University of Copenhagen Denmark 2022 PhD fellow in Plant-microbiome assembly: (Deadline 21 August 2022)

The PhD student will be part of Section of Microbiology, headed by Prof. Søren J. Sørensen. His research group focuses on social interactions in microbial populations in in-vivo systems such as soils, plants, animals and humans. The section houses state of the art culture-independent experimental infrastructure that enables us to examine how microbes interact at a scale that is relevant for such small organisms and study the roles of the individual species in these interactions. To do so we use techniques such as high throughput sequencing, flow cytometry, ultra-high resolution bioimaging, confocal microscopy and microbial reporter systems.

The group is a part of Department of Biology, Faculty of SCIENCE, University of Copenhagen. We are located in Copenhagen.

Novel strategies for eco-friendly and sustainable food production seek to explore and exploit the potential of the plant-microbiome to promote growth, acquire nutrients and induce resistance against pests and pathogens.  Yet, we lack a fundamental understanding of the ecological factors controlling the establishment of a beneficial plant-microbiome. Hence, we seek to test the ecological and evolutionary role of microbe-microbe interaction in the assembly and maturation of complex plant root microbiomes. The project is part of the research project “Underground Networking – Social interactions in the Plant Root Microbiome (UNICOM)”, which is financed by the Independent Research Fund, Denmark.

This project investigates the role of microbial interactions as key drivers for microbiome composition and activity, specifically focussing on interspecies cooperation/competition and the resulting priority effects. We work with the overarching hypothesis that microbial communities are composed of collaboromes, rather than independent species, that are characterized by being microscale focal points of interdependent bacteria showing essential microbe-microbe interactions. The emergent properties of these collaboromes present many beneficial consequences for plant growth and health.

The experimental design of this project goes beyond simple co-occurrence in bulk microbiome samples. Instead, it focusses on co-occurrence network analysis on microscale samples, which is complemented with detailed co-localization analyses to identify putative interactions. Finally, selected identified putative interactions are experimentally validated in simple microcosm experiments.

About University of Copenhagen (UCPH)

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University of Copenhagen PhD Scholarship

• Type PhD
• Organisation University of Copenhagen (UCPH)
• Country to study Denmark
• School to study University of Copenhagen.
• Course to study Not specified
• State of Origin
• Gender Men and Women
• Application Deadline August 21, 2022

Requirements for University of Copenhagen PhD Scholarship Qualification

• Applicants should hold an MSc degree in Plant-Biology, Microbiology, Bioinformatics, Biochemistry, Biotechnology or similar with good results and good English skills. As criteria for the assessment of your qualification emphasis will also be laid on previous publications (if any) and relevant work experience. The MSc degree has to be awarded prior to the employment date.
• We are seeking a highly motivated and ambitious individual with good interpersonal and communication skills. Highly desired candidates will have a solid theoretical background of plant-microbiome interactions. As well as practical experience with techniques in microbiology and molecular biology. A strong interest in bioinformatics and/or bioimaging is also considered advantageous.
• Experience with plants experimental work, including cultivation, maintenance, and site-specific sampling of microbial communities in the rhizosphere; rhizoplane, and endosphere.
• Experience with any or all of the following methodology: FISH detection in combination with CLSM microscope imaging and FACS analyses, molecular cloning, preparation of sequencing libraries (Illumina, PacBio, ONT), analysis of sequencing data.

Application Deadline

August 21, 2022