Postdoc position in Molecular Metabolism

Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research
University of Copenhagen

The University of Copenhagen is seeking 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
In the Treebak Group, we aim to define mechanisms linking cellular NAD+ to metabolic health. We want to understand the role of the NAD+ generating and consuming pathways for maintaining tissue function and adaptability in response to metabolic stress. We employ innovative preclinical models to manipulate NAD-related metabolites cell type-specifically and determine functional implications. We have developed several novel and unique experimental models and techniques related to in vivo animal research. Moreover, we apply unbiased omics approaches and analytical pipelines in collaboration with key national and international partners to identify responsible mediators and to determine genotype/phenotype interactions. We are highly motivated and self-driven with a passion for metabolic research. We are part of a strong interdisciplinary, supportive, and diverse environment at CBMR, and we believe that teamwork and engagement are key elements for scientific success. Link to the Treebak Group: https://cbmr.ku.dk/research/integrative-metabolism-and-environmental-influences/treebakgroup/

Job Description
The successful candidate will be involved in a project with the overall aim to determine the importance of the NAD+ biosynthesis capacity of satellite cells for the ability of skeletal muscle to recover from injury. We have generated several transgenic mouse models in which levels of Nampt in satellite cells can be manipulated, and we are currently setting up experimental conditions to induce muscle injury either chemically or via eccentric muscle contractions. Your tasks will be to refine these protocols and use the mouse models to determine whether manipulation of NAD+ in satellite cells affects muscle recovery. You will complement these studies by in vitro experiments in isolated mouse and human satellite cells to determine critical NAD+-dependent nodal points for satellite cell proliferation and differentiation using advanced cell imaging systems. You will be part of a dynamic and highly collaborative research team that strives for scientific excellence, and works for similar overall goals. We rely on each other in practical day-to-day settings as well as for scientific development of the projects. We expect you to carry this team spirit, and at the same time you will be given a high level of independence to drive and develop this project.

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:

• PhD in Biology, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Molecular Biomedicine, or related sciences
• Excellent scientific track record in relation to career stage
• Vast experience with skeletal muscle and/or satellite cell biology
• Experience with handling and breeding of transgenic mice
• An analytical aptitude of devising innovative scientific or technical solutions
• The candidate should be able to conduct independent and creative research, demonstrate scientific productivity, and have a collaborative mindset
• Excellent English communication skills, both written and oral

Desired qualifications:

• Experience with methodologies to induce muscle injury (e.g., CTX or eccentric muscle contractions) and to assess muscle regeneration in vivo and in vitro (e.g., force production/contractile function and immunohistochemical methods, respectively)
• Experience with isolation of satellite cells (e.g., FACS) and primary satellite cell cultures
• Experience with omics (e.g., metabolomics, RNAseq, proteomics) data analysis
• An interest in the study of skeletal muscle NAD metabolism

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 Jonas T. Treebak 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 (max 2 pages)
• 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 confirming it will be obtained before October 1, 2022, 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