Postdoc in Cell Biology and Structure of Mitochondrial DNA Surveillance at Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Protein Research

The newly established research group of Eva Kummer is looking for an excellent, highly motivated and self-organized postdoctoral candidate to investigate how mitochondria maintain the integrity of their genetic information using molecular cell biology and structural biology approaches. The position is available from 1October 2022 or as soon as possible thereafter. The position will initially be limited to 2 years.

About us
Kummer group is part of Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Protein Research (CPR ) that was established in 2007 at the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, to promote basic and applied research. The center hosts research groups of different disciplines ranging from systems biology, proteomics, and chemical biology, to disease biology.

The primary methodological approaches of our laboratory are single particle cryo-electron microscopy and protein and RNA biochemistry. Our group profits from generous funding by an NNF-CPR core grant and a Hallas Møller Emerging Investigator grant from the Novo Nordisk Foundation. We have access to a fully equipped mammalian and insect cell culture facility in house and state-of-the-art fluorescence and electron microscopy instrumentation at CPR and CFIM (Core Facility for Integrated Microscopy at the University of Copenhagen). In addition, the center entertains several core facilities including protein production, crystallography, biophysics, high performance computing, mass spectrometry, and genomics. You will join a collaborative and international work environment.

Project description
Mitochondria are of bacterial ancestry and contain their own genetic information. Mitochondrial DNA is very small in comparison to its nuclear equivalent but exists in hundreds to thousands of copies per cell.  Deletions and point mutations in mitochondrial DNA are prevalent in several mitochondrial disorders including severe neurodegenerative diseases. Mitochondria deal with damaged DNA either by degrading the damaged copies and replacing them via replication of intact DNA molecules, or they repair the damage if possible. However, DNA repair pathways are still poorly characterized in mitochondria. This project aims to identify mitochondrial DNA repair factors using a cell biology and proteomics approach. Moreover, the project will also entail the structural reconstitution and characterization of known DNA surveillance factors using single particle cryo-EM and functional biochemistry. Prior experience with cryo-EM, mammalian cell culture and recombinant protein purification is therefore required.

Required qualifications
We are specifically looking for someone with significant experience in mammalian cell culture techniques, purification of recombinantly expressed proteins and strong proficiency in cryo-electron microscopy (single particle or cryo-ET).

• PhD in biology, biochemistry or a related field.
• Prior experience in cryo-electron microscopy sample preparation, data acquisition and analysis.
• A strong background in protein biochemistry and mammalian cell culture techniques.
• Strong team player and networking skills.
• You should have an interest in supporting the supervision of BSc, MSc, and doctoral students.
• Publications in high-quality journals and presentations at international conferences
• Ability to manage a research project and the associated resources

As a postdoctoral candidate, you will have the opportunity to work on an interesting and challenging project that will profit from your enthusiasm, creativity and willingness to implement new methodology. The lab profits from generous funding. Nonetheless, applications for externally funded postdoctoral fellowships will be encouraged.

Questions?
For informal inquiries please contact the principal investigator via [email protected] . 

About the PI
Eva Kummer has strong expertise in protein and RNA biochemistry as well as electron microscopy. After a PhD in biochemistry on mechanisms of protein quality control in bacteria and yeast, her latest research has focused on unraveling mammalian mitochondrial translation mechanisms. For this, she has combined in vitro reconstitution approaches with single-particle cryo-EM. Examples of her work include:

Terms of salary and employment
Salary, pension, and terms of employment will be in accordance with the agreement between the Ministry of Finance and AC (Danish Confederation of Professional Associations). Currently, the monthly starting salary is around 35,600 DKK approx. 4,780 EUR (April 2022-level) plus 17.1 % in pension contribution. Depending on qualifications, a supplement may be negotiated.

The Danish Ministry of Finance and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations (AC) have agreed on a protocol that makes it possible for all international researchers employed by the University to achieve a pension exemption, where the pension can be paid out as salary. For more information about the different pension schemes www.ism.ku.dk/onarrival/pension/  

Duration: The duration of the position is 2 years and is a full-time position (37 working hours per week). Starting date is 1 October 2022 or after agreement.

The position is covered by the Job Structure for Academic Staff at Universities 2020.

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

• Cover letter describing your motivation and qualifications for the position
• CV incl. education, work/research experience, language skills and other skills relevant for the position. Plus contact details for at least three references
• Complete publication list
• 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.
• Separate reprints of 3 particularly relevant papers

The applicants can submit these materials in the given fields in the online submission system.

For questions on the application procedure, please contact [email protected] . 

Deadline for application: 14 June 2022, 23:59 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 above-mentioned requirements.

The further process
After the expiry of the application deadline, the authorized recruitment manager selects applicants for assessment on the advice of the Appointments Committee. All applicants are then immediately notified whether their application has been passed for assessment by an expert assessment committee. Selected applicants are notified of the composition of the committee and 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.

If you experience any technical difficulty with the online submission system, please contact SUND HR: [email protected] . 

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.