PhD Fellowships in Environmental Science
University of Copenhagen
Denmark

Department of Plant and Environmental Science, Section for Environmental Chemistry and Physics, invites applicants for 2 PhD fellowships within the topics of biological effects of biotechnological pesticides based on double stranded RNA and peptides. The aim is to quantify effects on non-target organisms and unravel the mechanisms underlying species sensitivities. The title of the two positions are:

• “The effect of peptide based pesticides on species in the environment”
• “The effect of dsRNA based pesticides on species in the environment”

The projects are part of the research project ENvironmental SAFEty of biotechnological plant protection products based on double stranded RNA and peptides (ENSAFE), which is financed by The Novo Nordisk Foundation.

Start date is 1 January 2025 or as soon as possible thereafter.

The project

The vision of ENSAFE is to develop the in silico and experimental methods and tools needed to underpin an efficient evidence-based risk assessment framework for new bio-based plant protection products (PPPs) based on short double stranded RNA (dsRNA) and peptides. We will hire two PhD students working with each their model compound of newly commersialised dsRNA or peptide based products:

• PhD 1 will focus on understanding species specificity of PPPs based on spray on dsRNA, of which the first product, Ledprona, was approved for use in the USA in December 2023. You will work closely with the bioinformatisians in the project, who develop computer models to predict which species may be the most sensitive based on their genomic composition. You will create experimental data to underpin the mashine learning models, and will test hypotheses formulated based on the models. Species sensitivity measures may include endpoints reaching from the molecular scale using different omic’s techniques to monitoring life-history traits such as growth, reproduction and survival of the test organisms.
• PhD 2 will focus on understanding species specificity of PPPs based on spray on peptides, of which insecticides from the company Vestaron will provide a first case, but other products could be included. You will also work with bioinformatisians, who develop computer models to predict which species may be the most sensitive, but the link between genomes and target proteins may be less close that that for RNA-based products. Species sensitivity measures may include endpoints reaching from the molecular scale using different omic’s techniques to monitoring life-history traits such as growth, reproduction and survival of the test organisms.

Common for both PhD’s will be joint work with our project partners at UK Center for Ecology and Hydrology in Wallingford, England, who are experts in terrestrial ecotoxicology and risk assessments of biopesticides, and host a range of important non-target species such as ladybirds, bees and butterflies, and collaboration with project partners from Ålborg University who are experts in tracing biomolecules such as RNA and peptides in organisms and the environment. Two PhDs will also be hired by CEH, who will dive closer into biological modes of actions of the producs when sensitive species have been identified by you, and postdocs and PhDs will be hired by Ålborg university to develop the tools for tracking the products in organisms and the environment. Hence, you will be part of a team of 4-5 PhD students working on each their topic within the ENSAFE project, and will be an active and contributing part of the ENSAFE consortium working on creating the scientific foundation needed to effectively evaluate the environmental safety of dsRNA and peptide-based PPP technologies for uses in Europe.

Who are we looking for?

We are looking for candidates within the field(s) of Environmental toxicology, biology, biochemistry or similar scientific fields. Experience with laboratory work, handing test organisms and measuring morphological, physiological or behavioural parameters such as growth, reproduction and mobility will be an advantage, as will experience with omics techniques such as transcriptomics, metabolomics, proteomics and the associated treatment and interpretation of data. Data analysis and statistical skills will also be evaluated positively together with good communication and social skills.

Our group and research- and what do we offer?

The research group of Environmental Toxicology is embedded in the Section of Environmental Chemistry and Physics (https://plen.ku.dk/english/research/env_chem_phys/). We work with the environmental fate and effect of chemicals and bioactive molecules to create knowledge that can a.o. feed into regulatory dessision making. We have a well equipped ecotox-lab with long experience of hosting a range of non-target species, aquatic as well as terrestrial. We also have strong collaborations on campus with chemists and biologists enabling a wide range of measurements on state-of-the-art equipment run by experts in their field. As part of the ENSAFE project, stays with our project partners in Ålborg and England will be included, and you will have access to the wider consortium network and stake-holders involved in the production, use and regulation of the future biotechnological Plant Protection products.

The group is a part of Department of Plant and Environmental Science, Faculty of SCIENCE, University of Copenhagen. We are located in Copenhagen.

1. Principal supervisor is Professor Nina Cedergreen, E-mail: ncf@plen.ku.dk; Telephone: +45 29611743 or +45 35333397
2. Co-supervisors are Jeppe L. Nielsen from University of Ålborg and Helen Hesketh or Dave Spurgeon from UK-CEH.

The PhD programme

You can undertake the PhD programmeas 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 PhD 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. Environmental Science, Biology, Biotechnology. 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.

Terms of appointment and payment accord to the agreement between the Danish Ministry of Taxation and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State. The position is covered by the Protocol on Job Structure.

Responsibilities and tasks in PhD programmes

• Complete and pass the MSc education in accordance with the curriculum of the MSc programme

 (ONLY when you are attending the integrated MSc and PhD programme)

• 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
• 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 environmental toxicology and adverse outcome pathways
• 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 in your letter of motivation, if you apply for one of the PhD positions specifically or if you apply for both.

Please include: 

1. Motivated letter of application (max. one page) including your motivation for applying for the specific PhD project
2. Curriculum vitae including information about your education, experience, language skills and other skills relevant for the position
3. Original diplomas for Bachelor of Science or 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.
4. Publication list (if possible)
5. Reference letters (if available)

Application deadline:

The deadline for applications is 27 October 2024, 23:59 Central European Time.

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 https://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/.

Interviews with selected candidates are expected to be held between 25 November and 29 November 2024.

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

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. 

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.