Postdoc in Adipose G protein-coupled receptor signalling

Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research
University of Copenhagen

The University of Copenhagen seeks a highly motivated and talented postdoctoral fellow to commence October 1, 2022, at the Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, University of Copenhagen.

The postdoctoral fellowship is part of the Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research International Postdoctoral Program www.cbmr.ku.dk/postdocprogram.

About Us
The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research’s 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
We are focused on understanding the mechanisms controlling adipose tissue metabolism and how this control shapes organismal energy homeostasis. Specifically, we view the adipocyte as a signalling hub that receives and integrates a diverse array of neuronal, metabolite, and hormonal cues. These signals collectively shape adipocyte biology and match metabolic output to balance systemic energy demands. Brown and beige adipocytes are types of fat cells that possess a profound capacity to expend energy and are classified more generally as thermogenic adipocytes. This calorie-burning capacity is particularly appealing as a potential therapeutic approach to counteract metabolic disease. However, we currently lack the means of safely harnessing thermogenic adipose activity.

In this project, we will directly address this gap-in-knowledge by exploring novel mechanisms of G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) control of human thermogenic adipose in close collaboration with Professor Erik Richter, Associate Professor Steen Larsen, Associate Professor Camilla Schéele, and Professor Thue Schwartz at the University of Copenhagen. We will take advantage of a battery of interdisciplinary, big data approaches to identify candidate regulators. We will then apply state-of-the-art phenotyping and pharmacological strategies to characterize the physiological role of such candidates in adipose metabolism. Where possible, we will leverage our basic research findings toward the development of novel innovative treatment strategies.

Find out more about the Gerhart-Hines lab here: https://cbmr.ku.dk/research/nutrient-and-metabolite-sensing/gerhart-hines-group/

Job Description
We seek an enthusiastic, passionate scientist with medical training who is interested in applying their expertise to the discovery and characterization of new adipose GPCR signalling mechanisms. You will have the opportunity to learn and apply a variety of clinical techniques, such as tissue microdialysis sampling. You will interrogate candidate GPCR signalling in mouse and human adipocytes as well as adipose-specific mouse models using an array of pharmacological and metabolic phenotyping strategies.

Profile
The fellowship is aimed at early career researchers with a basic science background or clinicians who aspire to a career in academic medicine. We are particularly interested in candidates who are familiar with integrative research approaches within the broad area of basic metabolic research with an application towards human pathophysiology.

Required qualifications:

• Ph.D. in Biology, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Molecular Biomedicine, or related sciences
• M.D.
• Excellent scientific track record in relation to career stage
• Profound knowledge of adipose tissue biology and metabolic disease
• Knowledge of GPCR signalling and pharmacology
• Experience with writing clinical protocols and biopsy techniques (such as the Bergström method)
• Excellent English communication skills, both written and oral

Eligibility
The CBMR International Postdoctoral Program is open for applicants that hold a PhD degree awarded from a university outside of Denmark. The PhD degree must be obtained before October 1, 2022. The program is also open for applicants with a Danish PhD degree who can document at least 12 months full-time research experience from outside Denmark. You are not eligible to apply for the program if you have been employed in a postdoctoral position for more than one year at the University of Copenhagen prior to the commencement of the fellowship.

Terms of Employment
The employment as a postdoc is a full-time (37 working hours per week) position for 3 years. Starting date is October 1, 2022.

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). Depending on qualifications, a supplement may be negotiated.
Non-Danish and Danish applicants may be eligible for tax reductions if they hold a PhD degree and have not been tax liable to Denmark within the last 10 years.

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

Questions
For further information about the position, please contact Associate Professor Gerhart-Hines at [email protected].
Questions regarding the CBMR International Postdoctoral Program must be directed to [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 may 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 PhD degree and Master’s degree certificate or equivalent. In case the PhD has not yet been completed, a written statement from the supervisor is acceptable.
• List of publications
• References (name and contact details of at least two references)

Application Deadline: April 11, 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.

Kilde: Jobnet.dk