Assistant-Professor for Research on Plant – Microbe Interactions

at  Kbenhavns Universitet

Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science at University of Copenhagen is offering a 18-month Assistant-Professor position within the topic “Plant – Microbe Interactions” commencing 1 December 2024 or as soon as possible thereafter. We are looking for a highly motivated and dynamic researcher with proven expertise and interest in research on Plant – Microbe Interactions with organismic approaches and cell physiologigal and functional molecular analyses.
The Assistant-Professor´s duties will include research within Plant – Microbe Interactions. The project addresses the Molecular Mechanisms and Dynamics of Plant-Microbe Interactions at the Root-Soil Interface (InRoot). Research on plants and their naturally associated microorganisms is in a prime position to provide new perspectives and concepts for understanding plant function, performance and plant growth under limited input conditions. This will provide opportunities to reduce the environmental footprint and could also define breeding targets and develop applications through microbial interventions. To achieve this goal, InRoot uses interdisciplinary approaches connecting plant and bacterial genetics, protein biochemistry, analytical chemistry and plant physiology with bacterial and plant population biodiversity studies and advanced modeling. The aim and perspective of InRoot is to provide knowledge and tools for evidence-based development of new resilient crops and associated microbial interventions that will improve productivity, reduce the need for fertilizers and pesticides, and alleviate negative environmental impact accompanying our food production. To achieve these overarching objectives InRoot investigates functionally both the plant and the bacterial contributions to crop resiliency. To understand the molecular mechanisms integrating root-microbe interactions into whole-plant physiology the project will specifically focus on elucidating the mechanisms of intra-and interorganismal communication, signaling and resource allocation that regulate the local and systemic responses of Lotus, barley and Arabidopsis and their specific interactions with individual rhizosphere bacterial and SynComs.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

• A MSc and PhD degree in plant biotechnology or equivalent
• Successful completion of the Danish “Teaching and Learning in Higher Education Programme” (TLHEP, “Universitetspædagogikum”)
• Minimum of 5 years of postdoc experience
• Documented scientific research experience and deep knowledge of plant-microbe interaction
• Proven experience with plant – microbe interaction in-vitro and soil based experimental systems, preferentially with the plant species Lotus, barley and Arabidopsis, beneficial rhizobacteria and root-nodule symbiosis.
• Experience in addressing the impact of abiotic factors such as drought stress and suboptimal temperatures.
• Proven practical work experience with state of the art analytical methods in plant cell physiology, biochemistry with enzymology, functional molecular biology including transcriptome analyses, light-, fluorescence and confocal microscopy, and noninvasive automated phenotyping with image analysis
• Good organizational skills and a detail-oriented structured work approach
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
  For further information, please contact Professor Thomas Roitsch, roitsch@plen.ku.dk, phone +45 35331526
  Further information on the Department is linked at https://www.science.ku.dk/english/about-the-faculty/organisation/. Inquiries about the position can be made to [head of department].
  The position is open from 1st December 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.

Please refer the Job description for details