Postdoc in variant-to-function translation in cardiometabolic disease

Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research

University of Copenhagen

We are looking to hire a highly motivated and dynamic researcher with a PhD or equivalent doctorate to join the Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, University of Copenhagen, to work between the Loos Group and the Schéele Group. The candidate should have a strong background in cell and molecular biology. The starting date is March 1, 2023, or after agreement.

The postdoctoral fellowship is offered as part an exciting initiative in close collaboration with the Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Genomic Mechanisms of Disease  (Broad Institute, USA). The candidate will have the opportunity to spend some time in the US, to train at the Broad Institute.

About Us

The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for vision is to strengthen interdisciplinary research that transforms our basic understanding of the mechanisms that underlie metabolic health and disease, and to accelerate this knowledge toward new prevention and treatment strategies. We were established in 2010 and in 2017, we moved into new laboratories, offices, and meeting rooms in the Maersk Tower www.maersktower.ku.dk . The Center has around 260 employees who work in an international, highly collaborative research environment across a range of biomedical disciplines. You can read more about us here: www.cbmr.ku.dk .

Our Research

The candidate will work between the Loos Group and the Schéele Group at the Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research. The Loos Group uses genomic, molecular and health data to understand how genetic variants contribute to the risk of cardiometabolic disease. They perform large-scale gene discovery analyses to identify genetic variants associated with cardiometabolic outcomes, followed by bioinformatic analyses to prioritize the most likely candidate gene within each associated locus. The Schéele Group works in close collaboration with clinical departments and develops and exploit human in vitro models including primary cultures and hIPSc programming and differentiation. The group studies the role of brown and white adipose tissue in organ crosstalk and cardiometabolic disease, and address this from a whole-body perspective and down to single cell resolution.

Job Description

The candidate will participate in the translation of genetic discoveries into novel biological insights for cardiometabolic outcomes, in particular obesity and type 2 diabetes. Their main tasks include studying genetic variants by using CrispR technology on human cell models and identifying functional variants. Main target cells include hypothalamic neurons, adipocytes, myocytes, and hepatocytes. Technologies for high-content screening are established and include Maestro Pro multiwell microelectrode array (MEA), ImageXpress Pico and Leica THUNDER Imager Live Cell & 3D Cell Culture & 3D Assay. Functional variants will be further explored in animal models in collaboration with the Rodent metabolic phenotyping platform at CBMR. The postdoc will closely collaborate with the Claussnitzer Group in the Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Genomic Mechanisms of Disease  and have the chance for recurring research visits at the Broad Institute (Cambridge, USA).

Profile

We are looking for a highly motivated and enthusiastic researcher who, in addition to the desired expertise stated above, has the following skills and qualifications:

Required qualifications:

• PhD in Functional Genomics, Genetics, Molecular Biology, Molecular Biomedicine Computational Biology, or related sciences
• Experience in working with transcriptomic or epigenetic data
• Expertise in mammalian cell culture
• Expertise in microscopy and imaging techniques, preferably including live cell imaging, 2D/3D imaging, and laser capture techniques.
• Experience in working with human genetic association data
• Proven track record showing scientific productivity in peer-reviewed journals.
• Proficient communication skills and ability to work in multi-disciplinary teams.
• Experience in supervising other researchers at different levels.
• Excellent English communication skills, both written and spoken.

Terms of Employment

The employment as postdoc is a full-time position for 3 years. Starting date is March 1, 2023, or after agreement.

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). Depending on qualifications, a supplement may be negotiated.

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 about the position, please contact Professor Ruth Loos at [email protected]  and Associate Professor Camilla Scheele at [email protected] .  For questions regarding the recruitment procedure, please contact HR at [email protected] .

The University of Copenhagen International Staff Mobility office offers support and assistance to all international researchers on all issues related to moving to and settling in Denmark. Read more at www.ism.ku.dk .

Application Procedure

Your online application must be submitted in English via the ‘Apply now’ link below. Furthermore, your application must include the following documents/attachments – all in PDF format:

• Cover letter expressing the motivation and previous research experience of the applicant (max 1 page)
• Curriculum vitae
• Copy of the PhD degree certificate and the Master degree certificate. In case the PhD has not yet been completed, a written statement from the supervisor confirming it will be obtained before March 1, 2023, is acceptable.
• List of publications
• References (name and contact details of at least two references)

Application Deadline: 21 November 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 www.employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process .

The applicant will be assessed according to the Ministerial Order no. 242 of March 13, 2012, on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Universities.

The University of Copenhagen wishes to reflect the diversity of society and welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of their 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.