Postdoc in Structural Biology of Mitochondrial DNA Maintenance at Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Protein Research

The newly established research group of Eva Kummer is looking for an excellent and highly motivated postdoctoral candidate to investigate how mitochondria maintain and express their genome by establishing in situ electron microscopy imaging workflows in the group. The position is available from 1 May 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 state-of-the-art electron microscopy infrastructure at CFIM (Core Facility for Integrated Microscopy at the University of Copenhagen). Equipment includes a Titan Krios and a Glacios, both equipped with Falcon III DED, as well as multiple smaller screening instruments. In addition, the center entertains a number of 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 highly dynamic organelles that undergo fission and fusion to adapt their functional state. Mitochondrial dynamics serve to distribute copies of mitochondrial DNA throughout the mitochondrial network or function in mitochondrial quality control and turnover. Within this exciting framework, you will establish in situ imaging workflows including correlative light and electron microscopy, FIB milling and cryo-electron tomography to investigate molecular determinants of mitochondrial dynamics and their correlation to the distribution of mitochondrial DNA and mitochondrial function/homeostasis. 

The project entails training in house but also involves extended stays at external EM sites for supplementary training and experimental work at devices that are currently not yet available at University of Copenhagen. The project requires you to be open to spend research stays in another European country and the self-dependency to acquire and transfer methodological expertise from one research site to another.  Therefore, it is suited for someone who has a deep interest in method implementation, is willing to work independently, and has the flexibility to work at multiple research sites. Prior experience with cryo-ET is a big plus. With your work you will help to establish an important methodological branch in our lab and enable our group to combine in vitro single particle approaches with in situ observations.

Required qualifications  
We are specifically looking for someone with significant experience in cryo-electron microscopy (single particle or cryo-ET). Specific prior experience in cryo-ET is a plus but not mandatory.

Proficiency in mammalian cell culture techniques and protein purification is desired.

• PhD in biology, biochemistry or a related field.
• Prior experience in cryo-electron microscopy sample preparation, data acquisition and analysis are required. Prior exposure to cryo-ET is a strong plus.
• A strong background in protein biochemistry and mammalian cell culture techniques is desired.
• Strong team player and networking skills are required.
• 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 Danish Ministry of Finance and AC (Danish Confederation of Professional Associations). Currently, the monthly salary is around 35,003 DKK / approx. 4,703 €, (October 2021-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/   .

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.

Duration: The duration of the position is 2 years with a possibility of extension (depending on the performance, and previous employment at the University of Copenhagen). The position is full-time.
Start: 1 May 2022. 

The position is covered by the “Memorandum on Job Structure for Academic Staff at the Universities” of 11 December 2019.

Application procedure
Your application must be submitted electronically by clicking ‘APPLY NOW’ below. 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:

• 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
• 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.
• List of publications
• Separate reprints of 3 particularly relevant papers

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

Deadline for application: 31 January, 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.

For further information about the position or the process or if you experience any technical difficulty with the online submission system, please contact SUND HR: [email protected] . 

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.