PhD Fellowship in PhysicsThe Niels Bohr Institute University of Copenhagen
The Niels Bohr Institute invites applicants for a PhD fellowship in biocomplexity. The project is part of the research project “Universal Biology”, started May 2022, led by Professor Kunihiko Kaneko, financed by Novo Nordisk Foundation Start date for PhD is expected to be 01 April 2024 or as soon as possible thereafter. The project The project aims at uncovering universal characteristics and laws in life systems, in particular in adaptation, development, and evolution with the spirit of theoretical physics, by focusing on consistency between hierarchical levels – molecules, cells, organisms, and ecosystem. The ideal candidate will have a strong theoretical physics background, in particular statistical physics and dynamical systems. Previous knowledge of biology is not necessarily required, although high motivation to understand a life system with willingness to learn is needed. Our research project is theoretical, by taking analytical, numerical, or data-driven approaches, with possible collaboration with experimental groups. Throughout the project, the candidate will be trained to be truly an interdisciplinary researcher in a creative and cross-disciplinary environment. Who are we looking for? We are looking for a talented, highly motivated and creative scientist who is interested in exploring fundamental questions at the interface between physics and quantitative biological systems. The position will deal with theoretical studies on a biological system. Interplay with constructive numerical modelling of complex phenomena and theoretical analysis is postulated, to unveil and test hypothesis and laws in biological systems. The successful candidates must have excellent English skills, both written and oral. The successful candidate must be imaginative and hold a Masters degree in physics, biophysics or related disciplines. If you are (or are eligible to be) enrolled at one of the faculty’s master programs in physics, it is also an option to be enrolled in the integrated MSc and PhD program (See below).
Our group and research- and what do we offer? We are part of the Center for Models of Life in the Biocomplexity section at the Niels Bohr Institute. We conduct research searching for possible answers to the fundamental question “what is life?”, based on theoretical physics, with the emphasis on the field of non-equilibrium phenomena, statistical physics, non-linear dynamics. The emerging field, Universal Biology aims to unveil universal characteristics in life systems and universal laws in adaptation, development, and evolution, with the spirit of physics (in particular, statistical physics and dynamical systems), by noting consistency between hierarchical levels – molecules, cells, organisms, and ecosystem. See also https://nbi.ku.dk/english/research/biocomplexity/universal-biology-group/ For more details. We formulate models based on physical and mathematical principles, intending to extract general laws. We have close international collaboration with many labs, in particular, with the Universal Biology Institute in Tokyo (https://park.itc.u-tokyo.ac.jp/UBI/ubi_e.html )
We offer a creative and exciting research atmosphere at the vibrant border between physics and biology. The PhD fellowship is given in accordance with Danish legislation and will typically run for 3 years. The salary is set accordingly to Danish Union Contracts which are quite competitive on an international scale.
Principal supervisor is Professor Kunihiko Kaneko, Biocomplexity Section, The Niels Bohr Institute, University of Copenhagen. E-mail: kunihiko.kaneko@nbi.ku.dk
The PhD programme Depending of your level of education, you can undertake the PhD programme as either: Option A: A three year full-time study within the framework of the regular PhD programme (5+3 scheme), if you already have an education equivalent to a relevant Danish master’s degree. Option B: An up to five year full-time study programme within the framework of the integrated MSc and PhD programme (the 3+5 scheme), if you do not have an education equivalent to a relevant Danish master´s degree – but you have an education equivalent to a Danish bachelors´s degree. ******************************************************************************** Option A: Getting into a position on the regular PhD programme Qualifications needed for the regular programme Terms of employment in the regular programme Employment is conditional upon your successful enrolment as a PhD student at the PhD School at the Faculty of SCIENCE, University of Copenhagen. This requires submission and acceptance of an application for the specific project formulated by the applicant. The terms of employment and salary are in accordance to the agreement between the Ministry of Finance and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State (AC). The position is covered by the Protocol on Job Structure. There is a possibility of negotiating a qualification supplement. Option B: Getting into a position on the integrated MSc and PhD programme Qualifications needed for the integrated MSc and PhD programme If you do not have an education equivalent to a relevant Danish master´s degree, you might be qualified for the integrated MSc and PhD programme, if you have an education equivalent to a relevant Danish bachelor´s degree. Here you can find out, if that is relevant for you: General assessments for specific countries and Assessment database. Terms of the integrated programme Students on the integrated programme will enroll as PhD students simultaneously with completing their enrollment in this MSc degree programme. The duration of the integrated programme is up to five years, and depends on the amount of credits that you have passed on your MSc programme. For further information about the study programme, please see: www.science.ku.dk/phd, “Study Structures”. Until the MSc degree is obtained, (when exactly two years of the full 3+5 programme remains), a grant will be paid partly in the form of 48 state education grant portions (in Danish: “SU-klip”) plus salary for work (teaching, supervision etc.) totalling a workload of at least 150 working hours per year. A grant portion is currently DKK 6.589. When you have obtained the MSc degree, you will transfer to the salary-earning part of the scholarship for a period of two years. At that point, the terms of employment and payment will be according to the agreement between the Ministry of Finance and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State (AC). The position is covered by the Protocol on Job Structure. Responsibilities and tasks in both PhD programmes Complete and pass the MSc education in accordance with the curriculum of the MSc programme (ONLY when you are attending the integrated MSc and PhD programme)
We are looking for the following qualifications:
*************************************************************************** Application and Assessment Procedure Your application including all attachments must be in English and submitted electronically by clicking APPLY NOW below. Please include:
Application deadline: The deadline for applications is 31 October 2023, 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 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/.
Questions General information about PhD study at the Faculty of SCIENCE is available at the PhD School’s website: https://www.science.ku.dk/phd/. The University of Copenhagen wishes to reflect the surrounding community and invites all regardless of personal background to apply for the position.
Part of the International Alliance of Research Universities (IARU), and among Europe’s top-ranking universities, the University of Copenhagen promotes research and teaching of the highest international standard. Rich in tradition and modern in outlook, the University gives students and staff the opportunity to cultivate their talent in an ambitious and informal environment. An effective organisation – with good working conditions and a collaborative work culture – creates the ideal framework for a successful academic career. InfoApplication deadline: 31-10-2023
Employment start: 01-04-2024
Working hours: Full time
Department/Location: Niels Bohr Institutet
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