.
Throughout the project, the candidate will be trained to be truly an interdisciplinary researcher in a creative and cross-disciplinary environment.
Whom are we looking for?
We are looking for a talented, highly motivated and creative scientist who is interested in exploring fundamental questions at the interface between physics and quantitative biological systems.
The position will deal with theoretical studies on a biological system. Interplay with constructive numerical modelling of complex phenomena and theoretical analysis is postulated, to unveil and test hypothesis and laws in biological systems.
The successful candidates must have excellent English skills, both written and oral. The successful candidate must be imaginative and hold a Masters degree in physics, biophysics 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
Deadline : 1 December 2022,
(2) PhD position summary/title: PhD positions available at reNEW Copenhagen Node
We are looking for individuals interested in focusing on enhancer networks in early human development and human organ specific differentiation. As a PhD student in the Brickman group, you will be working in the field of stem cell and developmental biology. You will be part of an international interdisciplinary team of scientists focusing on understanding the transcriptional basis for development and exploiting this to develop new technologies for cell type specification in culture. We employ both mouse and human model systems in vitro and in vivo, where the advertised positions will focus on the use of three-dimensional synthetic models for human development. Specifically, the first project will focus on human hypoblast and stem cell-based embryo models and the second, VFGs as a model for the more effective differentiation of pluripotent stem cells to hepatic and pancreatic organoids. The positions will use a combination of cell culture, molecular biology, microscopy and next generation sequencing (NGS) technologies. There are also opportunities to explore both projects computationally.
Also your key tasks as a PhD student at SUND are:
- Carrying through an independent research project under supervision.
- Completing PhD courses or other equivalent education corresponding to approximately 30 ECTS points.
- Participating in active research environments including a stay at another research team.
- Obtaining experience with teaching or other types of dissemination related to your PhD project
- Teaching and disseminating your knowledge.
- Writing a PhD thesis on the grounds of your project
Deadline : 1 December 2022.
(3) PhD position: Marie Curie PhD fellowship in NAD and Aging (DNA damage)
DNA damage accumulates with age and may contribute to age-associated diseases. A major DNA damage-responsive enzyme is poly-ADP-ribose polymerase 1 (PARP1). Activation of PARP1 may contribute to decline of NAD with age however it is unclear how PARP activation can contribute with this in a steady state system. This PhD project will focus on understanding how DNA damage might impact systemic changes in NAD levels across tissues, a critical point for our ability to treat age-associated diseases.
This project is funded through the EU-Horizon NADis Marie Skłodowska-Curie Network (grant agreement #101073251) and the chosen candidate will become part of a larger network of researchers across top universities in Europe. NADIS is a MSCA Doctoral Network.
The NADIS network
The main goal of the NADIS consortium is to train the next generation of metabolic researchers, providing them with in-depth knowledge and cross-disciplinary expertise to combat disease. The research projects will specifically focus on the metabolism of NAD+, a central redox cofactor and enzymatic substrate that plays an essential role in virtually all major cellular functions. The limited knowledge on the interplay between NAD+ and the cellular processes in which it is involved, especially those that lead to disease, requires novel experimental and analytical tools combined with a strong interaction between scientists and clinical staff coming from different disciplines. We aim to fill these gaps by training ten highly skilled ESRs. To do this, we bring together our expertise in molecular and cellular biology, bioinformatics, and Artificial Intelligence (AI), omics, drug development and nutritional/clinical applications. Our non-academic beneficiaries are focused on the development of nutrition products, medical foods, and drug development for new therapies. We will also provide ESRs with transferable and networking skills, and first-hand experience of industrial applications, enabling them to become future leading scientists at the forefront of metabolic research and, specifically, NAD+ research in Europe.
Deadline : December 6, 2022,
(4) PhD position: Marie Curie PhD fellowship in NAD and Aging (loss of NAD)
Project description
Loss of NAD is emerging as a central feature in aging. Importantly, NAD levels can be increased by ingestion of molecular precursors such as nicotinamide riboside and nicotinamide mononucleotide. This project investigates the application of novel NAD precursors to the fruit fly model of aging, drosophila melanogaster. Using the Tracked bio technology the PhD student will combine work with fruit flies to develop algorithms able to predict aging in flies.
This project is funded through the EU-Horizon NADis Marie Skłodowska-Curie Network (grant agreement #101073251) and the chosen candidate will become part of a larger network of researchers across top universities in Europe. NADIS is a MSCA Doctoral Network.
The main goal of the NADIS consortium is to train the next generation of metabolic researchers, providing them with in-depth knowledge and cross-disciplinary expertise to combat disease. The research projects will specifically focus on the metabolism of NAD+, a central redox cofactor and enzymatic substrate that plays an essential role in virtually all major cellular functions. The limited knowledge on the interplay between NAD+ and the cellular processes in which it is involved, especially those that lead to disease, requires novel experimental and analytical tools combined with a strong interaction between scientists and clinical staff coming from different disciplines. We aim to fill these gaps by training ten highly skilled ESRs. To do this, we bring together our expertise in molecular and cellular biology, bioinformatics, and Artificial Intelligence (AI), omics, drug development and nutritional/clinical applications. Our non-academic beneficiaries are focused on the development of nutrition products, medical foods, and drug development for new therapies. We will also provide ESRs with transferable and networking skills, and first-hand experience of industrial applications, enabling them to become future leading scientists at the forefront of metabolic research and, specifically, NAD+ research in Europe.
Deadline : December 6, 2022,
(5) PhD position: Uncovering mechanisms of cachexia and insulin resistance in patients with lung cancer at the Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Copenhagen
A PhD position is available in the group Molecular Metabolism in Cancer and Ageing at the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Denmark. The position is available from March 1st 2023, or a mutually agreed date. Very motivated and committed candidates with a medical degree (Lægevidenskabelig Embedseksamen) with working experience (but not yet board certified specialist) in endocrinology, oncology or any other relevant subspecialty are invited to apply.
The employment as Ph.D. fellow is full time and for 3 years. The position is fully funded and is conditioned upon the applicant’s successful enrollment as a PhD student at the Graduate School at the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen. This requires submission and acceptance of an application for the specific project formulated by the applicant.
While often overlooked, metabolic dysfunction is a comorbidity of many types of cancer. Disruption of glucose metabolism and insulin resistance in cancer is concerning as they are strongly associated with reduced survival and a higher cancer recurrence rate. Furthermore, cancer patients with loss of muscle mass (cachexia) have an increased risk of multiple adverse outcomes, including decreased survival. For this PhD fellowship we are looking for a candidate that will engage in three research studies that as a whole will bring new insight to the metabolic and endocrine dysfunction in patients with cancer cachexia, all being patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated with palliative and life-prolonging intend at the Department of Oncology at Rigshospitalet. This population has a median age of 71 years, some with pronounced comorbidity, but all with a performance status that allows for anticancer treatment (PS0-2).
Deadline : 10 December 2022
(6) PhD position: Environmental Toxicology
It is impossible to assess the risk of all chemical pollutants to all species in the environment at all sorts of environmental conditions. Chemical risk assessments therefore depend on models which can predict the chemical fate and biological effect across species and endpoints. Several models exist but few are fully evaluated for their ability to predict fate and effects under nature-like conditions. The overall aim of QTOX is to address the robustness of models based on mechanistic knowledge of the underlying processes in the chain from exposure to effects, across all levels of biological organisation, with close connection to regulatory endpoints, and under environmentally realistic conditions, i.e., including the dynamics of chronic exposures to mixtures of chemicals. The robustness of all models will be evaluated on microcosm scenarios under two environmental regimes in Spain and Holland, respectively. Read more about the project on www.qtox.eu
The objective of the current PhD is to establish the relationships between different species of aquatic plants and algae in terms of vulnerability, time to effect and recovery times when exposed to chemicals specifically targeting primary producers (herbicides and metal complexes such as Cu-pyrithione and Zn-pyrithione). We expect that the PhD will establish the significance of architecture (surface to volume ratio), surface properties (cuticula and cell wall composition) and methods of carbon acquisition (from air, sediment via lacuna tissue, or from the water as CO and/or HCO3) in determining species sensitivities of primary producers. The focus will be on determining the time to manifestation of effects on photosynthesis and growth parameters, and the time to recovery. The results will be used to parameterise TKTD models, and to explore which parameters have the largest effects on species differences, and to what extent the models developed for one species and one chemical mode of action can be extrapolated to other species and other chemicals. The results will provide an increased understanding of parameters driving species specific differences in chemical sensitivity of aquatic primary producers towards water soluble pollutants. Application of the developed model will establish the extent to which data derived from standard test species such as green algae and duckweed can be used to predict effects on more complex primary produces such as submerged and emergent macrophyte species under environmentally relevant exposure conditions.
Deadline : 16 December 2022
