PhD fellowship in Molecular Physiology

The Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports, Section for Molecular Physiology invites applicants for a PhD fellowship in human muscle cell biology. The project is part of a 5y research project “SIDETRAC”, which is financed by the Novo Nordisk Foundation

Start date is (expected to be) February 1st 2024 or as soon as possible thereafter.

The project
Skeletal muscle is the body´s largest tissue and pivotal to whole-body metabolic health and movement. Conditions such as overweight, inactivity, fasting and ageing disrupt the metabolic regulation of muscle fibers (adult multinucleated muscle cells) within skeletal muscle and cause loss of muscle mass and strength. Conversely, exercise improves metabolic and functional performance and preserves the mass of skeletal muscle. Despite the known importance of skeletal muscle to whole-body health, there are currently no drugs targeted specifically at mechanisms within skeletal muscle. Identifying such druggable mechanisms in skeletal muscle requires molecular mechanistic research, preferably in a model faithfully resembling human skeletal muscle fibers.

The obvious choice of experimental model would be human skeletal myotubes (in vitro multinucleated muscle cells derived from cultured myoblasts). However, poor human skeletal myotube maturation and low insulin-responsiveness achieved in conventional myotube cell cultures have limited their utility in mechanistic studies of human metabolism. Emerging techniques for engineering 2D and 3D in vitro models of human tissue promise to address these shortcomings. Meanwhile, the muscle engineering field has until now focused on regeneration rather than metabolism. In collaboration with researchers at DTU and Novo Nordisk, we have for the past years worked to develop more metabolically mature primary human myotubes by combining 3D printed substrates, electrically stimulated contraction and co-culture with nerve cells and this model have now matured to a stage where their utility for mechanistic studies makes sense to explore in parallel.

The aim of this PhD project will be to optimize workflows for protein/PTM manipulation and relevant endpoint assays (glucose transport, protein synthesis, protein breakdown) in human primary myotubes. These tools will then be used to follow up on candidate proteins/post-translational modifications (PTMs) from several proteomic screens in human and mouse skeletal muscle to unravel the role of novel proteins/PTMs to skeletal muscle size and metabolic regulation.

Who are we looking for?
We are looking for candidates within the field(s) of molecular cell biology, cell signaling and metabolic regulation and with knowhow within mechanistic studies thereof. Applicants should have a background within molecular cell biology. Specific knowledge of techniques to manipulate cellular protein expression and function, biochemical analyses and confocal microscopy is an advantage. Prior experience with models of skeletal muscle including human primary myotubes and exercise physiology is an advantage but not a requirement.

Our group and research- and what do we offer?
Our research group “Muscle Growth and Metabolism” focuses broadly on understanding the molecular mechanisms governing skeletal muscle growth and metabolism in the context of exercise, physical inactivity and obesity. Our research team has broad methodological expertise within skeletal muscle biochemical methods, human muscle imaging and rodent muscle biosensor-enhanced imaging and collaborate with world-leading capacities within cellular imaging, muscle mass spectrometry, redox signaling and more. At any given time, we are 1-2 post docs, 2-3 PhD students, 4 shared research technicians (with 3 other research groups) and a varying number of project-students (master, bachelor, exchang.)

The group is a part of Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports, Faculty of SCIENCE, University of Copenhagen. We are located at the northern campus of University of Copenhagen in Copenhagen.

We offer creative and stimulating working conditions in dynamic and international research environment. Our research facilities include a modern unique range of laboratories for cell culture, rodent and human experimental work.

Principal supervisor is asscociate professor Thomas E. Jensen, Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports, Section for Molecular Physiology, Muscle Growth and Metabolism Group, [email protected], Direct Phone: +45 30593437.

The PhD programme

A three year full-time study within the framework of the regular PhD programme (5+3 scheme), if you already have an education equivalent to a relevant Danish master’s degree.

Qualifications needed for the regular programme
To be eligible for the regular PhD programme, you must have completed a degree programme, equivalent to a Danish master’s degree (180 ECTS/3 FTE BSc + 120 ECTS/2 FTE MSc) related to the subject areas of the project, e.g. physiology, cell biology, biology, biochemistry, biomedicine. For information of eligibility of completed programmes, see General assessments for specific countries and Assessment database.

Terms of employment in the regular programme
Employment as PhD fellow is full time and for maximum 3 years.

Employment is conditional upon your successful enrolment as a PhD student at the PhD School at the Faculty of SCIENCE, University of Copenhagen. This requires submission and acceptance of an application for the specific project formulated by the applicant.

Terms of appointment and payment accord to the agreement between the Danish Ministry of Taxation and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State. The position is covered by the Protocol on Job Structure.

Responsibilities and tasks

• Complete and pass the MSc education in accordance with the curriculum of the MSc programme
  (ONLY when you are attending the integrated MSc and PhD programme)
• Carry through an independent research project under supervision
• Complete PhD courses corresponding to approx. 30 ECTS / ½ FTE
• Participate in active research environments, including a stay at another research institution, preferably abroad
• Teaching and knowledge dissemination activities
• Write scientific papers aimed at high-impact journals
• Write and defend a PhD thesis on the basis of your project

We are looking for the following qualifications:

• Professional qualifications relevant to the PhD project
• Relevant publications
• Relevant work experience
• Other relevant professional activities
• Curious mind-set with a strong interest in health-beneficial effects of exercise, muscle biology and cell signaling
• Good language skills

Application and Assessment Procedure

Your application including all attachments must be in English and submitted electronically by clicking APPLY NOW below.

Please include:

1. Your motivation for applying for the specific PhD project/State which PhD project you are applying for (ved multiopslag)/Project proposal
2. Curriculum vitae including information about your education, experience, language skills and other skills relevant for the position
3. Original diplomas for Bachelor of Science or Master of Science and transcript of records in the original language, including an authorized English translation if issued in another language than English or Danish. If not completed, a certified/signed copy of a recent transcript of records or a written statement from the institution or supervisor is accepted.
4. Publication list (if possible)
5. Reference letters (if available)

Application deadline:

The deadline for applications is Wednesday 18 October 2023, 23:59 GMT+1.

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 deadline, a number of applicants will be selected for academic assessment by an unbiased expert assessor. You are notified, whether you will be passed for assessment.

The assessor will assess the qualifications and experience of the shortlisted applicants with respect to the above mentioned research area, techniques, skills and other requirements. The assessor will conclude whether each applicant is qualified and, if so, for which of the two models. The assessed applicants will have the opportunity to comment on their assessment. You can read about the recruitment process at http://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/.

Questions
For specific information about the PhD fellowship, please contact the principal supervisor.

General information about PhD study at the Faculty of SCIENCE is available at the PhD School’s website: https://www.science.ku.dk/phd/.

The University of Copenhagen wishes to reflect the surrounding community and invites all regardless of personal background to apply for the position.

Kilde: Jobnet.dk