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Tomas Laursen
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PhD Fellowship in Plant Biochemistry University of Copenhagen in Denmark
Degree Level
PhD
Field of study
Molecular Biology
Funding
Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Doctoral Network funded by the European Union under Horizon Europe; full PhD fellowship within the network.
Deadline
Jan 31, 2027
Country
Denmark
University
University of Copenhagen
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About this position
This PhD fellowship at the Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences (PLEN), University of Copenhagen focuses on the molecular basis of flower colour and pattern formation in plants. The project is part of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Doctoral Network Stripes&Stars, an international training network centred on modern breeding of ornamental and fruit crops and the study of anthocyanins and other flavonoids in species such as petunia, calibrachoa, poinsettia and bilberry.
The doctoral researcher will investigate how anthocyanin pigmentation is spatially organised to create distinct floral patterns. The work aims to uncover the molecular mechanisms behind these repetitive colour features by combining experimental plant biochemistry with modern proteomic approaches. Planned research includes building a protoplast pipeline to isolate cells from distinct petal patterns, mapping proteomes of different cell types, using biotin-dependent proximity labelling to identify protein networks around the anthocyanin biosynthetic pathway, and identifying regulatory proteins involved in pathway assembly and disassembly.
The student will join Tomas Laursen and the Dynamic Metabolons Research Group, which studies the organisation of biosynthetic pathways for bioactive compounds. The group integrates microscopy, metabolomics, proteomics and fundamental biochemistry to understand plant specialised metabolism from single enzymes to the whole plant level. The research environment is described as creative, stimulating, dynamic and international, with modern laboratories, plant growth facilities and an in-house metabolomics platform.
The project is embedded in a broad European doctoral network with beneficiaries and partner institutions across several countries. The fellowship includes planned secondments at Klemm + Sohn, TU Wien and Lantana Bio, allowing the student to sample plant material, optimise protoplast and proteomics workflows, and translate findings toward tailoring anthocyanin bioproduction in yeast. The doctoral researcher will also participate in network-wide schools, workshops and transferable-skills training.
The position is framed as a three-year full-time PhD within the regular PhD programme at the Faculty of SCIENCE, University of Copenhagen.
Funding details
Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Doctoral Network funded by the European Union under Horizon Europe; full PhD fellowship within the network.
What's required
Applicants must have completed a degree programme equivalent to a relevant Danish master’s degree (180 ECTS/3 FTE BSc + 120 ECTS/2 FTE MSc) in a subject area related to the project, such as chemistry, biochemistry or molecular biology. Candidates should have relevant professional qualifications, publications, work experience or other relevant activities, a curious mindset with a strong interest in the research field, and excellent English language skills. The MSCA mobility rule applies: applicants must not have resided or carried out their main activity in Denmark for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before recruitment, and they must not already hold a doctoral degree at the date of recruitment.
How to apply
Apply electronically via the APPLY NOW link and submit all attachments in English. Include a motivated application letter, CV, diplomas and transcripts, and optionally a publication list and reference letters. Submit before 31 January 2027, 23:59 GMT+1.
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Professors
Associate Professor at University of Copenhagen
Denmark
Research Interests
Metabolic Engineering
Biotechnology
Plant Biochemistry
Biology
Chemistry
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Prepare your application
Review drafts and confirm requirements with the university.