A two-year postdoctoral position is available in our Neurobiology project DEVELOPNOID, aiming at characterizing neurological diseases using stem-cell derived brain organoids and Omics technologies.

The position is for two years' duration, but with the possibility for extension.

Application deadline: 2 February 2023.
Expected starting date: 1 April 2023.

Background:
Recently, the possibility to differentiate human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) into organized 3D structures, brain organoids, has provided an efficient tool to study neuronal development using more mature neurons than neurons obtained from 2D culture systems. Brain organoids are formed by cellular self-organization of neurons and astrocytes, resulting in the formation of distinct and interdependent brain regions ex vivo.

Moreover, brain organoids developed over extended periods exhibit active neuronal networks, including the formation of organized and active synapses. The cellular diversity and 3D organization observed in brain organoids represent an advantage for modelling complex interactions observed in the neural microenvironment, including synaptic transmission in synaptosomes. Brain organoids are therefore ideal to study various neurological diseases using iPSCs generated from healthy and diseased patients and reveal disease pathogeneses distinct from any other model systems available.

The project aims at characterizing molecular processes underlying disease development in developing brain organoids derived from patient iPSCs using quantitative proteomics, modification specific proteomics (PTMomics), metabolomics, bioinformatics and imaging.

Location of the project:
The project is taking place in the research group of Professor Martin R. Larsen, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the University of Southern Denmark, but is part of a larger interdisciplinary project, DEVELOPNOID, including several partners in Denmark and internationally.

The Larsen research group is part of the Protein Research Group (PRG) at the University of Southern Denmark (sdu) in Odense, Denmark. Odense is located only one hour from the capital of Denmark, Copenhagen. The PRG was founded 48 years ago by the recognized protein and biological mass spectrometry researcher Professor Peter Roepstorff and is internationally recognized for their contributions within biological mass spectrometry, proteomics, PTMomics, biomedical research and clinical proteomics. The PRG consist today of a large international research environment with eight individual research groups and more than 60 scientists, postdocs and students who share laboratory facilities and research environment. The PRG has a fantastic student environment with many multicultural inputs and significant know-how in protein chemistry.

The PRG has the newest mass spectrometers for biological mass spectrometry applications including one Orbitrap Lumos Tribrid, one Orbitrap Eclipse Tribrid, two Orbitrap Exploris480, two Q-Exactive HF and one Bruker TIMS TOF Pro. In addition, the PRG has a large fully equipped protein chemistry/proteomics laboratory, cell laboratory facilities and bioinformatics that will be available for the present project. The Larsen Group has recently set up the 3D brain organoid technology to study early brain development in health and diseases.

The Larsen group has for the past 20 years developed many methods for assessment of PTMs in proteomics, including the Titanium Dioxide method (Larsen MR et al., Mol. Cell. Proteomics 2005) used by many research groups worldwide for isolation of phosphorylated peptides for characterization of signal transduction pathways in mammalian systems. Furthermore, we have developed methods to access sialylated N-linked glycosylation, Cysteine modifications, lysine acetylation and O-GlcNAcylation. The research focus of the Larsen group is centered around investigation of the role of these PTMs in system biology and biomedicine and on the development of new innovative methods for assessment of other PTMs in biological samples. The Larsen group has a significant amount of national and international collaborations and is publishing in higher ranging journals.

Qualifications
A successful candidate would have a PhD degree in biochemistry, cell biology, molecular biology, proteomics, or a related field and is highly motivated and innovative. A candidate should have significant experience in stem cell differentiation, generation of 3D cultures (brain organoids), functional proteomics, post-translational modification analysis or LC-based mass spectrometry. Excellent communication and writing skills and an ability to interact socially and scientifically with other laboratory members and collaborators are essential. Previous postdoc experience and a strong publication record are also strong merits.

For further information please contact Professor Martin R. Larsen, e-mail: [email protected].

Application, salary etc.
The successful applicant will be employed in accordance with the agreement between the Ministry of Finance and AC (the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations). Please check links for more information on salary and taxation.

The application must be written in English and include the following:
• A curriculum vitae including information on previous employment.
• A full list of publications stating the scientific publications on which the applicant wishes to rely.
• Statement of research interests and previous achievements (maximum one page).
• Signed letters of reference from at least two senior researchers (scanned copies acceptable).

Shortlisting may be used in the assessment process.

Incomplete applications and applications received after the deadline will neither be considered nor evaluated.

To qualify you must have passed a PhD or equivalent. Applications will be assessed by an expert assessor/committee. Applicants will be informed of their assessment by the university.

The University wishes our staff to reflect the diversity of society and thus welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background.

Applications must be submitted electronically using the link "Apply online". Attached files must be in Adobe PDF or Word format. Each box can only contain a single file of max. 10 Mb. We strongly recommend that you read How to apply before you apply.

Further information for international applicants about entering and working in Denmark.