149637 Associate Professor of Extracellular Matrix Oxidation

Department of Biomedical Science
Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences
University of Copenhagen

The University seeks to appoint an associate professor to the Department of Biomedical Science to commence as soon as possible.

Information on the Department can be found at: https://sund.ku.dk/.

Job description

A 2-year research position funded by the Novo Nordisk Foundation is available in the group of Professor Michael Davies (Department of Biomedical Sciences) with a starting date of 1 September 2019 or as soon as possible thereafter. The “Oxidative Biology of Proteins” Group led by Professor Michael Davies carries out research focused on understanding and characterizing the mechanisms and consequences of protein modification, a process of major importance in human diseases as well as the deterioration of foods and pharmaceutical materials.

Increasing literature data indicates that chronic low-grade inflammation is a major risk factor for a significant number of human pathologies including some forms of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, arthritis, rheumatism, asthma, cystic fibrosis, some cancers, and multiple neurodegenerative conditions amongst others. These diseases are associated with increasing age and are associated with high levels of morbidity and mortality. These diseases are major public health priorities and have significant impacts on budgetary resources due to the increasing longevity and exposure to environmental and lifestyle risk factors such as the metabolic syndrome and obesity within the EU population. Chronic low-grade inflammatory disease is associated with increased numbers of stimulated leukocytes (e.g. neutrophils, monocytes and macrophages), at sites of inflammation. These cells can release potent reactive oxidants and proteases that may inflict damage and post-translational modifications to biological targets. Proteins have been shown to be major sites of damage due to their abundance and high rates of reactions with many oxidants, and increasing emphasis is being placed on understanding the nature of these reactions, the products that can be formed, the potential use of stable products as disease biomarkers, and the consequences of these reactions for cellular, tissue and organism function.

Extracellular matrix (ECM) and other long-lived proteins have considerable potential as biomarkers for inflammatory diseases and potential surrogates for examining the efficacy of novel therapeutic interventions. However, the detailed molecular structures of these modified proteins are poorly characterized, which is hindering a greater understanding of disease development. Using state-of-the-art analytical (LC-MS/MS, UPLC) and protein biochemical methods (gels, Western blotting), extracellular matrix proteins exposed to inflammatory oxidants and activated leukocytes will be analyzed to determine the extent and sites of modifications and the structural and functional consequences of these events.

The associate professor’s responsibilities will primarily consist of:

• Research, including publication/academic dissemination in the field of cross-linking and oxidation of extracellular matrix proteins and the role of these processes in disease

• Research-based teaching, including associated examination

• Research leadership, including guidance and supervision of researchers

• Obligation to share knowledge with the rest of society, including participation in public debate

• Academic assessments

Required qualifications

The successful applicant should be able to document:

• Appointment as associate professor depends on research qualifications at the level that can be achieved by satisfactorily completing a period of employment as an assistant professor/postdoc, but may also be obtained in other ways

• Teaching qualifications and pedagogical competencies

• Research-based teaching

• High level experience with state-of-the-art mass spectrometry, chromatographic separation methods and LC-MS/MS

• Experience in protein handling, extraction, purification and analysis

• Experience with gel electrophoresis

• Knowledge of extracellular matrix materials

• Experience in protein / peptide sequencing and detection and quantification of post-translational modifications

• Experience with data analysis software relevant to protein mass spectroscopy, and particularly cross-link detection

• Experience in protein oxidation processes and redox regulation

• Supervisory experience

The associate professor is also required to possess good interpersonal and communicative skills.

Terms of employment

Salary and other terms and conditions of appointment are set in accordance with the Agreement between the Ministry of Finance and AC (Danish Confederation of Professional Associations) or other relevant professional organisations.

The position is covered by the Job Structure for Academic Staff at Universities 2013.

Questions

For further information, please contact Head of Department Cathrine Ørskov, [email protected], https://sund.ku.dk/.

Foreign applicants may find this link useful: https://www.ism.ku.dk/ (International Staff Mobility).

Application

The application must be submitted in English and must include the following documents:

• Application, including motivations for applying for this position (Maximum 2 pages)

• Curriculum vitae, including a list of publications

• Diplomas (Master’s, PhD, and other relevant certificates)

• A complete list of publications

• Research plan (3‐5 pages)

• Uploads of maximum 5 publications to be considered in the assessment

• Teaching plan

• Teaching portfolio (Guidelines: https://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/job-application-portfolio)

Application procedure

After the expiry of the deadline for applications, the authorized recruitment manager selects applicants for assessment on the advice of the Appointments Committee. All applicants are then immediately notified whether their application has been passed for assessment. The Dean then appoints an expert assessment committee in order to make an assessment of the selected applicants for the specific post. Selected applicants are notified of the composition of the committee and 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://jobportal.ku.dk/.

Please note that the applicant will be contacted if the assessment committee requires further documentation.

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 University of Copenhagen encourages all interested applicants to apply for this position.

Please submit the application with the required attachments. Only online applications will be accepted. The closing date for applications is 23.59 p.m. CET, 25 June 2019.

Kilde: Jobnet.dk