The Department of Plant and Environmental Science, Section for Environmental Chemistry and Physics, invites applicants for a PhD fellowship in “The effect of formulations of dsRNA based pesticides on non-target species”. The project is part of the research project ENvironmental SAFEty of biotechnological plant protection products based on short interfering RNA and peptides (ENSAFE.dk), which is financed by The Novo Nordisk Foundation.
The Project
The vision of ENSAFE is to develop the in silico and experimental methods and tools needed to underpin an efficient evidence-based risk assessment framework for new bio-based plant protection products (PPPs) based on short double stranded RNA (dsRNA) and peptides. The present PhD will focus on understanding how different formulations (chitin, clay, peptide, etc formulations) of a chosen dsRNA product affect the uptake, systemicity and effect of the dsRNA. The main focus will be on dsRNA targeting arthropod pests, but the project may be extended to fungicidal products if relevant. Formulations are typically designed to facilitate uptake and effects in “difficult-to-hit” pest species, hence, the formulations are also likely to the sensitivity of non-target species. The focus of the PhD will be to quantify to what extend specific types of formulations alternate effects in selected species of different sensitivity, and to help identify which processes are changed by the formulation that may affect the risk assessment of the product. You will work closely with our project partners at UK Center for Ecology and Hydrology in Wallingford, England, who are focussing in depth on toksikokinetic processes of dsRNA and potential off-target effects of dsRNA and their blank formulations, and with project partners from Ålborg University who will look at the effects of formulation technologies on environmental fate properties. You will be one of 8-10 PhD students working on each their topic within the ENSAFE project, and will be an active and contributing part of the ENSAFE consortium working on creating the scientific foundation needed to effectively evaluate the environmental safety of dsRNA and peptide-based PPP technologies for uses in Europe.
Who are we looking for?
- We are looking for candidates within the field(s) of Environmental toxicology, biology, agronomy, biochemistry or similar scientific fields.
- Experience with laboratory work, handing test organisms and measuring morphological, physiological or behavioural parameters such as growth, reproduction and mobility will be an advantage, as will experience with omics techniques such as transcriptomics, metabolomics, proteomics and the associated treatment and interpretation of data.
- Data analysis and statistical skills will also be evaluated positively together with good communication and social skills.
Application Procedure
Your application including all attachments must be in English and submitted electronically by clicking APPLY NOW on the application webpage https://employment.ku.dk/all-vacancies/?show=164913.
Please include:
- Motivated letter of application (max. one page) including your motivation for applying for the specific PhD project
- Curriculum vitae including information about your education, experience, language skills and other skills relevant for the position
- Original diplomas for Bachelor of Science or Master of Science and transcript of records in the original language, including an authorized English translation if issued in another language than English or Danish. If not completed, a certified/signed copy of a recent transcript of records or a written statement from the institution or supervisor is accepted.
- Publication list (if possible)
- Reference letters (if available)
Application deadline:
15 October 2025, 2025, 23:59 GMT +2.