The aim of this research project is to further develop and improve the modern microbial metagenomics tools to study natural microbial communities. In this project we will use high throughput sequencing to study the composition of bacterial communities in various natural environments with great resolution.
Furthermore, the project includes studies of the presence and evolution of plasmid-borne traits in different natural habitats in order to resolve the role of the mobile gene pool in microbial adaptation. We are specifically interested in studying the effect of anthropogenic activity on the evolution and prevalence of multi resistant bacteria.

We expect that the applicants have obtained an MSc degree in biology or biochemistry, a good grasp of theoretical concepts, and some expertise in laboratory techniques used in molecular microbial ecology, DNA sequencing and bioinformatic analysis. Fluency in English is a requirement.

An assessment committee will be appointed to evaluate the applications. The final selection will be made by the supervisors, Søren J. Sørensen and Lars H. Hansen and the Head of Department, based on the recommendations of the evaluation committee. Successful candidates will then be requested to formally apply for enrolment as a PhD student at the PhD school of Science, University of Copenhagen.

Scholarship Application Deadline:14 April 2011

Further Scholarship Information and Application