Ph.D. fellowship in Natural Products Chemistry

Overview

The institute of Chemical Engineering, Biotechnology and Environmental Technology, University of Southern Denmark is seeking a highly motivated graduate to undertake research in the field of developing analytical methods for the analysis of resveratrol and its metabolites in biological samples and for large scale isolation of resveratrol metabolites from human urine for bioactivity testing.

The Ph.D. fellow will carry out research in the LIRMOI project, which is a four years project supported by The Programme Commission on Health, Food, and Welfare under The Danish Council for Strategic Research. An important goal of the project is to investigate the long term effect of resveratrol on management of metabolic syndrome, osteoporosis and inflammation, and identification of plant derived anti-inflammatory compounds. The Ph.D. will work in the interdisciplinary research field of natural product chemistry, analytical chemistry and molecular biology.

In animals resveratrol (found in grapes, berries etc.) has strong anti-inflammatory effects and is a promising compound with the potential to neutralize obesity-induced diseases and osteoporosis. Resveratrol is rapidly cleared from circulation and metabolized; therefore, it is tempting to speculate that some metabolites of resveratrol might exhibit biological activity. The objective of the Ph.D. project is to develop a sensitive and specific analytical method based on liquid chromatography multiple step tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MSn) and LC-Time-of-Flight (TOF)-MS combined with photodiode array detection and evaporate light scattering detection for the identification and quantification of resveratrol and its metabolites in biofluids (plasma and urine) and liver and muscle tissue from humans in order to study the accumulation and degradation of resveratrol and its metabolites in humans . Furthermore, the purpose of the Ph.D. project is to develop a large-scale method based on solid-phase extraction and flash chromatography and preparative HPLC for the isolation of resveratrol metabolites from human urine. Resveratrol and its metabolites will be investigated in cell culture studies (in vitro) using 3T3-L1 cells, macrophages, colon epithelial cells and human adipocytes for anti-inflammatory effect and other bioactivities in order to determine their possible mode of action and long term health promoting effects on insulin resistance, osteoporosis and inflammation. In vitro testing of isolated metabolites will be performed in collaboration with other partners in the LIRMOI project and the Ph.D. fellow will not take direct part in these studies.

The Ph.D. fellowship candidate should have qualifications required for working on natural products chemistry and analytical chemistry, and should have experience with isolation of organic compounds using column chromatography and HPLC as well as experience with identification of organic compounds by spectroscopic methods such as NMR and mass spectrometry. Advanced level of speaking, writing and reading English is required. In addition, emphasis will be on good skills to communicate and collaborate as well as to function in a research team across institutions and research disciplines.

Application, salary, etc.:

Appointment as a Ph.D. Research Fellow is for three years. Employment stops automatically at the end of the period. The holder of the Fellowship is not allowed to have other paid employment during the three-year period.

The successful applicant will be employed in accordance with the agreement of 1. October 2008 on salaried Ph.D. scholars between the Ministry of Finance and AC (the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations).

The successful candidate will be enrolled at the University of Southern Denmark in accordance with faculty regulations and the Danish Ministerial Order on the Ph.D. Programme at the Universities (Ph.D. order).

For further information on the position and conditions of employment please contact Head of Department, Professor Lars Porskjær Christensen, Institute of Chemical Engineering, Biotechnology and Environmental Technology, University of Southern Denmark, telephone: +45 6550 7361, e-mail: lpc@kbm.sdu.dk

Students must have either graduated from a Scandinavian MSc program, an MSc program in English, have English as their native language, or alternatively have passed a language test at the level demanded by University of Southern Denmark, Faculty of Engineering (minimum scores: IELTS 6.5 points; Paper-based TOEFL 575 points; Computer based TOEFL 230, Internet-based TOEFL 88 points).

Please send one copy of the application, marked Job ID 114021 and enclosures, which should include the following:

•Detailed CV, including list of publications (if any)
•Copy of diploma
•Two to three contact persons as his/her references
•A brief one-page proposal for study plan

Additional information may be requested, and the application process may include an interview before the final decision is made.

Employment starts: 1 September, 2011
Closing date 6 July, 2011 at 12 noon
Location: Odense

Mark application Job ID 114021 and send it to:

University of Southern Denmark
The Faculty Secretariat
The Faculty of Engineering
Campusvej 55
5230 Odense M
Denmark

http://www.jobs.sdu.dk/


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