PhD scholarship in Bacterial Pathogen Metabolism
A 3 year PhD stipend is available for work on bacterial pathogen metabolism as a target for drug discovery. You will be using advanced methods at the Center for Hyperpolarization in Magnetic Resonance (HYPERMAG) at the Technical University of Denmark (DTU), Copenhagen, Denmark.
Background: The continued usefulness of antibiotics is threatened by the emergence of antibiotic resistance. Recently, a relationship between bacterial metabolism and antibiotic efficiency has become clear. To develop effective therapies, it is necessary that we have a more thorough understanding of this relationship. In HYPERMAG, we develop hyperpolarized DNP-NMR as a new technology for metabolic insight. The non-invasive, real-time observations with unprecedented sensitivity can directly identify important steps in pathogen metabolism. Observations of intracellular processes will be complemented by kinetic modelling to obtain a quantitative description of biochemical function and flexibility in central carbon metabolism.
Pathogenic bacteria that invade the intestine interact with a complex ecosystem consisting of the gut microbiota and the human intestinal tissue. We work on model systems simulating this cellular environment to understand the interactions between pathogens and hosts and how antimicrobial drugs affects these interactions.
The purpose of the project is to develop and use unique functional assays to characterize intracellular metabolic bottlenecks in bacterial systems such as
Salmonella, Shigella or Listeria. It will be possible to decipher how metabolism is changed upon treatment with known antibiotics or probiotics and their extracts.
Responsibilities and qualifications
Flexibility, self-motivation and commitment are required skills. In addition, we expect you to be eager to collaborate and take personal responsibility for your work. Good communication skills in English are required.
The interdisciplinary nature of the project requires the candidate to have a broad interest ranging from cell growth to data collection and interpretation. Profound curiosity within the areas of microbiology, biomimetic systems or mathematical modelling of biological processes will be preferred. Prior experience with NMR is not required, but an interest in learning this method is required.
You will work at DTU Health Tech in close collaboration supervisors Assoc. Profs. Pernille Rose Jensen and Sebastian Meier (DTU Chemistry).
You must have a two-year master's degree (120 ECTS points) or a similar degree with an academic level equivalent to a two-year master's degree.
Approval and Enrolment
The scholarship for the PhD degree is subject to academic approval, and the candidate will be enrolled in one of the general degree programmes at DTU. For information about our enrolment requirements and the general planning of the PhD study programme, please see the
DTU PhD Guide.
We offer
DTU is a leading technical university globally recognized for the excellence of its research, education, innovation and scientific advice. We offer a rewarding and challenging job in an international environment. We strive for academic excellence in an environment characterized by collegial respect and academic freedom tempered by responsibility.
Salary and appointment terms
The appointment will be based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. The allowance will be agreed upon with the relevant union. The period of employment is 3 years. The PhD appointment must be initiated in 2021.
You can read more about
career paths at DTU here.
Further information
Further information may be obtained from the supervisors, e.g. Pernille Rose Jensen, tel.: +45 4525 3688,
peroje@dtu.dk.
You can read more about HYPERMAG and the Section for Magnetic Resonance at
www.hypermag.dtu.dk/ and about DTU Health Technology at
www.healthtech.dtu.dk/english.
If you are applying from abroad, you may find useful information on working in Denmark and at DTU at DTU – Moving to Denmark.
Application procedure
Your complete online application must be submitted no later than
15 October 2021 (Danish time). Apply online here:
PhD scholarship in Bacterial Pathogen Metabolism
Applications must be submitted as
one PDF file containing all materials to be given consideration. To apply, please open the link "Apply online", fill out the online application form, and attach
all your materials in English in one PDF file. The file must include:
- A letter motivating the application (cover letter)
- Curriculum vitae
- Grade transcripts and BSc/MSc diploma
- Excel sheet with translation of grades to the Danish grading system (see guidelines and Excel spreadsheet here)
You may apply prior to obtaining your master's degree but cannot begin before having received it.
All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, race, disability, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply.
DTU Health Tech engages in research, education, and innovation base on technical and natural science for the healthcare sector. The Healthcare sector is a globally expanding market with demands for the most advanced technological solutions. DTU Health Tech creates the foundation for companies to develop new and innovative services and products which benefit people and create value for society. DTU Health Techs expertise spans from imaging and biosensor techniques, across digital health and biological modelling, to biopharma technologies. The department has a scientific staff of about 210 persons, 130 PhD students and a technical/administrative support staff of about 160 persons, of which a large majority contributes to our research infrastructure and related commercial activities.
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