Postdoctoral Research Associate in the Blackford Group at the DNRF Center for Chromosome Stability (CCS), Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine (ICMM)

A position as a Postdoctoral Research Associate is available in the Center for Chromosome Stability (CCS) (https://ccs.ku.dk/ ) in the group headed by Dr. Andrew Blackford. The post is available from 1 July 2024 (or at an alternative mutually agreed date).
Highly motivated and committed candidates with an interest in DNA damage response pathways and chromosome biology are encouraged to apply.

The post is fully funded, although the post-holder will be encouraged to seek a personal fellowship to support their research.

The Center for Chromosome Stability
The CCS is a Center of Excellence funded by the Danish National Research Foundation (DNRF) and its mission is to advance our understanding of how chromosomal instability causes human disease. The CCS is embedded at the Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine (https://icmm.ku.dk/english/ ). The working language in the CCS is English.

Our group and research
The Blackford group (https://icmm.ku.dk/english/research-groups/blackford-group/ ) aims to understand the molecular mechanisms that cells use to maintain genome stability, using a combination of genetic, biochemical and cell biology approaches. The research in the Blackford group is generously supported by Cancer Research UK and the Novo Nordisk Foundation.

Project description
The successful candidate will be able to choose one of two projects, depending on their personal interests and skillsets: either (1) using a novel proteomics approach to map protein-protein interaction networks in the DNA damage response; or (2) structure-function and CRISPR screening approaches to define how RecQ helicases maintain genome stability and limit premature aging and cancer development.

These projects will benefit from access to cutting-edge mass spectrometry, imaging, screening and computational biology infrastructure at the Center for Chromosome Stability and Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine. Collaborations are in place locally to access additional facilities and techniques including state-of-the-art optical tweezers, super-resolution microscopy and cryo-electron microscopy.

Start date:                1 July 2024 (or at a mutually agreed date)
Duration:                  2 years

The Department
The Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine focuses on basic cellular and molecular biological processes, their regulation and their significance for cell function, interaction and organisation in tissues. The Department offers comprehensive undergraduate and graduate teaching programs spanning cell biology, genetics and basic human biology, including chemistry, biochemistry, physiology, as well as anatomy.

You can read more about the department at https://icmm.ku.dk/english/ .

Key criteria for the assessment of applicants

• Applicants should hold a PhD degree in biochemistry, cell biology, biophysics, protein chemistry or a related discipline, preferably with a background in DNA replication or repair, mitosis, cell cycle or another area of chromosome biology.
• Significant expertise in at least one of the following techniques: bioinformatics, proteomics, microscopy or CRISPR screening in mammalian cells.
• At least one first author primary paper published in a reputable scientific journal, or a first author manuscript deposited on bioRxiv, or a submitted manuscript under review at a reputable scientific journal (must be submitted with the application to be considered). Publications in journals with predatory characteristics will not be considered.
• A high degree of motivation, enthusiasm and attention to detail.
• Excellent communication skills, including the ability to write for publication, present research proposals and results, and fluency in written and spoken English.

Place of employment 
The place of employment is the Center for Chromosome Stability (CCS), Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine (ICMM), Panum Institute, University of Copenhagen. We offer creative and stimulating working conditions in dynamic and international research environment. Our research facilities include modern laboratories and access to state-of-the-art equipment.

Terms of employment
The position is a fixed-term position for a period of 2 years and the average weekly working hours are 37hours. The starting date is 1 July 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 another relevant organisation. Currently, the monthly salary starts at DKK 36,412 / approx. EUR 4,854 (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 about the position, please contact Andrew Blackford by e-mail: [email protected] .
For further general questions about the position, please contact Elin Oelgaard by e-mail: [email protected] .

Foreign applicants may find this link useful: https://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: Sunday 21 April 2024, 23.59 p.m. 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 Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences comprises approximately 7,800 students and approx. 5,800 employees. The Faculty advances the field of health sciences through its core activities: research, teaching, knowledge sharing and communication. With basic research fields ranging from molecular studies to studies of society, the Faculty contributes to a healthy future through its graduates, research findings and inventions benefitting patients and the community.
The University of Copenhagen wishes to reflect the surrounding community and invites all regardless of personal background to apply for the position.

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.