Postdoctoral position on the role of cesarean section on gut microbiota, immunity, and development of allergy and asthma University of Copenhagen, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences Denmark

Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen is offering a postdoc position commencing1 March 2019 (or soon thereafter) until 28 February 2022.  

Information on the Department can be found at: www.ivh.sund.ku.dk  

The postdoc will work on a project ‘Mode of delivery – effects on future health and new microbiota-directed therapeutics’ granted by the Independent Research Fund. It is expected that the post doc will take part in the general activities of this multi-partner project. 

The postdoc will be placed at the Section of Experimental Animal Models. The purpose of the research group is to strengthen our understanding of how external factors regulating the gut environment during early life gestation and weaning contribute to long-term effects on the host immune and metabolic systems, and how this may impact disease outcome in animal models for human inflammatory diseases.
 

Job description  

Delivery mode has substantial effect on the gut microbiota composition and the child’s risk of developing allergy or asthma. The three-year postdoc project aims to test whether cesarean section-induced allergic disease manifestations are mediated by a change in the gut microbiota. This will include human fecal microbiota transplantation into germ-free mice at our gnotobiotic animal facility, and dietary intervention studies in animal models of allergy and asthma to test potential microbiota-directed therapeutics. Parts of the microbiome studies will take place at the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, and a short research stay should be expected.  

1/3 of the position will be teaching responsibilities for various teaching tasks within laboratory animal science, as well as being involved in other smaller projects within the same field. 

Required qualifications 

• A PhD degree (or positive evaluation) in biological, veterinary, or medical sciences 

• Function ABD/Category C course to carry out animal experiments 

• Experience in animal research preferable within experimental immunology and histopathology 

• Experience in allergy research  

• Teaching experience 

• High level of motivation, responsibility, and flexibility 

• Strong collaboration and good interpersonal skills  

• Excellent communication skills in English (written and oral) 

Preferred qualifications 

• Experience with gnotobiotic work and microbiota-related techniques 

• Experience teaching and examining/censoring experimental animal courses at EU function ABD level 

Terms of employment 

Salary and other terms and conditions of appointment are set in accordance with the Agreement between the Ministry of Finance and AC (Danish Confederation of Professional Associations) or other relevant professional organizations. The position is covered by the “Memorandum on Job Structure for Academic Staff at Universities” of June 2013. 

Questions 

For further information contact Camilla Hartmann Friis Hansen on phone (+45) 35333756 or e-mail: camfriis@sund.ku.dk  

Foreign applicants may find the following links useful: www.ism.ku.dk (International Staff Mobility) and www.workingconditions.ku.dk 

Application Procedure 

Applications - in English - must include: 

• Application detailing the basis on which the applicant wishes his or her scientific, teaching and other qualifications to be assessed 

• Curriculum vitae  

• Diplomas – all relevant certificates 

• A complete list of publications 

• A maximum of 5 relevant scientific works which the applicant wishes to have included in the assessment 

• Teaching portfolio including teaching experience and competences, development of educational material, and experience with examinations and/or censorship 

• Personal reference letters 

Please note that the application will be contacted if the assessment committee requires further documentation. 

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

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

Please submit the application with the required attachments by clicking on "Apply online".  

The closing date for applications is 1 February 2019  

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. 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 https://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/   

The Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences comprises approximately 8000 students, 1500 PhD students and 4700 employees (including part time lecturers). 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. 

Founded in 1479, the University of Copenhagen is the oldest university in Denmark. With 37,000 students and 9,000 employees, it is among the largest universities in Scandinavia and one of the highest ranking in Europe. The University consists of six faculties, which cover Health and Medical Sciences, Humanities, Law, Science, Social Sciences and Theology.