Postdoc in the role of immune system for the development of resistance to antibiotics in biofilm infections

We are looking for a highly motivated and dynamic postdoc for a two-year postdoctoral position commencing 1 July 2025 or as soon as possible thereafter.

Information on the department can be found at:  ISIM - KUnet

Our research
The candidate will conduct research at the Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Costerton Biofilm Center where a leading group of scientists and clinicians join their efforts to advance the understanding of microbial biofilms. Our interdisciplinary approach integrates translational and clinically relevant research within a vast international network.

At the Costerton Biofilm Center, we aim to improve prevention strategies and develop novel treatments for biofilm-related infections. Our research seeks to unravel the mechanisms that allow biofilm-forming bacteria to evade the immune system, paving the way for treatments, and preventive measures to combat chronic diseases and improve public health.

The candidate will be part of the group investigating “Evolution in Biofilms”. The group aims at improving the treatment of biofilm-related infections by studying the evolution in biofilms with special interest in the development of resistance to antimicrobials and in understanding the role of the immune response in bacterial evolution. The group is also engaged in investigating new biofilm treatment strategies.

We strive for an inclusive environment that values diversity in all its forms, including gender, age, and cultural backgrounds.

Project Description
The nature of bacterial adaptation to the infectious microenvironment and its role for the efficacy of antibiotics remains poorly characterized. We propose to map the evolutionary trajectories of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in the infectious microenvironment and apply these insights to predict an optimal treatment strategy to limit development of AMR. The aims of the project: 1) To identify the genetic pathways of antimicrobial resistance development in the infectious microenvironment through experimental evolution in an animal infection model; 2) To investigate the dynamics of the host-pathogen interactions during evolution of antimicrobial resistance; 3) To develop a mathematical modeling framework to translate the experimental findings to potential clinical treatment strategies which limit antimicrobial resistance; 4) To test the potential of changing the infectious microenvironment by antioxidants to prevent antimicrobial resistance. The project focus on development of AMR in infections caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms, which represent a large burden for the society, causing a variety of difficult to treat infections. Your tasks will be: 1. to conduct AMR evolution experiments in a mouse model of biofilm lung infection developed in our lab; 2. to identify genes that alter antibiotic efficacy in the infectious microenvironment by genome-wide mutant fitness profiling using P. aeruginosa transposon (Tn) library and Tn sequencing; 3. to map changes in gene expression in both the pathogen and the host by dual RNA sequencing during in vivo evolution in the animal model. These experimental findings will be used by our international collaborator prof. Coen von Hasselt from Leiden University, The Netherlands, for mathematical modeling and will allow us to make predictions of the evolution of AMR in vivo and to design therapeutic interventions that target evolvability-modifying pathways that could be used in combination with antibiotics to block common mutational paths to resistance.

Your job
The position is affiliated with a project financed by the Danish Agency for Research and involves collaboration with Prof. Claus Moser from Department of Clinical Microbiology, Rigshospitalet, prof. Tim Tolker-Nielsen from ISIM and different international collaborators. We strive for hiring a highly motivated and enthusiastic scientist who will focus on the role of host immune response for the AMR development in an animal model of biofilm lung infection. To gain experience, the candidate will be involved in co-supervision of Master students.   
 

Profile
We are looking for a highly motivated and enthusiastic scientist with the following competencies and experience:

Essential experience and skills:

• You have a PhD or you are expected to obtain the phD title in the next 6 months
• You are highly experienced in biofilms investigation and animal models
• You have an active interest in experimental evolution and ready to work in an interdisciplinary environment.
• Proficient communication skills and ability to work in teams.
• Excellent English skills written and spoken.

Desirable experience and skills:

• Experience with transcriptomic, dual transcriptomics and immune response investigation will be preferred.
• Experience in lung biofilm models is advantageous
• Previous research experience in biofilm infections
• Relevant work experience
• Publications relevant to the research area

Place of employment
The place of employment is at the Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen. We offer creative and stimulating working conditions in dynamic and international research environment. Our research facilities include modern laboratories and are equipped with advanced techniques.
 

Terms of employment
The average weekly working hours are 37 hours per week.

The position is a fixed-term position limited to a period of 2 years. The starting date is 1 July 2025 or as soon as possible thereafter.

Salary, pension and other conditions of employment are set in accordance with the Agreement between the Ministry of Taxation and AC (Danish Confederation of Professional Associations) or other relevant organisation. Currently, the monthly salary starts at 38,700 DKK/approx. 5,100 EUR (April 2025 level). Depending on qualifications, a supplement may be negotiated. The employer will pay an additional 17.1 % to your pension fund.

Foreign and Danish applicants may be eligible for tax reductions, if they hold a PhD degree and have not lived in Denmark the last 10 years.

The position is covered by the Job Structure for Academic Staff at Universities 2020.
 

Questions
For further information please contact prof. Oana Ciofu, ociofu@sund.ku.dk
 

Application procedure
Your online application must be submitted in English by clicking ‘Apply now’ below. Furthermore, your application must include the following documents/attachments – all in PDF format:

1. Motivated letter of application (max. one page).
2. CV incl. education, work/research experience, language skills and other skills relevant for the position.
3. A certified/signed copy of a) PhD certificate and b) Master of Science certificate. If the PhD is not completed, a written statement from the supervisor will do.
4. List of publications.
    

Deadline for applications: 15 April 2025

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

The University of Copenhagen wish to reflect the diversity of society and encourage all qualified candidates to apply regardless of personal background.