We invite applications for a PhD Fellowship in Single Cell Proteomics commencing 1 September 2024 or as soon as possible thereafter. The position will be based at the NNF Center for Protein Research (CPR) and Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine (ICMM), University of Copenhagen and close collaboration with the Omics Technologies Department , Translational Research at Novo Nordisk A/S. Information about CPR can be found at: www.cpr.ku.dk

Our research
The successful candidate will join the Olsen Group at the Center for Protein Research led by Professor Jesper Velgaard Olsen. We specialize in quantitative, high-resolution mass spectrometry-based proteomics. Our primary focus includes advancing mass spectrometric technology and exploring biological applications, with a particular emphasis on addressing crucial questions in biology and biomedicine. Our goal is to contribute significantly to understanding signaling networks and their impact on cellular responses, particularly in human disease models and in primary human tissues.

The Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine (ICMM) offers an ambitious scientific environment, with many different nationalities represented. ICMM aims to produce research with high international impact focusing on the functional cell, its genetic components and molecular cellular mechanisms in a medical context. ICMM currently comprises five research programmes, three high profile Research Centers as well as a number of international research groups. The scientists at ICMM are involved in high quality research based undergraduate and graduate teaching programs at the University of Copenhagen. You can read more at https://icmm.ku.dk/english/

The project is part of an exciting research collaboration project between Novo Nordisk a/s, Copenhagen University Hospital Hvidovre and University of Copenhagen using state-of-the-art single-cell sequencing technologies for deep molecular profiling of paired samples in healthy patients and patients with obesity, T2D, and/or MASLD. The overall aims of the collaborative project are to provide new disease insights, identification of novel drug targets and biomarker discovery.

Project description

The PhD project in single-cell proteomics aims to develop a high-throughput and high-sensitivity method for LC-MS/MS-based spatial-proteomics on FFPE samples from liver and adipose tissue (WAT/SAT) and single cells proteomics (SCP) on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from patient samples collected as part of the CELLFI cohort. In addition, we aim to develop methods for SCP analyses on fresh liver and adipose tissue using relevant pre-clinical animal models that translates well to human sample.

The selected candidate will spearhead the development of proteomics sample preparation protocols for high-throughput single-cell proteomics analysis by high-resolution mass spectrometry and their application to patient liver samples, adipose tissue and PBMCs from the CELLFI cohort.

In addition to the main project tasks, the role provides avenues for the successful applicant to contribute to other ongoing projects within the Olsen group.

Principal supervisor: Professor Jesper Velgaard Olsen, NNF Center for Protein Research, University of Copenhagen. E-mail: [email protected]

Co-advisors: Principal Scientist Mads Grønborg, Omics Technologies Department, Translational Research, Novo Nordisk A/S, Professor Lise Lotte Gluud, Gastro Unit, Copenhagen University Hospital Hvidovre

Start: 1 September 2024

Duration: 3 years as a PhD fellow

Job description
Your key tasks as a PhD fellow at SUND are:

• Carrying through an independent research project under supervision.
• Completing PhD courses or other equivalent education corresponding to approximately 30 ECTS points.
• Participating in active research environments including a stay at another research team.
• Obtaining experience with teaching or other types of dissemination related to your PhD project.
• Teaching and disseminating your knowledge.
• Writing a PhD thesis on the grounds of your project.

Essential qualifications and skills

• Master’s degree in analytical chemistry, molecular biology, proteomics, or a related field. Please note that your master’s degree must be equivalent to a Danish master’s degree (two years).
• Documented experience in single-cell proteomics and liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS).
• Experienced in mammalian tissue culture and automated sample preparation workflows for MS-based proteomics.
• Experience with statistical data processing and bioinformatic analysis.
• Proficient in data analysis tools and software relevant to mass spectrometry data with the ability to interpret complex mass spectrometry data and draw meaningful conclusions.
• A strong interest in developing and advancing wet lab methodologies.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Ambition and drive, strong work ethics, and good interpersonal skills.
• Ability to organize time and work effectively and responsibly, independently and in teams.
• Enthusiasm to be part of an interdisciplinary research project and work collaboratively with scientists across a wide range of disciplines.
• Fluency in both written and spoken English (due to the institute's international profile).

Desirable experience and skills

• Experience in quantitative mass spectrometry (MS)-based proteomics including latest generation of MS instrumentation e.g. Orbitrap Astral.
• Proficiency in programming languages, e.g. C/C++, Python, and R.
• Experience with single cell proteomics sample preparation using the cellenONE.

Place of employment

The place of work is at the Center for Protein Research, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen. We offer supportive, creative, and stimulating working conditions within a dynamic and international research environment. Our proteomics research facilities include a LEAF Bronze certified lab with state-of-the-art LC-MS equipment.

All qualified applicants will receive full consideration. Candidates who, through their research, teaching, and/or service, contribute to diversity and competencies of our Institute are encouraged to apply.

The University of Copenhagen strives to offer a family friendly and flexible working environment with a sustainable balance between work- and private life, including parental leave schemes (up to 47 weeks for both parents) and up to six weeks of paid holidays per year. Researchers that have not been tax liable in Denmark for the last 10 years can apply for a special (reduced) tax scheme. The university offers a variety of services for international researchers and accompanying families.

Terms of employment
The average weekly working hours are 37 hours per week.

The position is a fixed-term position limited to a period of 3 years. The starting date is 1 September 2024.

The employment is conditioned upon the applicant’s success­ful enrolment as a PhD student at the Graduate School at the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen. This requires submission and acceptance of an application for the specific project formulated by the applicant.

The PhD study must be completed in accordance with The Ministerial Order on the PhD programme (2013) and the Faculty’s rules on achieving the degree.

Salary, pension and terms of employment are in accordance with the agree­ment between the Ministry of Taxation and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State. Depending on seniority, the monthly salary starts at 28,448 DKK/approximately 3,825 EUR (October 2022 level) plus pension.

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

General information about PhD studies at the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences is available at the Graduate School’s website: https://healthsciences.ku.dk/phd/guidelines/

Application procedure
Your application must be submitted electronically by clicking ‘Apply now’ below. The application must include the following documents in PDF format:

1. Motivated letter of application (max. one page)

2. CV incl. education, experience, language skills and other skills relevant for the position

3. Certified copy of original Master of Science diploma and transcript of records in the original language, including an authorized English translation if issued in other 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. As a prerequisite for a PhD fellowship employment, your master’s degree must be equivalent to a Danish master’s degree. We encourage you to read more in the assessment database: https://ufm.dk/en/education/recognition-and-transparency/find-assessments/assessment-database . Please note that we might ask you to obtain an assessment of your education performed by the Ministry of Higher Education and Science

4. Publication list (if possible)

Application deadline: 24 June 2024, 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.

The assessor makes a non-prioritized assessment of the academic qualifications and experience with respect to the above-mentioned area of research, techniques, skills and other requirements listed in the advertisement.

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 find information about the recruitment process at: https://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/

The applicants 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 wish to reflect the diversity of society and encourage all qualified candidates to apply regardless of personal background.

Kilde: Jobnet.dk