PhD student in Development of Antipathogenic Drugs at the Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen

We are offering a PhD student position in development of antipathogenic drugs to commence on 15 October 2025 or as soon as possible thereafter.

The Department of Immunology and Microbiology at University of Copenhagen is a unique interdisciplinary research flagship exploring the biology of pathogenic microbes and our immune system, with the aim of improving population health.

 

Project description

The aim of the project is to identify small molecules that bind to the sensor domains of a selection of bacterial diguanylate cyclases and modulate their activity, resulting in inhibition of bacterial biofilm formation or virulence factor synthesis.

The signaling molecule c-di-GMP controls bacterial biofilm formation and virulence. The content of c-di-GMP in bacteria is determined by the activities of diguanylate cyclases (DGCs) that synthesize the molecule and phosphodiesterases (PDEs) that degrade it. Most bacterial species encode multiple DGCs and PDEs. In addition to their catalytic domains most of the PDEs and DGCs have putative sensor domains. We will identify small molecules that bind to the sensor domains of DGCs and modulate their activity, resulting in inhibition of biofilm formation or virulence of the bacteria. To this end, we will screen a chemical compound library to identify molecules that activate or inhibit selected DGCs in the bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The ability of the identified compounds to modulate the activity of the DGCs through their sensor domains will subsequently be investigated. Furthermore, the ability of the compounds to inhibit biofilm formation or virulence of the bacteria will be investigated.

 

Principal investigator is Professor Tim Tolker-Nielsen, Costerton Biofilm Center, Department of Immunology and Microbiology, E-mail: ttn@sund.ku.dk

Project Start:     15 October 2025

Duration:            3 years

 

Job description
Your key tasks as PhD student are to:

• Carry out a research project under mentorship of the group leader
• Participate actively in the research environment locally and beyond
• Present and discuss your research at group/center/departmental meetings
• Complete PhD courses or other equivalent education corresponding to approximately 30 ECTS points.

 

• Write scientific papers describing your research findings
• Participate in day-to-day supervision of students
• Teach and disseminate your knowledge
• Write a PhD thesis and defend your PhD work at a public PhD defence.

Key criteria for the assessment of applicants

Applicants must have a MSc degree related to the subject area of the project. Experience in molecular microbiology and biofilm research is required. We reserve the right not to consider applications that do not live up to the abovementioned requirements.

Other important criteria are:

• Good publication record
• Curious mind-set with a strong interest in biofilm research and molecular microbiology
• A wish to work as part of a team
• English language skills

Place of employment

The place of employment is the Costerton Biofilm Center, Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen. We offer creative and stimulating working conditions in a dynamic and international research environment.

Terms of employment
The employment as PhD student is full time and fixed term for 3 years.

Salary, pension and other conditions of employment are set in accordance with the Agreement between the Ministry of Finance and AC (Danish Confederation of Professional Associations) or other relevant organization. The position is covered by the Job Structure for Academic Staff at Universities 2025.

Questions
For further information contact Professor Tim Tolker-Nielsen, ttn@sund.ku.dk

Application procedure
Your application must be submitted in English electronically by clicking ‘Apply now’ below. The application must include the following documents 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 (max. two pages)

3. A certified/signed copy of your MSc certificate.

5. Publication list

 

Application deadline:  18th July, 2025, 23.59pm CET

We reserve the right not to consider material received after the deadline.

 

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.

The assessor makes a non-prioritized assessment of the academic qualifications and experience with respect to the above-mentioned area of research, techniques, skills and other requirements listed in the advertisement.

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.

Interviews are expected to be held in week 36.

The Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences comprises approximately 7500 students, 1500 PhD students and 3200 employees. 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. The University of Copenhagen wishes to reflect the surrounding community and invites all regardless of personal background to apply for the position.