Postdoc in development of a cellular therapy at reNEW Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences University of Copenhagen

The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Medicine, reNEW, is looking for Postdoctoral candidate to join the Jensen group starting 15 April 2024 or upon agreement. You will be part of an interdisciplinary team involved in the development of a cutting-edge stem cell therapy for treatment of patients with ulcerative colitis. The postdoctoral researcher will work with the team of Professor Kim B. Jensen at reNEW, Copenhagen.

reNEW
The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Medicine, reNEW, is an international consortium of three leading research institutions; the University of Copenhagen, Denmark, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute in Melbourne, Australia, and Leiden University Medical Center in Leiden, The Netherlands. The Mission of reNEW is to bring together research excellence to harness the therapeutic potential in stem cell medicine. For this, researchers within reNEW address fundamental questions in stem cell and developmental biology and aim to translate research findings to products that will help patients with incurable disorders such as congenital kidney disorders, chronic ulcerative disorders, neurological disorders, and diabetes.

Information on the department can be found at: https://renew.ku.dk

Our research
In the Jensen group, we wish to understand how adult intestinal stem cells are specified during development, how their behaviour is regulated during steady state homeostasis, and how they dynamically change during tissue regeneration. This has provided us with insights (e.g. Yui et al., 2018, Cell Stem Cell; Guiu et al., 2019, Nature; Schweiger et al., 2022, Gastroenterology; Pikkupeura et al., 2023, Science Advances; Hansen et al., 2023, Science Advances) that we are now exploiting to develop new therapies for patients with disorders such as ulcerative colitis. We are a highly interdisciplinary and international team with established collaborators at the major hospitals in Copenhagen region. This provides the ideal environment for bridging fundamental research with clinical practice.

Your job
We are looking for a postdoctoral researcher, who will take a very prominent role in moving a cellular product towards clinical trials. Our team has over the last decade had a focus on organoid technologies, and worked intensively on optimising methods and procedures for culturing epithelial cells from small biopsies, as well as mechanisms for expansion and transplantation into injury models. Based on encouraging proof of concept data, we are now ready to move our research towards a clinical trial of a stem cell therapy for treatment of patients with ulcerative colitis. You will support the exciting journey towards a clinical trial by developing relevant methods and procedures, in partnership with our team of dedicated scientists.

Key activities include:

• Develop standard operating procedures for culturing intestinal epithelial organoids
• Liaise with clinical partners around clinical needs and acquisition of biopsies
• Establish transplantation methods suitable for patients
• Develop assays for in vivo and in vitro toxicology assessment of the cellular product
• Interact with the team to optimise clinical documents

Profile
We are looking for a highly motivated and enthusiastic scientist with the following qualifications, competencies and experience:

• You have a PhD in Life Sciences and experience from a relevant field such as stem cell biology, biotechnology, regenerative medicine, or a related discipline.
• Good record of peer-reviewed scientific publications with at least one first-author publication
• You have a strong background in cellular and molecular biology, and experience working with animal models is seen as a strong advantage.
• Familiarity with ATMPs development and ethical considerations in the field will be advantageous.
• Proficiency in writing and editing scientific documents.
• Fluency in English is essential. Fluency in Danish is an advantage.
• A solution-oriented, organisational and positive mindset is required. The ability to work in a highly collaborative international environment both independently and as part of the team is essential.

We offer:

• A stimulating, challenging and multifaceted research environment
• A supportive team to work and collaborate with
• A combination of exciting projects and access to state-of-the-art technologies to expand your horizons
• Possibilities for continued education and training
• Attractive employment conditions
• Centrally located workplace  

Place of employment
The place of employment is at the Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Medicine, Panum Institute, University of Copenhagen.

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 starting date is 15 April 2024 or upon 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. The employer will pay an additional 17.1 % to your pension fund.

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 Kim B. Jensen; e-mail [email protected];https://renew.ku.dk/research/reseach-groups/jensen-group/

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:

Deadline for applications: February 21th 2024, 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.

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.