Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences
University of Copenhagen
We are looking for a highly motivated and dynamic researcher for a 2-year post-doctoral position in Stem Cell Biology to start in the Galvagnion group Protein-membrane interactions in health and disease in May 2023. Preference will be given to candidates with a strong expertise in stem cell biology and neuroscience. The purpose of the postdoc is to investigate changes in lipid metabolism associated with Parkinsons Disease and alpha-synuclein pathology in iPSC-derived neurons
Information on the department can be found at: https://drug.ku.dk/.
Our research
Our research aims at understanding the role of dysfunctions in lipid homeostasis in the emergence of neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimers and Parkinsons Diseases. Our approach consists in identifying, using biological models, lipid changes associated with these diseases and/or their risk factors and in using biophysical methods to provide at the molecular level the mechanism by which these lipid changes can influence functional protein-membrane interactions and protein aggregation. The different biological models that we consider vary in their complexity and include patient derived cells and brain materials. Our interdisciplinary research involves an international collaborative network including neuroscientists, stem cell biologists, biochemists, protein biophysicists and lipid chemists.
The main methods/techniques that we routinely use in the laboratory include molecular biology, recombinant protein production/purification; characterisation of protein, protein-membrane interactions and self/co-assembly using circular dichroism, fluorescence spectroscopy, calorimetry, electron microscopy; lipids extraction and characterisation using mass spectrometry; cell culture (established and iPS cell lines), Immunocytochemistry, Western Blot, qPCR; organelle and ex-vivo material isolation.
More information on our research can be found here:
Your job
We are looking for an outstanding and passionate scientist who has a strong background in human pluripotent stem cell biology. This post-doctoral project aims at understanding how changes in lipid metabolism associated with genetic risk factors for Parkinsons Disease, can lead to the deposition of toxic protein aggregates in patients neuronal cells. Your task will involve the isolation and characterization of protein and lipids from patients iPSC-derived neuronal cells. The stem cells from the healthy controls and patients with Parkinsons Disease are available and banked in our laboratory.
The project is funded by a Novo Nordisk Emerging Investigator grant and involves an established collaboration with the laboratory of Agnete Kirkeby (ReNew, Copenhagen).
Profile
We are looking for a highly motivated and enthusiastic scientist with the following competencies and experience:
Essential experience and skills:
- You have a PhD in cellular biology or biochemistry
- You are highly experienced in the maintenance of iPSCs and their differentiation into neurons
- You have an active interest in neurodegenerative disease, protein aggregation and lipid metabolism
- You have proficient communication skills and ability to work in teams
- You have excellent English skills written and spoken
Desirable experience and skills:
- Experience in protein quantification (Western Blot, Elisa assay), molecular biology (incl. CRISPR/Cas9), lipid analysis
- Knowledge in neuroscience, stem cell biology, biochemistry
Place of employment
The place of employment is at the Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen. We offer creative and stimulating working conditions in dynamic and international research environment. Our research facilities include modern laboratories, cell culture, protein production, biophysical facilities.
Terms of employment
The employment as postdoc is a full time and fixed-term position for 2 years. Starting date is 1 May 2023 or as soon as possible hereafter.
Salary, pension and terms of employment will be in accordance with the agreement between the Danish Ministry of Finance and AC (Danish Confederation of Professional Associations). Currently, the monthly salary starts at 35,700 DKK/ approx. 4,790 Euro (October 2022-level). Depending on qualifications, a supplement may be negotiated. The employer will pay an additional 17.1 % to your pension fund.
Non-Danish and Danish applicants may be eligible for tax reductions, if they hold a PhD degree and have not lived in Denmark the last 10 years.
The position is covered by the Memorandum on Job Structure for Academic Staff at the Universities of December 11, 2019.
Questions
For further information please contact Céline Galvagnion;
celine.galvagnion@sund.ku.dk;
https://drug.ku.dk/
Foreign applicants may find this link useful:
www.ism.ku.dk (International Staff Mobility).
Application procedure
Your online application must be submitted in English by clicking Apply now below. Furthermore your application must include the following documents/attachments all in PDF format:
- Motivated letter of application (max. one page).
- CV incl. education, work/research experience, language skills and other skills relevant for the position.
- A certified/signed copy of a) PhD certificate and b) Master of Science certificate. If the PhD is not completed, a written statement from the supervisor will do.
- List of publications.
Application deadline: 28 February 2023, 23.59pm CET
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
After the expiry of the deadline for applications, the authorized recruitment manager selects applicants for assessment on the advice of the hiring committee. All applicants are then immediately notified whether their application has been passed for assessment by an unbiased assessor. Once the assessment work has been completed each applicant has the opportunity to comment on the part of the assessment that relates to the applicant him/herself.
You can read about the recruitment process at
http://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/.
The applicant will be assessed according to the Ministerial Order no. 242 of 13 March 2012 on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Universities.
Interviews are expected to be held between 14 March 2023 and 30 March 2023.
The University of Copenhagen wish to reflect the diversity of society and encourage all qualified candidates to apply regardless of personal background.