Postdoc in HERV immunometabolism at the Department of Biomedical Sciences

Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences
University of Copenhagen

We are looking for a highly motivated and dynamic postdoc for a 33 month position to commence 14th of April or as soon as possible thereafter.

As postdoc in this project you would be leading a project to immunize against endogenous retroviruses as a Senolytic Immunotherapy for metabolic disease, and participate from the start in the generation of a research team   

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

Our research
We bridge cutting edge immunotherapy with metabolism and inflammation research. Methodologically speaking we collaborate internally to leverage the strong expertise in metabolism and internationally and with biotech industry to access the leading immunization technology and breakthroughs in the field of endogenous retroviruses. Our overarching aim is to cure and prevent major human diseases by the selective immunological killing of pathogenic senescent cells.

Your job
Would be to build the translational toolbox allowing targeting of murine ERVs in murine diabetes models and human ERVs in models with a fully competent immune system. Leading this effort with technical support hired for the project you would conduct the principal first experiences on the consequences of ERV removal in resistance to metabolic stress and disease. Working between traditionally segmented disciplines you would need excellent communication skills to manage the interaction with collaboration partners.

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

Essential experience and skills:

• You have a PhD within biomedical sciences
• You are highly experienced in animal research and cell culture research with practical published experience in either adaptive immune system, metabolism research or both.
• You have an active interest in understanding the root causes of major human diseases and strive to make a personal impact
• Proficient communication skills and ability to work in teams
• Excellent English skills written and spoken

Desirable experience and skills:

• Experience or knowledge of as many as possible of immunization studies, human cell models, T cell analysis, B cell analysis, flow cytometry, microscopy, gene expression analysis  
• Experience in training technical staff and managing master students

Place of employment

The place of employment is at the Department of Biomedical Sciences, Panum Institute, University of Copenhagen. We offer creative and stimulating working conditions in 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 33 months. The starting date is April 14th 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. Currently, the monthly salary starts at 36,400 DKK/approx. 4,880 EUR (October 2023 level). 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 Peter Johannes Holst, [email protected]; www.sund.ku.dk

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: 14th February 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.

Interviews are expected to be held in February or March 2024.

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.