Job ad
ActivePostdoc in Plant Biochemistry
The Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences invites applicants for a postdoc fellowship in plant biochemistry, financed by a grant from the Novo Nordisk Foundation.
The start date is 1 October 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter. The employment is for 18 months.
The project
The use of fertilizers in current agricultural systems results in The field of biological nitrification inhibitors (BNIs) has gained increasing attention over the past decades as a promising strategy to mitigate fertilizer-derived greenhouse gas emissions in the global north and improve yields with reduced nitrogen inputs in the global south. Yet, despite more than 20 years of research, only a limited number of BNI compounds have been identified and characterized, and their precise mode of action remains largely unknown [8]. This lack of mechanistic insight hampers the integration of BNI traits into breeding programs.
The project capitalizes on a newly developed pipeline for identification of new BNI compounds with comparable efficiency to the current marketed synthetic nitrification inhibitors.
This project combines bioinformatics, biochemistry and molecular biology to elucidate missing biosynthetic enzymes to reconstruct complete metabolic pathways in yeast for bioproduction of biological nitrification inhibitors.
Who are we looking for?
We are looking for candidates within the fields of Biology, analytical chemistry, biochemistry, molecular biology, bioinformatics or biotechnology, who wish to join a dynamic research group working on plant biochemistry and biosynthesis of specialized metabolites.
Our group and research- and what do we offer?
The successful applicant will join Tomas Laursen and the Dynamic Metabolons Research Group, which specializes in the organization of biosynthetic pathways for production of bioactive compounds. The project is part of several ongoing research projects within the group focusing on understanding how plant produce and secrete bioactive compounds from the roots.
The Dynamic Metabolons research Group is a part of the the Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, which hosts four major Sections spanning from molecular biology to crop science and environmental chemistry.
We offer creative and stimulating working conditions in a dynamic and international research environment. Our research facilities include modern laboratories, plant growth facilities, and a metabolomics platform hosted within the Section.
The principal supervisor is Associate Professor Tomas Laursen, tola@plen.ku.dk.
We are looking for the following qualifications:
Your application including all attachments must be in English and submitted electronically by clicking APPLY NOW below.
Please include:
The deadline for applications is 9 September 2026, 23:59 GMT+1.
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 deadline, a number of applicants will be selected for academic assessment by an unbiased expert assessor. You are notified, whether you will be passed for assessment.
The assessor will assess the qualifications and experience of the shortlisted applicants with respect to the above mentioned research area, techniques, skills and other requirements. The assessor will conclude whether each applicant is qualified and, if so, for which of the two models. The assessed applicants will have the opportunity to comment on their assessment. You can read about the recruitment process at http://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/.
Interviews with selected candidates are expected to be held during the first two weeks of september 2026.
Questions
For specific information about the Postdoc, please contact the principal supervisor.
The University of Copenhagen wishes to reflect the surrounding community and invites all regardless of personal background to apply for the position.
The start date is 1 October 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter. The employment is for 18 months.
The project
The use of fertilizers in current agricultural systems results in The field of biological nitrification inhibitors (BNIs) has gained increasing attention over the past decades as a promising strategy to mitigate fertilizer-derived greenhouse gas emissions in the global north and improve yields with reduced nitrogen inputs in the global south. Yet, despite more than 20 years of research, only a limited number of BNI compounds have been identified and characterized, and their precise mode of action remains largely unknown [8]. This lack of mechanistic insight hampers the integration of BNI traits into breeding programs.
The project capitalizes on a newly developed pipeline for identification of new BNI compounds with comparable efficiency to the current marketed synthetic nitrification inhibitors.
This project combines bioinformatics, biochemistry and molecular biology to elucidate missing biosynthetic enzymes to reconstruct complete metabolic pathways in yeast for bioproduction of biological nitrification inhibitors.
Who are we looking for?
We are looking for candidates within the fields of Biology, analytical chemistry, biochemistry, molecular biology, bioinformatics or biotechnology, who wish to join a dynamic research group working on plant biochemistry and biosynthesis of specialized metabolites.
Our group and research- and what do we offer?
The successful applicant will join Tomas Laursen and the Dynamic Metabolons Research Group, which specializes in the organization of biosynthetic pathways for production of bioactive compounds. The project is part of several ongoing research projects within the group focusing on understanding how plant produce and secrete bioactive compounds from the roots.
The Dynamic Metabolons research Group is a part of the the Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, which hosts four major Sections spanning from molecular biology to crop science and environmental chemistry.
We offer creative and stimulating working conditions in a dynamic and international research environment. Our research facilities include modern laboratories, plant growth facilities, and a metabolomics platform hosted within the Section.
The principal supervisor is Associate Professor Tomas Laursen, tola@plen.ku.dk.
We are looking for the following qualifications:
- Professional qualifications relevant to the Postdoc project
- Relevant publications
- Relevant work experience
- Other relevant professional activities
- Curious mind-set with a strong interest in the research field
- Excellent English language skills
Your application including all attachments must be in English and submitted electronically by clicking APPLY NOW below.
Please include:
- Motivated letter of application
- Curriculum vitae including information about your education, experience, language skills and other skills relevant for the position
- Original diplomas for BSc and MSc degrees and transcript of records in the original language, including an authorized English translation if issued in a language other than English or Danish. If the latest degree has not been completed, please include a certified/signed copy of a recent transcript of records and a written statement from the institution or supervisor.
- Publication list (if possible)
- Reference letters (if available)
The deadline for applications is 9 September 2026, 23:59 GMT+1.
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 deadline, a number of applicants will be selected for academic assessment by an unbiased expert assessor. You are notified, whether you will be passed for assessment.
The assessor will assess the qualifications and experience of the shortlisted applicants with respect to the above mentioned research area, techniques, skills and other requirements. The assessor will conclude whether each applicant is qualified and, if so, for which of the two models. The assessed applicants will have the opportunity to comment on their assessment. You can read about the recruitment process at http://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/.
Interviews with selected candidates are expected to be held during the first two weeks of september 2026.
Questions
For specific information about the Postdoc, please contact the principal supervisor.
The University of Copenhagen wishes to reflect the surrounding community and invites all regardless of personal background to apply for the position.
Job summary
- Employer
- KU - SCIENCE - PLEN
- Workplace
- Frb. Campus område , Thorvaldsensvej 40 2, 1871 Frb. C
- Published
- Application deadline
- Vacancies
- 1