phd fellowship in rna biology and co-transcriptional processing in the gregersen group at the...

We are offering a PhD fellowship to a talented and highly motivated student interested in investigating how RNA-binding proteins regulate co-transcriptional processing. The successful candidate will be employed in the newly established Gregersen group at the Institute of Cellular and Molecular Medicine (ICMM) at the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen.

*About the group and the institute*

The newly started Gregersen group will be located at the ICMM from February 2021. The research group is funded by a Hallas-Møller Emerging Investigator grant from the Novo Nordisk Foundation.

The group focuses on various aspects of co-transcriptional regulation primarily mediated by RNA-binding proteins. Recent papers include: Gregersen et al. 2019 Cell [PMID: 31104839] and Gregersen et al. 2020 Nature Protocols [PMID: 31915390].

We use a wide range of experimental approaches including cell biology, next-generation sequencing (RNA-seq, TTchem-seq, mNET-seq, ChIP-seq, CLIP etc.) as well as molecular biology techniques (western blots, immunoprecipitations, peptide pull-outs and proteomics) to decipher the molecular mechanisms of factors involved in co-transcriptional regulation and the composition of transcription complexes.

The Gregersen group represents cutting-edge interdisciplinary research and training, and will be located within the ICMM in the Panum Institute. We will have access to state-of-the-art facilities for cell engineering, next-generation sequencing, flow cytometry, and mass spectrometry.

For more information about our research please see: https://icmm.ku.dk/english/research-groups/gregersen-group/

*Project description*

The project is funded by the Novo Nordisk Foundation and will be focused on understanding how RNA-binding proteins interacting with RNA polymerase couple RNA-binding and/or processing to transcriptional regulation and co-transcriptional processing of the newly made RNA transcript. The project involves generation of human cell lines using CRISPR/Cas technologies combined with profiling of transcription using a combination of RNA-seq approaches. The aim of the project is to improve our understanding of regulation of transcription and use this knowledge to increase our understanding of the molecular processes underlying diseases. The role of the candidate will primarily be to perform experiments in the laboratory, analyse and interpret data, scientific publication, and undertake training, as well as attend scientific seminars and conferences.

*Principal supervisor is Lea H. Gregersen, ICMM, (Gregersen email)*

*Start:* 1 March 2021 or soon thereafter.

*Duration:* 3 years as a PhD student.

*Job description*

Your key tasks as a PhD student at SUND are:

* Carry out an independent research project under supervision

* Complete PhD courses or other equivalent education corresponding to approx. 30 ECTS points

* Obtain experience with teaching or other types of dissemination related to your PhD project

* Teach and disseminate your knowledge

* Write a PhD thesis on the grounds of your project

*Key criteria for the assessment of applicants*

The candidate is expected to have a strong interest in fundamental scientific discoveries. Previous experience with any of the following is highly desirable (but not mandatory):

* Molecular biology (PCR, cloning)

* Mammalian cell culture and genome editing (CRISPR/Cas)

* Western blotting

* Immunoprecipitation and protein complex purification

* High-throughput RNA sequencing

Other important criteria are:

* The grade point average achieved

* Professional qualifications relevant to the PhD project

* Previous publications

* Relevant work experience

* Other professional activities

* Curious mind-set with a strong interest in transcription

* Excellent English skills written and spoken

*Place of employment*

The place of employment is at the Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine (ICMM), University of Copenhagen. ICMM offers a creative and ambitious scientific environment, with many different nationalities represented. ICMM aims to produce research with high international impact focusing on the functional cell, its genetic components and molecular cellular mechanisms in a medical context. ICMM currently comprises five research programs, three high profile Research Centers as well as a number of international research groups. The scientists at ICMM are involved in high quality research based undergraduate and graduate teaching programs at the University of Copenhagen. More information can be found at www.icmm.ku.dk

*Terms of employment*

The employment as PhD fellow is full time and for 3 years commencing on 1 March 2021 or as soon as possible hereafter.

It 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 formulated by the applicant.

The PhD study must be completed in accordance with The Ministerial Order on the PhD programme (2013) and the University’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 begins around 27,590 DKK /approx. 3,700 EUR (April 2020-level) plus pension.

*Questions*

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

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

*Application procedure*

Your application must be submitted electronically by clicking ‘Apply now’ below. Only applications submitted through the online system will be considered. The application must include the following documents in PDF format:

1. Motivated letter of application (max. one page)

2. CV incl. education, experience, language skills and other skills relevant for the position

3. Degree diploma and transcript of records. If not completed, a certified/signed copy of a recent transcript of records or a written statement from the institution or supervisor will be sufficient.

4. Publication list (if possible)

*Application deadline: 7 December 2020, 23.59pm 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 authorized 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.

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

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

The Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences comprises approximately 7850 students, 1700 PhD students and 4800 employees. The Faculty advances the field of health sciences through its core activities: research, teaching, knowledge sharing and communication. With basic research fields ranging from molecular studies to studies of society, the Faculty contributes to a healthy future through its graduates, research findings and inventions benefitting patients and the community. The University of Copenhagen wishes to reflect the surrounding community and invites all regardless of personal background to apply for the position.