PhD position available in Odense/Denmark

Are you interested in learning about sterol trafficking and metabolism in C. elegans? The sterol-auxotroph nematode is a very suitable model organism to understand whole-organism sterol homeostasis. Due to its transparency, it is ideally suited for imaging-based investigations. Following the theme “Seeing is believing” we use fluorescence microscopy of intrinsically fluorescent sterols to follow sterol transport routes in C. elegans (see Wüstner et al., “Selective visualization of fluorescent sterols in Caenorhabditis elegans by bleach-rate-based image segmentation.“ Traffic, 2010, 11(4):440-454). Using this approach combined with RNA interference and other molecular biological apparoaches, we are aimed to determine sterol transport and function in various tissues of C. elegans, including neurons and intestine.

A PhD scholarship in cell biology is available in the group of Associate Professor Dr Daniel Wüstner, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark. The position is to be filled by 15th July 2010 or soon thereafter.

We are seeking a candidate interested in understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying transport and metabolism of sterols in C. elegans. We provide unique quantitative fluorescence imaging tools like wide field deconvolution, spinning disk confocal and multiphoton microscopy combined with facilities for culture and molecular biology of C. elegans and lipid analysis/mass spectrometry to address these problems.

The scholarship is available to students with a Master or equivalent academic degree in cell biology, biochemistry, biophysics or related fields. Prior experience in culture and biology of C. elegans, fluorescence spectroscopy/microscopy or in Java-/ MatLab-based image processing is required. A documented quantitative approach to cell biology is preferred. The successful applicant will be enrolled at the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, the University of Southern Denmark.

For further information please contact: Dr Daniel Wüstner, tel.: +45 65502405, e-mail: wuestner@bmb.sdu.dk.

Application, salary, etc.:

Appointment as a PhD Research Fellow is for three years. Employment stops automatically at the end of the period. The holder of the scholarship is not allowed to have other paid employment during the three-year period.

The successful applicant will be employed in accordance with the agreement of 1 October 2008 on salaried PhD scholars between the Ministry of Finance and AC (the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations).

The successful candidate will be enrolled at this university in accordance with faculty regulations and the Danish Ministerial Order on the PhD Programme at the Universities (PhD order).

The university encourages all persons interested in the position to apply, regardless of their age, gender, religious affiliation or ethnic background.

Application must be made in the form of a Declaration of Interest including the following:

• A letter stating your specific interest, motivation and qualifications for the project in question (max. two pages)
• Detailed CV, including personal contact information
• Certified copy of diploma
• Reference letters, signed

All applications should be marked: “Job ID 103032”.

Further information about the PhD-study can be found at the homepage of the University.

Applications must be forwarded by e-mail (in Adobe PDF format or Word XP 2003 legible format) to sciencejobs@sdu.dk.

Incomplete applications and applications received after the deadline will neither be considered nor evaluated. This also applies to reference letters.

Closing date 29 June, 2010 at 12 noon
Location: Odense

Mark application Job ID 103032 and send it to:

Det Naturvidenskabelige Fakultetssekretariat
Syddansk Universitet
Campusvej 55
5230 Odense M
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