Denmark Scholarships
PhD fellowship: Local delivery in the gastrointestinal tract by use of microcontainers
The Department of Pharmacy
is offering a three-year PhD fellowship in Pharmaceutics. The PhD fellowship is financed by The Danish National Research Foundation and Villum Foundation’s Center for Intelligent Drug Delivery and Sensing Using Microcontainers and Nanomechanics (IDUN) and the Department of Pharmacy. The fellowship is commencing 1 January 2018 or as soon as possible thereafter.
The Danish National Research Foundation and Villum Foundation’s Center for Intelligent Drug Delivery and Sensing Using Microcontainers and Nanomechanics (IDUN) is a center of excellence divided into two parts: IDUN Drug, focusing on design, realization and characterization of micrometer sized containers (microcontainers) for oral administration of drugs, and IDUN Sensor, focusing on development and exploration of nanomechanical biosensors for multiple purposes. By maintaining and strengthening the coupling between sensor and material development, IDUN creates a unique international environment with high creativity across scientific borders.
Project description
Targeted delivery to the lower part of the small intestine or the colon is desired when treating e.g. inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). IBD covers Crohns disease and ulcerative colitis; both are complex autoimmune diseases characterized by inflammation of the digestive system and need to be treated locally. Several approaches for delivery to the lower intestine and the colon exist, often release is triggered by pH, but microbial enzymatic activity can also be responsible for the release. However, all these approaches have shown a great variability in effect and therefore a more reproducible delivery to the lower intestine is needed. In IBD an additional concern is the release of the drug at the site of action, namely the areas of inflammation, this can be facilitated by targeting ligands, but is still a relatively unexplored area.
Microcontainers are small polymeric cylinders, filled with drug formulation, and closed in one end. They allow for protection of the loaded drug against e.g. the low pH in the stomach and also provide the possibility of unidirectional release of the drug directly to the small intestinal epithelium. The site and rate of drug release can be governed by coating the opening of the microcontainers. In close collaboration with DTU Nanotech, who are developing and producing the microcontainers, this project will explore feasibility of functionalizing the coat to achieve drug release at the desired site of action. Initially, preclinical models of IBD in rodents will be established, and these will be applied for the evaluation of the potential of microcontainers for targeted oral drug delivery. Focus will be on designing the coat on the microcontainers in order to facilitate the desired release profile, as well as the active targeting towards the inflammatory lesions in the gastro-intestinal tract.
Principal supervisor
Principal supervisor is Professor Anette Müllertz, Department of Pharmacy, E-mail:
, direct Phone: +45 2062 0154.
Required qualifications
As an applicant you must have:
- Obtained a Master´s degree in Pharmacy, Biochemistry, Biology or a related field prior to the starting date
- Fluency in English and excellent communication skills
Preferred qualifications
We are looking for a highly motivated individual with a strong background in/experience with pharmaceutical development and preclinical studies.
Job description
Your key tasks as a PhD fellow at the Faculty are to:
- Carry through an independent research project under supervision
- Write scientific articles and the PhD thesis on the grounds of your research project
- Complete PhD courses or other equivalent education corresponding to approx. 30 ECTS points
- Obtain experience with teaching or other types of dissemination related to your PhD project
- Participate in the undergraduate teaching of students in pharmaceutical sciences
- Participate in national and international congresses and scientific meetings
- Stay at an external research institution, preferably abroad
Key criteria for the assessment of applicants
- Professional qualifications relevant to the PhD programme
- Relevant work experience
- Previous publications
- The grade point average achieved
- Other professional activities
- Language skills
- The successful applicant is also required to be enterprising and to possess good interpersonal skills
Formal requirements
The successful applicant will be requested to formally apply for enrolment as a PhD student at the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences according to the rules stipulated in the Ministerial order on the PhD programme at the universities (PhD order) from the Ministry of Science, Innovation, and Higher Education and the guidelines for the
PhD programme
at the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences.
The PhD student is expected to be affiliated to the graduate programme in pharmaceutical sciences,
Drug Research Academy
.
Terms of employment
The position as a PhD fellow is available for a 3-year period.
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 Protocol on Job Structure.
Minimum monthly salary is DKK 26,073 (taxable) + pension contribution.
Application procedure
The application, in English, must be submitted electronically by clicking APPLY NOW below.
Your application must contain:
- Cover letter: Letter stating the interest in and qualifications for the project (max. one page)
- Full CV
- Diploma and transcripts of records: Master´s degree diploma (including grade transcripts for bachelor´s and master´s degrees). Applicants with a Master´s degree from abroad should also enclose a short description of the grading scale used
- Possible publication list
- Other information to consider: Possible references and recommendations
The University of Copenhagen wishes to encourage everyone interested in this post to apply, regardless of personal background.
Deadline for applications: 10 December 2017
Please note that only online applications will be accepted.
Applications received later than this date will not be considered.
Post application procedure
After the expiry of the deadline for applications, the authorized recruitment manager selects applicants for assessment on the advice of the Appointments Committee.
All applicants are then immediately notified whether their application has been passed for assessment by an expert assessment committee.
Selected applicants are notified of the composition of the committee and 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
http://employment.ku.dk
The Appointments Committee consists of the supervision group and the Head of Department who is the authorized recruitment manager. The Expert Assessment Committee consists of the principal supervisor.
An answer as to the granting of the fellowship can be expected approx. 4 weeks after application deadline.
Questions
For further information, applicants may contact the supervisor or Administrator Marianne W. Jørgensen, E-mail:
, direct phone: +45 3533 6449.
Part of the International Alliance of Research Universities (IARU), and among Europe’s top-ranking universities, the University of Copenhagen promotes research and teaching of the highest international standard. Rich in tradition and modern in outlook, the University gives students and staff the opportunity to cultivate their talent in an ambitious and informal environment. An effective organisation – with good working conditions and a collaborative work culture – creates the ideal framework for a successful academic career.
Denmark Scholarships
Two PhD positions: Post-transcriptional gene regulation in plants
Two PhD positions are available at the Section for Computional and RNA Biology, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen starting in April 2018 or as soon as possible thereafter.
Project
The 3-year project aims at understanding mechanisms and biological functions of post-transcriptional gene regulation via small RNAs and RNA modifications in plants.
The group uses the plant Arabidopsis thaliana as model organism, and we use a variety of genetic, biochemical, biophysical and bioinformatic techniques in our work. We are interested in obtaining a molecular understanding of how plant cells distinguish self from non-self RNA, and how this distinction is coupled to amplification of siRNAs on non-self RNA templates. We are also interested in addressing how newly synthesized small RNAs get efficiently incorporated into active silencing complexes.
Qualifications
We are looking for highly motivated individuals with an M.Sc. degree in molecular biology or similar. Prior knowledge of RNA silencing and experience with Arabidopsis as a model system are advantages, but not strict requirements. The positions are open to all applicants regardless of nationality.
Application
The application must contain:
• A letter of motivation for the application, explaining the applicants background and reasons for applying
• A curriculum vitae (max 1 page)
• List of peer-reviewed publications (may include papers under review)
• Copy of Bachelor and Masters Diplomas and transcripts – other relevant certificates, including grades.
Candidates are encouraged to include abstracts of papers in press or under review. Letters of recommendation may be included at the end of the application or sent directly by the referee.
Procedures and shortlisting
After the expiry of the deadline for applications, the authorized recruitment manager selects applicants for assessment on the advice of the Interview Committee. Afterwards an assessment committee will be appointed to evaluate the selected applications. The applicants will be notified of the composition of the committee and the final selection of a successful candidate will be made by the Head of Department, based on the recommendations of the assessment committee and the interview committee.
The main criterion for selection will be the research potential of the applicant and the above mentioned skills. The successful candidates will then be requested to formally apply for enrolment as a PhD student at the PhD school of Science. You can read more about the recruitment process at
http://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/
.
Terms of employment
The positions are 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.
The starting salary is currently at a minimum DKK 317.448 including annual supplement (+ pension up to DKK 43.848). Negotiation for salary supplement is possible.
The University wishes our staff to reflect the diversity of society and thus welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background.
Application procedure
The application, in English, must be submitted electronically by clicking APPLY NOW below.
The deadline for applications is February 20, 2018, 23:59 GMT+1
For further information on the projects please contact Associate Professor Peter Brodersen, email [email protected].
Part of the International Alliance of Research Universities (IARU), and among Europe’s top-ranking universities, the University of Copenhagen promotes research and teaching of the highest international standard. Rich in tradition and modern in outlook, the University gives students and staff the opportunity to cultivate their talent in an ambitious and informal environment. An effective organisation – with good working conditions and a collaborative work culture – creates the ideal framework for a successful academic career.
Denmark Scholarships
Application requirements – academic positions
If you wish to apply for an academic position at AAU, your application must contain the following:
- A motivated text, stating your grounds for applying, qualifications relevant to the position and your intentions and visions for the position.
- An updated CV.
- Specification of degrees (a copy of diplomas of achieved degrees: Bachelor, Master/Executive Master and PhD). The diplomas must be in Danish or English (e.g. in the form of a translation by a certified translation bureau or similar).
- Specification of academic qualifications:
- Please attach a complete list of publications and state which work you wish to refer to.
- You may attach a maximum of 10 publications to your application for associate professor or professor positions. For any other academic position, you may attach a maximum of 5 publications.
Please be aware that for applications for positions in the category assistant professor, associate professor, professor or professor with special responsibilities it is not sufficient to refer to publications. Only publications attached to the application can form a basis for the assessments committee’s assessment of your application.
- Teaching qualifications described in a teaching portfolio. If you choose not to submit this material, your application must state the reason for this.
- Communication qualifications must be evident from you CV, including participation in committees, boards, associations and similar.
- Additional qualifications relevant to the position must be evident from the application.
- References/recommendations can be attached.
Denmark Scholarships
Application requirements – academic positions
If you wish to apply for an academic position at AAU, your application must contain the following:
- A motivated text, stating your grounds for applying, qualifications relevant to the position and your intentions and visions for the position.
- An updated CV.
- Specification of degrees (a copy of diplomas of achieved degrees: Bachelor, Master/Executive Master and PhD). The diplomas must be in Danish or English (e.g. in the form of a translation by a certified translation bureau or similar).
- Specification of academic qualifications:
- Please attach a complete list of publications and state which work you wish to refer to.
- You may attach a maximum of 10 publications to your application for associate professor or professor positions. For any other academic position, you may attach a maximum of 5 publications.
Please be aware that for applications for positions in the category assistant professor, associate professor, professor or professor with special responsibilities it is not sufficient to refer to publications. Only publications attached to the application can form a basis for the assessments committee’s assessment of your application.
- Teaching qualifications described in a teaching portfolio. If you choose not to submit this material, your application must state the reason for this.
- Communication qualifications must be evident from you CV, including participation in committees, boards, associations and similar.
- Additional qualifications relevant to the position must be evident from the application.
- References/recommendations can be attached.