Research assistant position in glucosinolate transporter biology

About the role

A 6-month research assistant position is available at the Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, financed by a grant from the Villum Foundation to Professor Barbara Ann Halkier. The position is open from 1 October 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter.

Project background

The VILLUM Investigator project focuses on Plant Transportomics. Transport of metabolites across cellular borders is essential for plant fitness and survival and has proven important in controlling key quality traits in agriculture. The project aims to create a first-of-its-kind transportomics database that includes substrate specificity of every transporter in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana (thale cress). The project will also decode the chemical language of plants by mapping metabolites exuded and transporters present at the root during stress conditions. The knowledge and molecular tools generated will have applications in sustainable agriculture.

Glucosinolates in Arabidopsis will be used as a model to elucidate the molecular mechanisms governing the transport of defence metabolites from their sites of synthesis to the rhizosphere. This specific project aims to investigate the route of glucosinolate rhizosecretion and its role in plant communication.

Responsibilities

• Investigate the route of glucosinolate rhizosecretion and its role in plant communication.
• Perform plant metabolite extraction and analysis, preferably using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry.
• Integrate multi-omics data.
• Disseminate findings through internal talks, conferences, and publications.
• Perform other related duties as required.

Requirements

• MSc in biotechnology or related sciences.
• Experience with Arabidopsis thaliana, plant specialized metabolism, or membrane transporters.
• Experience in plant metabolite extraction and analysis, preferably using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry.
• Excellent English skills, both written and spoken.
• Good dissemination skills.

Preferred Skills

• Analysis of glucosinolates, root exudates, or other plant specialized metabolites.
• Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and non-targeted metabolomics.
• MS/MS-based metabolite annotation and multivariate data analysis.

Terms of employment

The position is covered by the Memorandum on Job Structure for Academic Staff. Terms of appointment and payment accord to the agreement between the Ministry of Finance and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State. Negotiation for salary supplement is possible.

Applicants may be required to undergo a background screening to protect the security and research integrity of the University of Copenhagen.

Contact

For further information about the position, please contact Professor Barbara Ann Halkier at bah@plen.ku.dk or +45 35333342.