International PhD Positions in Protein Analysis Group

Job description
Proteins are versatile and highly potent drug candidates and account for a rapidly growing number of new drugs in development. Specialized analytical tools are needed to characterize these large and complex biomolecules. Hydrogen/deuterium exchange mass spectrometry (HDX-MS) has become an established analytical technique that can provide unique insights into the conformation, dynamics and interactions of proteins in solution. In a collaboration between the Protein Analysis Group and the Microscale Analytical Systems Group, we will develop microfluidic solutions to improve the HDX-MS method.
The overall aim of both PhD projects is to build on existing work in the group and develop and apply microfluidic components and couple these to mass spectrometry to realize an improved workflow for HDX-MS. The developed microfluidic HDX-MS solutions will be used to investigate several complex protein systems of therapeutic interest.
The two PhD candidates will work in the Protein Analysis Group under the supervision of Professor MSO Kasper Rand (primary supervisor), in close collaboration with the Microscale Analytical Systems Group (co-supervisors Prof. Jorg Kutter or Associate Professor Nickolaj Petersen). The two PhD fellowships are funded through a grant from the European Research Councils (ERC Consolidator Grant).
The key tasks as a PhD student are:

• Carry through an independent research project under supervision (see above)
• Complete PhD courses or other equivalent education corresponding to approx. 30 ECTS points
• Participate in active research environments including a stay at another research team
• 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

Applicants must have must have qualifications corresponding to a master’s degree within either of the following fields: microfluidics, analytical chemistry, protein mass spectrometry or HDX-MS. Applicants with lab-based experience within one or more of these areas will be preferred, particularly relevant is the field of microfluidics. The most successful applications will be those with experience with working at the interface between the fields of microfluidics, analytical chemistry and/or protein mass spectrometry/HDX-MS. Finally, the PhD candidates will be expected to engage in some teaching in analytical chemistry at either bachelor or master level courses.
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 the fields of study described above.
• Language skills

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 27.780 DKK /approx. 3.730 EUR (April 2021-level) plus pension.