Postdoc in Plant Biochemistry

The Department  of Plant and Environmental Sciences invites applicants for a postdoc fellowship in plant biochemistry, financed by a grant from Styrelsen for Grøn Arealomlægning og Vandmiljø (SGAV) through the Klimatiltag funding scheme.

The start date is 1 March 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter.

The project

The field of biological nitrification inhibitors (BNIs) has gained increasing attention over the past decades as a promising strategy to mitigate fertilizer-derived greenhouse gas emissions in the global north and improve yields with reduced nitrogen inputs in the global south. Yet, despite more than 20 years of research, only a limited number of BNI compounds have been identified and characterized, and their precise mode of action remains largely unknown [8]. This lack of mechanistic insight hampers the integration of BNI traits into breeding programs.

The project aims to build a knowledge base on Biological compounds with Nitrification Inhibition (BNI) capacity in Danish cereals and their wild relatives to support the development of varieties with natural nitrification inhibition capacity and reduced reliance on chemical inputs.

This project combines bioinformatics, biochemistry, molecular biology and plant transformation to characterize the BNI trait in sorghum for re-introduction into agricultural relevant cultivars.

Who are we looking for?

We are looking for candidates within the fields of Biology, analytical chemistry, biochemistry, molecular biology, bioinformatics or biotechnology, who wish to join a dynamic research group working on plant biochemistry and biosynthesis of specialized metabolites.

Our group and research- and what do we offer?

The successful applicant will join Tomas Laursen and the Dynamic Metabolons Research Group, which specializes in the organization of biosynthetic pathways for production of bioactive compounds. The project is part of several ongoing research projects within the group focusing on understanding how plant produce and secrete bioactive compounds from the roots.

The Dynamic Metabolons research Group is a part of the Section for Plant Biochemistry, which hosts several research groups working on synthetic biology, 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.

We offer creative and stimulating working conditions in a dynamic and international research environment. Our research facilities include modern laboratories, plant growth facilities, and a metabolomics platform hosted within the Section.

We are looking for the following qualifications:

• Professional qualifications relevant to the Postdoc project
• Relevant publications
• Relevant work experience
• Other relevant professional activities
• Curious mind-set with a strong interest in the research field
• Excellent English language skills

Application and Assessment Procedure

 Your application including all attachments must be in English and submitted electronically by clicking APPLY NOW below.

Please include: 

1. Motivated letter of application, including any preferences for working on biosynthesis or transport
2. Curriculum vitae including information about your education, experience, language skills and other skills relevant for the position
3. Original diplomas for BSc and MSc degrees and transcript of records in the original language, including an authorized English translation if issued in a language other than English or Danish. If the latest degree has not been completed, please include a certified/signed copy of a recent transcript of records and a written statement from the institution or supervisor.
4. Publication list (if possible)
5. Reference letters (if available)

Application deadline:

The deadline for applications is 1 February 2026, 23:59 GMT+1.

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 deadline, a number of applicants will be selected for academic assessment by an unbiased expert assessor. You are notified, whether you will be passed for assessment.

The assessor will assess the qualifications and experience of the shortlisted applicants with respect to the above mentioned research area, techniques, skills and other requirements. The assessor will conclude whether each applicant is qualified and, if so, for which of the two models. The assessed applicants will have the opportunity to comment on their assessment. You can read about the recruitment process at https://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/.

Interviews with selected candidates are expected to be held during the week of 26-30 January 2026.

Questions
For specific information about the Postdoc, please contact Tomas Laursen, tola@plen.ku.dk

The University of Copenhagen wishes to reflect the surrounding community and invites all regardless of personal background to apply for the position.