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Tomas Laursen
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PhD Project in Studying the Molecular Basis of Flower Color and Patterns University of Copenhagen in Denmark
Degree Level
PhD
Field of study
Molecular Biology
Funding
Available
Deadline
Jan 31, 2027
Country
Denmark
University
University of Copenhagen
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About this position
The Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences at the University of Copenhagen is offering a PhD fellowship in an AI-driven study of plant metabolism, focused here on the molecular basis of flower colour and pattern formation. The project sits within the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Doctoral Network Stripes&Stars, a European training network exploring modern breeding of ornamental and fruit crops using anthocyanins and other flavonoids as a scientific showcase.
The PhD project addresses how flowers develop striking, spatially organized pigmentation patterns. Anthocyanins are widespread plant pigments responsible for many of the colours seen in fruits, vegetables and flowers, and the project aims to uncover the molecular mechanisms that create repeated patterning in petals.
Working in the Dynamic Metabolons Research Group led by Tomas Laursen, the successful candidate will study biosynthetic pathway organisation for plant specialised metabolites using a combination of microscopy, metabolomics, proteomics and fundamental biochemistry. The project includes developing a protoplast pipeline to isolate cells from distinct petal pattern regions, mapping proteomes across cell types, using biotin-dependent proximity labelling to identify protein networks in the anthocyanin biosynthetic pathway, and characterising regulatory proteins involved in pathway assembly and disassembly.
The student will be embedded in a broad international network spanning several European universities and industry partners, with planned secondments at TU Wien and Lantana Bio as well as sampling work with Klemm. The wider network provides training through schools, workshops and transferable-skills courses, creating a collaborative setting for doctoral research across disciplines and institutions.
The research environment at the Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences is described as dynamic and international, with modern laboratories, plant growth facilities and a metabolomics platform available within the section. The department spans several research areas from molecular biology to crop science and environmental chemistry.
This is a full-time PhD fellowship in an EU-funded doctoral network at the University of Copenhagen.
Funding details
Available
What's required
Applicants must have completed a degree equivalent to a Danish master’s degree in a relevant subject area such as chemistry, biochemistry or molecular biology. The position is open to candidates with backgrounds in biology, chemistry, biochemistry, molecular biology or biotechnology, especially those with experience in metabolic pathway elucidation/characterization, plant molecular biology/biochemistry, metabolic engineering or plant transformation. Excellent English language skills are required. Under MSCA rules, applicants must not have resided or carried out their main activity in Denmark for more than 12 months in the 36 months before recruitment and must not already hold a doctoral degree.
How to apply
Apply electronically via the APPLY NOW link on the University of Copenhagen application portal. Submit the application in English with a motivation letter, CV, diplomas and transcripts, publication list if available, and reference letters if available. Ensure the application is complete before the deadline.
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Professors
Associate Professor at University of Copenhagen
Denmark
Research Interests
Biotechnology
Metabolic Engineering
Plant Biochemistry
Chemistry
Biology
Make your next move.
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Review drafts and confirm requirements with the university.