Postdoc in shared genetics of ADHD and obesity

The Department of Biomedicine at Faculty of Health at Aarhus University invites applications for a position as Postdoc in the field of genetics and functional genomics of metabolic disorders as per 1 June 2024 or as soon as possible thereafter. The position is a two-year full-time position.

The Department of Biomedicine prioritises diversity and a good work environment, as this is a prerequisite for groundbreaking research. In a diverse and international research environment, dedicated employees are looking to generate new knowledge within biomedical research areas such as infection and inflammation, membranes, neuroscience, and personalised medicine. The Department of Biomedicine provides research-based teaching of the highest quality and is responsible for a large part of the medical degree programme. Academic staff contribute to the teaching. English is the preferred language in the laboratory, at meetings and at seminars. The department employs approx. 500 people from all over the world, and they make use of the department's modern laboratory-, core- and animal facilities. The Department of Biomedicine focuses on innovation, entrepreneurship and collaboration with business and industry, and numerous researchers from the department have established companies to develop new medicinal treatments founded in professional scientific basic research. You can read more about the department here and about the faculty here .

About the research project

We are looking for a highly motivated and skilled postdoc to join the research group of Professor Ditte Demontis, at Biomedicine, Aarhus University (

https://biomed.au.dk/demontisgroup

).

You will perform statistical analyses of large-scale genetic datasets of ADHD and weight related phenotypes derived from diagnosed cohorts or population-based data sets (e.g. UK Biobank). You will work intensively with existing and new methods to integrate genetic findings with large-scale functional genomics data e.g. transcriptomics (including single cell RNA- and spatial transcriptomics), epigentic and proteomic data sets, to identify underlying biological mechanisms shared between ADHD and obesity.

The position is funded by a Data Science collaborative grant from the by the Novo Nordisk Foundation which offers an exciting opportunity to work as a part of a larger team including researchers from Professor Simon Rasmussen´s group at Copenhagen University (https://www.cpr.ku.dk/research/disease-systems-biology/rasmussen/ ) and researchers in the Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Genomic Mechanisms of disease at the Broad Institute in Boston (https://www.broadinstitute.org/nnfc ). The position will include frequent interactions with researchers at the Broad Institute, which offers a vibrant research environment with close links to MIT, Harvard and the Harvard-affiliated hospitals across Boston.

Your job responsibilities

As Postdoc in the field of genetics and functional genomics of metabolic disorders your position is primarily research-based but may also involve teaching assignments. You will contribute to the development of the department through research of high international quality. In your daily work, you will work closely with colleagues on your project, where you will receive supervision and guidance.

Your main tasks will consist of:

• Independent research of high international quality, including publication.
• Handling and analysing large datasets on high-performance computer clusters.
• Perform integrative analyses of genetic and functional genomics data i.e. transcriptomics, epigenetic and proteomics data.
• Identify affected cell types and cell-states through comprehensive analyses of genetic and single cell sequencing data.
• Interact with scientists from the Broad and other Danish research institutions frequently and contribute to large interdisciplinary projects.

You will report to Professor Ditte Demontis.

Your competences

You have academic qualifications at PhD level with a strong background in statistical analyses in the field of genomics, functional genomics, or related areas. Experience with GWAS, functional genomics and secondary GWAS bioinformatic analyses is expected, together with knowledge of programming languages.

As a person, you have good interpersonal skills, are inclusive and team-oriented and able to contribute to a good work environment. You are highly motivated, self-driven, ambitious, take ownership, and you can see yourself thriving in a cross-disciplinary and collaborative research environment. We expect you to be fluent in oral and written English.

In order to be assessed as qualified for a Postdoc position, you must meet these academic criteria .

Shortlisting will be used.

Questions about the position

If you have any questions about the position, please contact Professor Ditte Demontis tel.: (+45) 2853 9746.

Your place of work will be the Department of Biomedicine, Høegh-Guldbergs Gade 10, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark.

We expect to conduct interviews in week 16 or as soon as possible thereafter.

Terms of employment

Application

Your application must include the following:

• Motivated application
• Curriculum Vitae
• Diploma
• Template for applicant - postdoc
• A list of publications
• A teaching portfolio. We refer to Guideline on the use of teaching portfolios
• A maximum of five of the publications of greatest relevance to the job may be submitted (optional)
• Research plan can be uploaded (optional)
• Coauthor statement(s) can be uploaded (optional)
• References/recommendations can be uploaded separately in the e-recruitment system (optional)

We refer to the faculty’s

Guidelines for applicants

.

Aarhus University’s ambition is to be an attractive and inspiring workplace for all and to foster a culture in which each individual has opportunities to thrive, achieve and develop. We view equality and diversity as assets, and we welcome all applicants.

Letter of reference

If you want a referee to upload a letter of reference on your behalf, please state the referee’s contact information when you submit your application. We strongly recommend that you make an agreement with the person in question before you enter the referee’s contact information, and that you ensure that the referee has enough time to write the letter of reference before the application deadline.

Unfortunately, it is not possible to ensure that letters of reference received after the application deadline will be taken into consideration.

International applicant?

Aarhus University offers a broad variety of services for international researchers and accompanying families, including assistance with relocation and career counselling to expat partners. Please find more information about the International Staff Office and the range of services

here

. Aarhus University also has a Junior Researcher Association and offers career development support. You can read more about these resources

here

.

The application must be submitted via Aarhus University’s recruitment system, which can be accessed under the job advertisement on Aarhus University's website.