Postdoc in Genomics Driven Discovery and Engineering of Fungal Natural Products

Danmarks Tekniske Universitet

Lyngby-Taarbæk, 1 stilling

A postdoc position is open within the Section for Eukaryotic Biotechnology (SEB), one of five research sections at the Department of Systems Biology, at The Technical University of Denmark. SEB is dedicated to the exploitation of biodiversity as a source of new compounds and, through the understanding of cell biology and physiology, use systems and synthetic biology to design advanced cell factories. The profile of the section comprises research groups with competencies in mycology, molecular biology, analytical natural product chemistry, bioinformatics and fermentation technology.



The focus of the current research project will be genomics driven mining and engineering of the currently rapidly increasing number of genomes within genus Aspergillus of clusters encoding novel polyketide derived natural products.



The postdoc project will be affiliated to the Natural Product Discovery Group, currently hosting two other postdoc’s and 4 related PhD projects. Moreover the project will be performed in close collaboration with other groups within the Section for Eucaryotic Biotechnology.



In brief this multidiciplinary project can be divided into several parts: (i) Identification and characterization of selected polyketide biosynthetic gene clusters; (ii) comparative genomics using selected polyketide genes as bait in over 300 Aspergillus genomes; (iii) metabolomic analysis of the fungi containing hit clusters; (iv) expression of novel gene clusters; (v) creation of artificial biosynthetic pathways; (vi) bioactivity evaluation of the obtained compounds.



Qualifications

Candidates should have a PhD degree or equivalent.



In assessment of the applicants for the position, the following will be taken into consideration:

•Your PhD degree must have been obtained within the last 32 months

(you can however not apply if you have had a recent position at DTU)

•You have obtained a PhD degree within fungal molecular biology, bioinformatics, or analytical natural product chemistry, or preferably at the interphase between at least two of these diciplines

•Strong documentation of skills within analytical chemistry using LC-DAD-HRMS, including experience with NMR-based structural elucidation of small molecules

•Documentation for skills within molecular biology, microbiology or bioinformatics

•Our research group very much work as a team and documentation of collaborative skills via recommendation letters will be advantageous

•You must have a good command of English



We offer

We offer an interesting and challenging job in an international environment focusing on education, research, public-sector consultancy and innovation, which contribute to enhancing the economy and improving social welfare. We strive for academic excellence, collegial respect and freedom tempered by responsibility. The Technical University of Denmark (DTU) is a leading technical university in northern Europe and benchmarks with the best universities in the world.



Salary and terms of employment

The appointment will be based on the collective agreement with the Confederation of Professional Associations. The allowance will be agreed with the relevant union.



Start of two years employment 1th of February 2016 or soon after.



Further information

Further information may be obtained from Associated Professor Thomas O. Larsen, + 45 4525 2632 email: tol@bio.dtu.dk



You can read more about the Department of Systems Biology on http://www.bio.dtu.dk/english/Research/Research-groups/Natural-product-discovery.



Application procedure:

Please submit your online application no later than 23 December 2015.



Applications must be submitted as one PDF file containing all materials to be given consideration. To apply, please open the link "Apply online," fill in the online application form, and attach all your materials in English in one PDF file. The file must include:

•Application (cover letter)

•CV

•Diploma (an official translation into English)

•List of publications



Applications and enclosures received after the deadline will not be considered.



All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, disability, race, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply.



DTU Systems Biology's academic profile covers the fields of cellular, molecular and structural biology, bioinformatics, industrial biotechnology, biomedicine and health. The systems biology approach addresses both the overall properties of a biological system and uses scientific approaches to understand specific mechanisms. Therefore, much of the work carried out by the research groups at the Department is characterized by the incorporation of several academic disciplines.



Fundamental biological research constitutes the point of departure for technological innovation at DTU Systems Biology, and we put great emphasis on transforming scientific perceptions into advanced technical applications. This view applies to our research as well as to our study programmes. DTU Systems Biology has approximately 230 employees, comprising faculty members, PhD students, technicians and administrative staff.



DTU is a technical university providing internationally leading research, education, innovation and public service. Our staff of 5,800 advance science and technology to create innovative solutions that meet the demands of society; and our 10,300 students are being educated to address the technological challenges of the future. DTU is an independent academic university collaborating globally with business, industry, government, and public agencies.