PhD Project in interferometric microscopy of live plants

Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences (PLEN; Section of Plant Glycobiology) & the Niels Bohr Institute, Faculty of Science at University of Copenhagen is offering a PhD position. The position is a joint position between the Plant Cellulose/Cell Biology research group (Prof. Staffan Persson & Ass. Prof. Guillermo Moreno Pescador) at the Glycobiology Section and the Niels Bohr Institute (Assoc. Prof. Poul- Martin Bendix). The work is in the field of microscopy and experimental biophysics and will aim to address important questions in plant biology. More specifically, the work aims to decipher certain aspects of cell wall and plasma membrane trafficking. Start date is (expected to be) 1 May 2024 or as soon as possible thereafter.

The project
Vesicle trafficking plays a pivotal role in the dynamic and intricate processes in plant cell biology. The nanoscopic membrane-enclosed compartments orchestrate precise delivery of essential molecules, such as hormones, enzymes, and signaling factors, to distinct cellular compartments that drive functions such as cell division, elongation, and differentiation. While significant progress has been made in understanding the molecular machinery behind vesicle trafficking, several intriguing questions remain unanswered. For example, regulatory mechanisms that govern the specificity of cargo sorting, the coordination of vesicle fusion events, and the interplay between different trafficking pathways remain understudied. Furthermore, unraveling how environmental cues influence vesicle trafficking dynamics in different cell types and species, and deciphering the cross-talk between different organelles and vesicles remain challenging.

The aims of this project include:

1. Developing a novel label-free microscope based on interferometric scattering that will allow real-time, non-invasive visualization of vesicle dynamics and inter-organellar interactions in living cells.
2. Study vesicle trafficking in plant roots, using such bespoke microscope.

The outcome of the project may unveil mechanisms that underlie plant root development, potentially paving the way for innovative strategies to enhance crop yield and stress resistance. Label-free microscopy may offer a new lens to decipher these elusive processes and propel our understanding of plant root biology.

Who are we looking for?
We are seeking a highly motivated PhD candidate to join our research team to develop a new microscope based on interferometric techniques for studying plants. The successful candidate will work closely with our team of experts in optics and photonics to design and build a microscope capable of three-dimensional Interferometric scattering (iSCAT) which has been shown to be a powerful tool for label-free detection of single particles and biomolecule detection. The candidate will have the opportunity to work with state- of-the-art instrumentation and learn advanced techniques for imaging dynamic events and molecular processes in plants. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in optics, photonics, biophysics, and experience with interferometric techniques and/or, bioimage processing and scientific coding

would be desirable. The candidate should hold an MSc degree, or equivalent, in any area related to cell biology, optics and bioimaging. Applicants should demonstrate strong English skills, high academic standing, and passion for research. As criteria for the assessment of your qualifications, emphasis will also be laid on previous publications (if any), relevant work experience, reference letters, and interviews.

Our group and research- and what do we offer?
This is a collaborative research project between PLEN and the Niels Bohr institute (University of Copenhagen). The project will be hosted at the University of Copenhagen, in a highly cross-disciplinary and exciting team with expert backgrounds in microscopy, physics, biochemistry and molecular biology. The group currently holds more than 20 people, with very varied backgrounds, ensuring that you will receive a broad but cutting-edge experience that will build a solid foundation for your future scientific career.

Principal supervisor: Prof Staffan Persson, PLEN, University of Copenhagen, [email protected] Secondary supervisor: Assoc. Prof. Poul-Martin Bendix, NBI, University of Copenhagen, [email protected]

Co-Supervisor: Ass. Prof. Guillermo Moreno Pescador, University of Copenhagen, [email protected]

The PhD programme
A three year full-time study within the framework of the regular PhD programme(5+3 scheme), if you already have an education equivalent to a relevant Danish master’s degree.

Qualifications needed for the regular programme
To be eligible for the regular PhD programme, you must have completed a degree programme, equivalent to a Danish master’s degree (180 ECTS/3 FTE BSc + 120 ECTS/2 FTE MSc) related to the subject area of the project, e.g. Plant Science. For information of eligibility of completed programmes, see General assessments for specific countries and Assessment database.

Terms of employment in the regular programme
Employment as PhD fellow is full time and for maximum 3 years.

Employment is conditional upon your successful enrolment as a PhD student at the PhD School at the Faculty of SCIENCE, University of Copenhagen. This requires submission and acceptance of an application for the specific project formulated by the applicant.

The terms of employment and salary are in accordance to the agreement between the Ministry of Finance and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State (AC). The position is covered by the Protocol on Job Structure.

Responsibilities and tasks

• Carry through an independent research project under supervision
• Complete PhD courses corresponding to approx. 30 ECTS / ½ FTE
• Participate in active research environments, including a stay at another research institution, preferably abroad
• Teaching and knowledge dissemination activities
• Write scientific papers aimed at high-impact journals
• Write and defend a PhD thesis on the basis of your project

We are looking for the following qualifications:

• Professional qualifications relevant to the PhD project
• Relevant publications
• Relevant work experience
• Other relevant professional activities
• Curious mind-set with a strong interest in nutrient signaling, plant cell walls, and cell wall integrity sensing
• Good language skills

Application and Assessment Procedure

Your application including all attachments must be in English and submitted electronically by clicking APPLY NOW below.

Please include:

1. Motivation letter of application (max. one page)
2. Project proposal, i.e. what approach would you use to engineer a plant to report the availability status of macronutrients, such as nitrate and phosphate, and what methods would you use to identify and characterize cell wall integrity sensing proteins? Write a research project of max one page.
3. Curriculum vitae including information about your education, experience, language skills and other skills relevant for the position
4. Original diplomas for Bachelor of Science /Master of Science and transcript of records in the original language, including an authorized English translation if issued in another 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.
5. Publication list (if any)
6. Reference letters (if available), or contact details for references

Application deadline:
The deadline for applications is 26 January 2023, 23:59 GMT +1.

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 deadline, a number of applicants will be selected for academic assessment by an unbiased expert assessor. You are notified, whether you will be passed for assessment.

The assessor will assess the qualifications and experience of the shortlisted applicants with respect to the above mentioned research area, techniques, skills and other requirements. The assessor will conclude whether each applicant is qualified and, if so, for which of the two models. The assessed applicants will have the opportunity to comment on their assessment. You can read about the recruitment process at http://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/.

nterviews with selected candidates are expected to be held 1st quarter of 2024

Questions
For specific information about the PhD fellowship, please contact the principal supervisor as per information above.

General information about PhD study at the Faculty of SCIENCE is available at the PhD School’s website: https://www.science.ku.dk/phd/.

The University of Copenhagen wishes to reflect the surrounding community and invites all

regardless of personal background to apply for the position.

Kilde: Jobnet.dk