PhD position in regulatory T cell autophagy/mitophagy, and mitochondrial DNA biology at BRIC, Issazadeh-Navikas group

We are looking for a highly motivated PhD studentto join our team in field of regulatory T cell autophagy/mitophagy process as well as mitochondrial DNA biology research to commence 1 January 2023 or soon hereafter.

Our research

Our team is interested to understand molecular pathways by which regulatory T cells in particular FoxA1+Tregs control autoimmunity in particular during inflammatory processes of central nervous system.

Supervisor

Professor Shohreh Issazadeh-Navikas; shohreh.issazadeh@bric.ku.dk

Start
1 January 2023

Duration
3 years as a PhD student

Your job

You will join a multi-disciplinary research team but you will work independently with capacity and previous documented experience. Your tasks will include; establishing and performing experiments in vivo models of autoimmune/inflammatory diseases, documented experience in the field of regulatory T cells such as FoxP3+Tregs but previous experience working with FoxA1+Tregs is highly appreciated. Previous work during bachelor and master thesis with autophagy /mitophagy process in general or in neurons or T cells is a merit. The candidate is required to have documented experience with cellular and molecular immunology techniques such as FACS analysis and sorting. You should be able to establish/utilize multiple techniques to assess mitochondrial functions such as seahorse technique, oxidative stress, mitochondrial DNA damage responses composed of molecular biology, biochemical techniques, Western blotting, immunohistochemistry and imaging techniques (including confocal) and or experience with omics and their analysis.

Profile

We are looking for a highly motivated and enthusiastic candidate with interest or track-record in the following competencies and experience:

Essential experience and skills

• You have a MSc. in neuroimmunology not older than two years
• You have documented experience in mitophagy, mitochondrial functions and mitochondrial DNA biology
• You have FELASA licence and experience working with rodents, autoimmune/brain inflammatory models
• You have experience with technologies related to mitophagy, mitochondrial DNA damage
• Good English skills, written and spoken.

Desirable experience and skills

• Experience and knowledge in tissue inflammatory/autoimmune disease models, in vivo rodent models, histopathology, mitochondrial homeostasis and mitophagy, microscopy and imaging, imaging analysis (FIJI, Slidebook, Amira) and protein biochemistry
• Omics like proteomics, transcriptomic performance or analysis

Place of employment

The place of employment is at BRIC, Biocenter, University of Copenhagen. We offer creative and stimulating working conditions in a dynamic and international research environment. Our research facilities include modern laboratories and the state-of-the-art technologies.

Terms of salary and employment

The PhD fellowhship is a full time and fixed-term position for 3 years. Starting date is 1 January 2023. The employment is conditioned upon the applicant’s successful enrolment 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 to the Graduate School of Health and Medical Sciences.

The PhD study must be completed in accordance with The Ministerial Order on the PhD programme (2013) and the Faculty’s rules  on achieving the degree.

Salary, pension, and terms of employment are in accordance with the agreement between the Ministry of Finance and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State. Depending on seniority, the monthly salary starts at approximately 28,400 DKK/roughly 3,818 EUR (October 2022 level) plus pension.

Application

Your application should in [English] include:

• Letter of application addressing the requirements (max. one page).
• CV incl. education, experience, language skills and other skills relevant for the position
• Certified copy of original Master of Science diploma and transcript of records in the original language, including an authorized English translation if issued in other language than English or Danish. If not completed, a certified/signed copy of a recent transcript of records or a written statement from the institution or supervisor is accepted.
  As a prerequisite for a PhD fellowship employment, your master’s degree must be equivalent to a Danish master’s degree. We encourage you to read more in the assessment database: https://ufm.dk/en/education/recognition-and-transparency/find-assessments/assessment-database . Please note that we might ask you to obtain an assessment of your education performed by the Ministry of Higher Education and Science.
  Applicants with a Master´s degree from abroad should also enclose a short description of the grading scale used
• Publication list (if possible)
• Other information to consider: References and recommendations (if possible)

Please submit your application by clicking on “Apply Now” below. Only online applications will be accepted.

Application deadline: 23 September 2022, 23.59 CET

We reserve the right not to consider material received after the deadline, and not to consider applications that do not live up to the abovementioned requirements.

The further process

After the expiry of the deadline for applications, the authorised recruitment manager selects applicants for assessment on the advice of the hiring committee. All applicants are then immediately notified whether their application has been passed for assessment by an unbiased assessor.

The assessor makes a non-prioritized assessment of the academic qualifications and experience with respect to the above-mentioned area of research, techniques, skills and other requirements listed in the advertisement.

Once the assessment work has been completed each applicant has the opportunity to comment on the part of the assessment that relates to the applicant him/herself.

The applicant will be assessed according to the Ministerial Order no. 242 of 13 March 2012 on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Universities.

Interviews are expected to be held in the following week after deadline.

You can read about the recruitment process at https://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/

Questions

For further information regarding the position, please contact shohreh.issazadeh@bric.ku.dk

General information about PhD studies at the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences is available at the Graduate School’s website: https://healthsciences.ku.dk/phd/guidelines/

For more information on working and living in Denmark visit http://ism.ku.dk  (International staff mobility) and https://www.workindenmark.dk

The University of Copenhagen wish to reflect the diversity of society and encourage all qualified candidates to apply regardless of personal background.

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.