Assistant Professor position in Translational Leukemia Research

We are looking for a highly motivated and dynamic researcher who would like to join our translational hematology research program on acute myeloid leukemia for a 3-year position to commence 1 April 2022.

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is an aggressive cancer entity with a dismal clinical outcome, due to resistance and relapse in response to current systemic AML therapies. Antibody drug- conjugates (ADCs) have emerged as a novel, promising class of cancer therapeutics, which bind to surface molecules and deliver cytotoxic drug specifically to cancer cells, leading to increased efficacy as compared to conventional systemic therapies. In a series of proof-of-concept experiments we have generated a new first-generation ADCs, which effectively killed AML cells in in vitro drug tests while sparing normal human blood stem and progenitor cells and mature blood cells. The candidate for the current position will be assigned to develop novel ADCs and explore their therapeutic potential utilizing in vitro drug screens and AML patient-derived xenografts in preclinical trials. 

Start: Preferably 1 April 2022 or after agreement
Duration: 3 years

Qualifications
We expect you to be a highly motivated and highly ambitious scientist with the following qualifications:

• PhD in molecular biology and/or stem cell biology and hematopoiesis.
• Expertise in molecular biology techniques, mouse models including AML GEMMs and AML PDXs, flow-cytometry, tissue culture including in vitro drug screening.
• Ability to communicate in written and spoken English at high level is required.
• Good communication, interpersonal and organizational skills.
• A publication-record as first author in the area of normal or malignant hematopoiesis is preferable.
• Experience in attaining funding for programs in clinical and/or basic research is preferable.

Place of employment
The Assistant Professor will join the group of associate prof. Kim Theilgaard-Mönch, MD, DMSc, which currently constitutes 7 scientist and is affiliated with the Finsen Laboratory and Biotech Research Innovation Center (BRIC) at the University of Copenhagen including several research groups working on murine as well as human hematopoietic stem cell and leukemia projects.

The employment is at the BRIC, University of Copenhagen. BRIC is located at the Copenhagen Biocenter, close to the center of Copenhagen. We offer creative and stimulating working conditions in a dynamic and international research environment. Our research facilities include modern laboratories and a number of core facilities shared between the 22 research groups at BRIC and the neighboring Finsen Laboratory. We have weekly journal clubs, data clubs, seminars with invited speakers and a young researchers club ASAP and our own PhD programme, MoMeD and our own Postdoc Career Programme . BRIC actively participates in the European alliance, EU-life consisting of 13 excellent life science research institutions http://eu-life.eu/

Through our close collaboration with the National University Hospital/Rigshospitalet our group has access to biobanked AML patient and normal human bone marrow samples for the current research project. The National University Hospital represents the largest and most comprehensive academic hospital in Denmark. Its Department of Hematology is a national center of expertise and has a longstanding and certified expertise for treatment of all hematological disorders in adults according to internationally accepted guidelines and standards. The Department of Hematology’s assignment is to provide patient care and participate in preclinical and clinical studies to improve the knowledge of the biology and pathogenesis of normal hematopoiesis and hematological disorders.

Please read more about the Theilgaard-Mönch research group and BRIC on https://www.bric.ku.dk .

Terms of employment
The employment as assistant professor is a full time and fixed-term position for 3 years. Starting date is 1 April 2022 or after agreement.
Salary, pension and other conditions of employment are set in accordance with the Agreement between the Ministry of Finance and AC (Danish Confederation of Professional Associations) or other relevant organisation. Currently, the monthly salary starts at 35,000 DKK/approx. 4,700 EUR (October 2021 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 19 December 2020.

Questions
For further information please contact Associate Professor Kim Theilgaard-Mönch on e-mail [email protected]

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:

1. Motivated letter of application (max. one page)

2. CV incl. education, work/research experience, language skills and other skills relevant for the position

3. A certified/signed copy of a) PhD certificate and b) Master of Science certificate.

4. List of publications

5. Teaching portfolio if applicable

Application deadline:  4 February, 2022, 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 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.

Interviews are expected to be held in late February.

University of Copenhagen wish to reflect the diversity of society and welcome applications from all qualified candidates regardless of age, disability, gender, nationality, race, religion or sexual orientation. Appointment will be based on merit alone.

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.