Department of Plant and Environmental Science, Section for Plant Biochemistry, invites applicants for several postdoctoral positions within the topics of using computational biology and artificial intelligence to understand gene function in plants. The aim is to use recent advances in machine learning, large language models and the generation of high-throughput data to gain new insights into how plant genes function and are regulated spatiotemporally.

The projects are part of the Starting Grant package awarded to Assoc. Prof. Marek Mutwil, which is financed by The Novo Nordisk Foundation.

Start date is 1 February 2025 or as soon as possible thereafter. Employment period is 2 years

The postdoc’s duties will include research within Artificial Intelligence and Computational Biology. as well as teaching. The post may also include performance of other duties.

Further information on the Department is linked at http://www.science.ku.dk/english/about-the-faculty/organisation/ . Inquiries about the position can be made to Marek Mutwil, mutwil@plen.ku.dk .

The projects
Please take a look at the Abiotic stress ( https://publish.obsidian.md/mutwillab/Homepage/Our+research/Abiotic+stress ) Bioinformatics ( https://publish.obsidian.md/mutwillab/Homepage/Our+research/Bioinformatics ) Evolution ( https://publish.obsidian.md/mutwillab/Homepage/Our+research/Evolution ) and Specialized metabolism ( https://publish.obsidian.md/mutwillab/Homepage/Our+research/Specialized+metabolism ) sections to identify topics that interest you. Currently, we only have positions open for computational biologists, so proficiency in Python/R or a burning desire to learn this is a must.

Who are we looking for?

• You have a Ph D degree in molecular biology, biochemistry (or related) and keen interest in programming, algorithm development, mathematics, complexity, and puzzles;

• Or, Ph D in mathematics, physics, bioinformatics (or related) and are interested to learn plant cultivation methods;

• You have strong analytical and problem-solving skills;

• You have experience with programming (preferred Python), or high interest to learn it;

• You are proficient in spoken and written English, have excellent communication and writing skills and are interested in working in a highly interdisciplinary team of experimentalists, theorists, and computational scientists;

• You are independent, creative and have team spirit.

Responsibilities

• Achieve key performance indicators of the research project

• Become proficient in the technical skills and knowledge required to complete the project

• Design and implement the bioinformatics analyses

• Supervise and train research staff and undergraduate students

• Participate in writing research proposals

• Regularly communicate research progress

• Present data on regular group meetings

• Present results on external conferences and meetings

• Take lead in writing manuscripts

Why Mutwil lab, PLEN, University of Copenhagen and Denmark?
Mutwil lab is focusing on using computational biology, machine learning, artificial intelligence and big data from biology to answer a multitude of questions pertaining gene function prediction, how plants cope with environmental stress, how they synthesize valuable chemicals and how they evolve. Thus, our lab addresses some of the most pertinent challenges (stress resilience, synthetic biology, crop engineering) and employs cross-disciplinary methods to acheive these aims.

The Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences (PLEN) at the University of Copenhagen focuses on plants, animals, soil and microorganisms – from molecules through organisms to populations and anthropogenic ecosystems. With >100 professors and >700 employees working on diverse topics, it is a vibrant and one of the largest departments in Denmark.

The University of Copenhagen is a research-led university which provides research and education of the highest international standards. With over 40,000 students and more than 9,000 employees, the University of Copenhagen (UCPH) is one of the largest institutions of research and education in the Nordic countries. According to QS World University Rankings® 2016, UCPH is the highest ranked university in the Nordic region and number 20 in Europe.

According to Forbes, Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark, is officially the best city in the world for a healthy balance between personal life and work. Data shows that Copenhagen ranks highly on various lifestyle related factors, including second in the World Happiness Index and first for gender equality according to the Gender Inequality Index.

The University wishes our staff to reflect the diversity of society and thus welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background.

Terms of employment
The position is covered by the Memorandum on Job Structure for Academic Staff.

Terms of appointment and payment accord to the agreement between the Ministry of Finance and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State.

Negotiation for salary supplement is possible.

The application, in English, must be submitted electronically by clicking APPLY NOW below.

Please include

• Curriculum vitae
• Diplomas (Master and Ph D degree or equivalent)
• Research plan – description of current and future research plans
• Complete publication list
• Separate reprints of 3 particularly relevant papers

The deadline for applications is 30 November 2024, 23:59 GMT +1 .

After the expiry of the deadline for applications, the authorized recruitment manager selects applicants for assessment on the advice of the Interview Committee.

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