Postdoc of Plant Natural Product Biosynthesis or Transport

Plant natural products represent a vast array of useful molecules including pharmaceutical drugs, nutraceuticals, colorants, and fragances. However, some plant natural products that accumulate in edible crops are associated with toxicity and can interfere with human nutrition. Very little is know about how these “anti-nutrients” are made and moved around in their respective crop plants. Uncovering the molecular basis of anti-nutrient biosynthesis and transport will enable the design of future crops with improved nutritional profiles.

We are looking for postdoc candidates with a background in chemistry, biochemistry, molecular biology, or biotechnology, who wish to uncover the biosynthesis and transport of anti-nutrients in promising legume crops. Relevant experience includes natural product synthesis, elucidation of metabolic pathways, discovery & characterization of transporters, or nutritional improvement of crops using biotechnology.

The postdoc’s duties will include research as well as grant writing and teaching. The post may also include performance of other duties.

The successful applicant will join the Geu-Flores group, which specializes in the biosynthesis and transport of alkaloids in plants, including quinolizidine alkaloids in lupins and favism-causing agents in faba bean. The transport work will be carried out in collaboration with the Nour-Eldin group. Metabolite imaging can be accessed through collaboration with the Bjarnholt group.

The Geu-Flores group is a part of the Section for Plant Biochemistry, which hosts several research groups working on plant natural product biosynthesis, including cyanogenic glucosides, terpenoids, and saponins. The section belongs to the Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, which hosts eight sections spanning from molecular biology to crop science and environmental chemistry.

Inquiries about the position can be made to Associate Professor Fernando Geu-Flores, [email protected], +45-60571982.

The position is open from 1 August 2024 or as soon as possible thereafter.

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

• Cover letter, including any preferences for working on biosynthesis or transport
• Curriculum vitae, including references
• Diplomas (Master and PhD degree or equivalent)
• Description of previous research (max. 2 pages)
• Complete publication list
• Separate reprints of up to 3 relevant papers

The deadline for applications is Sunday 17 March 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/.

Interviews are expected to be held during the first week of April 2024.