Assistant Professor of Metabolic Physiology

Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences
University of Copenhagen

The University seeks to appoint an Assistant Professor of Metabolic Physiology (fixed-term, 3 years) to the Gerhart-Hines Group at the Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research to commence September 20, 2024, or after agreement.

Background
The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research (CBMR) is an academic research Center that pioneers groundbreaking research towards better cardiometabolic health. Through collaborative interdisciplinary research from single-cell genomics to whole-body systems, CBMR aims to transform the basic understanding of cardiometabolic health and accelerate its translation into prevention and treatment strategies. The Center’s uniquely multi- and interdisciplinary approach combines research in genetics, physiology and pharma­cology, to better understand the complex interplay of the many factors that drive cardiometabolic disease. You can learn more in the Executive Summary of CBMR's Strategy 2024–2028 .

CBMR was established in 2010 at the Faculty of Health & Medical Sciences and has been located in the Maersk Tower at PANUM since 2017. The around 260 employees create an international, highly collaborative research environment across disciplines.

Your job
The Gerhart-Hines group interrogates peripheral and central mechanisms of homeostatic control and seeks to leverage their discoveries to develop novel pharmacotherapies for the treatment of obesity and type 2 diabetes. The main objectives of this Assistant Professor position are to 1) characterize the physiological role of candidate GPCR receptors on energy balance and metabolism using cell and animal models, 2) develop reporter models to isolate and characterize ligand-secreting cell populations 3) use advanced viral and genetic approaches to functionally assess these cell populations and their role in regulating energy homeostasis 4) work collaboratively across research groups and institutions to advance these projects.

The Assistant Professor will adopt multi-disciplinary approaches, integrating cell-based systems, genetically modified animal models and omics to investigate the role of candidate GPCRs expressed in adipose tissue and characterize associated ligand-secreting cells to further delineate the inter- and intra- tissue crosstalk. This project will include advanced in vivo metabolic phenotyping, coupled with the use of genetic and pharmacological tools, as well and microscopy and transcriptomics approaches. The Assistant Professor will be hired as a member of the Gerhart-Hines group position and will be funded by Associate Professor Gerhart-Hines’ European Research Council Consolidator Grant, HEAT-UP.

The Assistant Professor’s responsibilities will primarily consist of:

• research, including publication/academic dissemination duties
• research-based teaching
• sharing knowledge with society
• participation in formal pedagogical training programme for Assistant Professors

Profile
Six overall criteria apply for assistant professor appointments at the University of Copenhagen. The six criteria (research, teaching, societal impact, organisational contribution, external funding, and leadership) are considered a framework for the overall assessment of candidates. Find information about each criterion here: https://employment.ku.dk/faculty/criteria-for-recognising-merit .

Furthermore, we are looking for a highly motivated and enthusiastic scientist with the following skills and experience:

Essential experience and skills:

• PhD degree in physiology, cellular/molecular biology, metabolism or similar
• Document a high degree of original publications in highly regarded/peer-reviewed journals in the relevant area.
• Strong experience in metabolic phenotyping of cells and animal models coupled with the use of genetic and/or pharmacological approaches.
• Knowledge in GPCR biology
• Documented experience with animal handling
• Ability to work in a team setting as well as independently.
• Documented teaching experience (bachelor and post-graduate levels) in physiology/metabolism.
• Documented record of external funding (as primary applicant)
• Excellent communication skills (oral and written) in English

Desirable experience and skills:

• Documented record of international network and collaborations.
• International recognition, in form of awards and/or board appointments to relevant organizations
• Experience with reporter models/in situ transcriptomics is a plus.
• Candidates with a background on adipose tissue biology and inter-tissue crosstalk would be highly regarded.
• Experience in mentoring post-graduate and graduate students

Place of employment
The place of employment is at the Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, Maersk Tower, Panum Institute, University of Copenhagen. We offer creative and stimulating working conditions in a dynamic and international research environment.

Terms of employment
The average weekly working hours are 37 hours per week.

The position is a fixed-term position limited to a period of 3 years. The start date is September 20, 2024, or after agreement.

Salary, pension and other conditions of employment are set in accordance with the Agreement between the Ministry of Taxation and AC (Danish Confederation of Professional Associations) or other relevant organisation. Depending on qualifications, a supplement may be negotiated.

Foreign 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 Job Structure for Academic Staff at Universities 2020.

Questions
For further information, please contact Associate Professor Zach Gerhart-Hines, e-mail [email protected] .

For questions regarding the recruitment procedure, please contact SUND HR CBMR at [email protected] .

Foreign applicants may find this link useful: www.ism.ku.dk (International Staff Mobility).

Application procedure
Your application must be submitted in English by clicking ‘Apply now’ below. Furthermore, your application must include the following documents/attachments – all in PDF format:

Deadline for applications: 28 July 2024, 23.59pm CEST

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 https://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.

The University of Copenhagen wish to reflect the diversity of society and encourage all qualified candidates to apply regardless of personal background.

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.