PhD scholarship to study interactions between diet, environmental factors in the gut and the gut microbiota in humans

Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports, Faculty of Science at University of Copenhagen is offering a PhD scholarship to study interactions between diet, environmental factors in the gut and the gut microbiota in humans commencing 01.08.2022 or as soon as possible thereafter.

The scientific environment
The position is available in the Research Group of Gut Microbes, Diet and Health, which conducts research to understand the mechanisms by which the gut microbiota contributes to food digestion and health. The interactions between diet, gut microbiota and health are studied both in infant cohorts and in human dietary intervention studies. We apply cutting-edge metabolomics and microbiomics, and collaborate with leading national and international microbiome researchers and researchers in immunology and intestinal host receptors to elucidate host-microbial cross-talk.

The Research group is headed by Associate Professor Henrik Munch Roager and is based in the Section for Preventive and Clinical Nutrition at the Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports. We aim for scientific excellence through collaborative work, work-life balance and ambition, which is supported by an inclusive, dynamic and international environment. See more:

Responsibilities and tasks
The current position is part of a Challenge project called PRIMA – Towards Personalized dietary Recommendations based on the Interaction between diet, Microbiome and Abiotic conditions in the gut supported by the Novo Nordisk Foundation. The project focuses on investigating interactions between diet, environmental (abiotic) factors in the gut, and the gut microbial composition and metabolism with the aim of understanding the role of the gut microbiota in personal responses to foods.

The role of the PhD student will be to conduct a human intervention study with the aim of manipulating abiotic factors in the gut and study effects on the microbiome and metabolic signaling. This includes writing the protocol, recruitment of participants, examination visits, and handling of biological samples. Furthermore, the PhD student will perform liquid chromatography mass spectrometry-based metabolomics analyses on samples from in vitro, in vivo and human intervention studies conducted within PRIMA. Finally, the candidate will take part in combining multi-omics data using multivariate statistics, and write scientific publications.

The position involves collaborative work with academic partners at Technical University of Denmark, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, and University of Minnesota.

Principal supervisor is Associate Professor, Henrik Munch Roager, Department of Nutrition Exercise and Sports, hero@nexs.ku.dk and co-supervisor is Professor Lars Ove Dragsted, Department of Nutrition Exercise and Sports.

Job description

The position is available for a 3-year period and your key tasks as a PhD student at SCIENCE are:

• To manage and carry through your research project 
• Complete PhD courses corresponding to approx. 30 ECTS points
• Write scientific articles and your PhD thesis
• Teach and disseminate your research
• Participate in active research environments including a stay at another research team (possibly at University of Minnesota)
• Take part in activities and teaching at the department

Key criteria for the assessment of applicants
We are looking for highly motivated applicants with the following competences and experiences:

• A MSc degree in Microbiology, Biology, Biotechnology, Biochemistry, Bioinformatics, Human Nutrition or related field with excellent results. Applicants expecting to obtain the MSc degree in the near future are also encouraged to apply
• An independent, rational and creative mindset promoting team work and solutions.
• Self-motivated and highly organized personality with a strong drive and scientific curiosity.
• Excellent communication skills in both spoken and written English.
• Excellent communication skills in Danish (or related Nordic language) is an advantage
• Hands-on experience with human intervention/cohort studies is an advantage.
• Experience with metabolomics and/or omics data-analyses using statistical computing software such as R is an advantage

Terms of employment
The position is covered by the Memorandum on Job Structure for Academic Staff.
Terms of appointment and payment according to the agreement between the Ministry of Finance and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State.

The starting annual salary is currently at a minimum DKK 328.355 (approx. €43,750) including annual supplement (+ pension at a minimum DKK 53,360). Negotiation for salary supplement is possible.

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

Please include

• Motivated letter of application
• CV incl. education, experience, language skills and other skills relevant for the position
• Diploma and transcripts of records (BSc and MSc)
• List of publications (if applicable),
• Letter(s) of recommendation (optional)

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

The deadline for applications is Sunday 8 May 2022, 23:59 GMT+1. 

Interviews with selected candidates are expected to be held in the week of 13-17th of June 2022.

After the expiry of the deadline for applications, the authorized recruitment manager selects applicants for assessment on the advice of the Interview Committee. Afterwards an assessment committee will be appointed to evaluate the selected applications. The applicants will be notified of the composition of the committee and the final selection of a successful candidate will be made by the Head of Department, based on the recommendations of the assessment committee and the interview committee.

The main criterion for selection will be the research potential of the applicant and the above mentioned skills. The successful candidate will then be requested to formally apply for enrolment as a PhD student at the PhD school of Science. You can read more about the recruitment process at https://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/.

Questions
For specific information about the PhD scholarship, please contact the principal supervisor Associate Professor, Henrik Munch Roager, Department of Nutrition Exercise and Sports, hero@nexs.ku.dk

General information about PhD programmes at SCIENCE is available at https://www.science.ku.dk/phdAPPLY NOW

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.

Contact

Henrik Munch RoagerE-mail: hero@nexs.ku.dk

Info

Application deadline: 08-05-2022Employment start: 01-08-2022Working hours: Full timeDepartment/Location: Department of Nutrition Exercise and Sports