A 3 year PhD position in molecular characterization of Mycoplasma bovis is available at the National Veterinary Institute (DTU Vet), Technical University of Denmark (DTU) commencing 1st May 2013. The place of work is Frederiksberg, and the candidate will be on the staff in Section of Bacteriology, Pathology and Parasitology.

Job description
The PhD project is aimed at studying molecular traits of M. bovis in order to provide basis for spatial and temporal tracking of individual clonal lines of the organism in the Danish cattle population and enable the identification of predominant clones, determine virulence factors and molecular mechanisms for pathogenicity of the organism and clarify whether the individual clonal variants of M. bovis have adaptively evolved to colonize different organ system niches. Next generation sequencing will be used to analyze genomes of a large number of carefully selected clinical isolates of M. bovis and novel specific and highly sensitive diagnostics will be developed for identification of infection sources and surveillance of M. bovis in Danish cattle population. The project will also evaluate the effects of antibiotics on bacterial isolates invading different organ tissues.

The PhD project is part of a collaboration project between DTU Vet, KU LIFE and the Knowledge Center for Agriculture.

Qualifications
Applicants with the following qualifications are preferred:

• A master’s degree in molecular biology, biotechnology, microbiology or a comparable discipline or a similar degree with an academic level equivalent to the master’s degree
• Experience in bioinformatics and molecular methods are preferable
• An interest in infectious diseases
• Fluency in English
• Good social skills, innovative and interested in communicating research results

Approval and Enrolment
The scholarships for the PhD degree is subject to academic approval and the candidates will be enrolled in the Life Science PhD programme of DTU. For information about the general requirements for enrolment and the general planning of the scholarship study, please see the DTU PhD Guide.

Salary and appointments terms
The salary and appointment terms are consistent with the current rules for the PhD degree students. The period of employment is 3 years.

Further information
For further information please contact Senior Researcher Branko Kokotovic, phone + 45 3588 6363.

Application
We must have your online application by 15 March 2013. Please open the link « apply online », fill in the application form and attach the following documents:

• A letter motivating the application (cover letter)
• Curriculum vitae
• Grade transcripts and BSc/MSc diploma
• Excel sheet with translation of grades to the Danish grading system (see guidelines and excel spreadsheet here)

Candidates may apply prior to obtaining their master’s degree, but cannot begin before having received it.

All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, race, disability, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply.