The University of Copenhagen actively influences current and future generations through excellent research, education and co-operation. UCPH is one of the highest ranked universities in Europe and is Denmark’s oldest university, founded in 1479. Today, the University has 40,000 students and 9,000 employees affiliated across six faculties: humanities, law, natural sciences, social sciences, health sciences and theology.
Four three-year post doc positions within biophysics, biochemistry, biology and pharmacy are available from May 1st, 2016, at the University of Copenhagen, Denmark under the project “Synergy - Investigating the potential of the protein-membrane co-structural dynamics as a new therapeutic avenue”. The aim of the project is to understand how co-structural dynamics of proteins/membrane proteins and membrane constituents affect function by integrating structural biology, biochemistry, biophysics and cell biology. Four carefully selected fuzzy protein:lipid complexes will be investigated with respect to membrane interactions and with the goal of understanding how they can be therapeutically targeted: α-synuclein, tissue factor/Factor VII/Factor X/tissue factor pathway inhibitor, cytokine receptors and the sodium proton exchanger
1. The Novo Nordisk Foundation funds the project.
Post: post doc.
Research environment
The project is executed collaboratively between four strong research groups at the University of Copenhagen. The applicant will work with all four groups but will be anchored at one of the research groups. The groups combine cell biology, X-ray and neutron small-angle scattering methods, NMR spectroscopy, crystallography and biophysics to study the structure, function and dynamics of proteins. Research within the groups covers a broad range of areas in protein science including structural biology and advanced biophysics.
Projects and specific qualifications
Post Doc 1: will be in charge of structural data collection, analysis and modeling, with particular emphasis on the drugability of the four systems to be investigated. She/he will drive the coupling between the functional assays and structural investigations, using in particular BioSAXS analysis as a screening tool, when testing the influence of peptide or small molecule drug candidates on the structural dynamics of the macromolecular ensembles. The ideal candidate has a broad background in biostructural research, and has documented experience in BioSAXS. She/he has interest in the pharmaceutical aspects of biostructural analysis, and a thorough biostructurally based understanding of macromolecular interactions and dynamics. The post doc will be based in Associate Prof. Bente Vestergaard’s BioSAXS group in the Biostructural Research section at the Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology.
Post Doc 2: will be in charge of SAXS/SANS experiments, data analysis and the structural modelling of the four systems to be investigated. He/she will drive the development, integration and adaptation of new methods of SAXS/SANS data analysis and modelling of the investigated protein-membrane complexes. The ideal candidate has a background in physics, biophysics or physical chemistry, has documented experience in SAXS and SANS along with a strong interest and experience in molecular modelling and advanced data analysis. The Post Doc will be based in Prof. Lise Arleth’s group in the section for X-ray and neutron Science at the Niels Bohr Institute.
Post Doc 3: will be in charge of NMR spectroscopy experiments, data analyses, and structure determination. He/she will be the main responsible for implementing new methods for the study of membrane protein and lipid interactions and their co-dynamics by NMR spectroscopy, as well as determination of lipid interaction sites in the extracellular, intramembrane and intracellular domains. The ideal candidate has a solid background in structural biology and protein NMR spectroscopy, has documented experience in membrane protein science and knowledge on intrinsically disordered protein. The post doc will be based in Prof. Birthe B. Kragelund’s group in the Structural Biology and NMR laboratory at the Department of Biology.
Post Doc 4: will be in charge of the experimental model systems addressing the cellular mechanisms and functions of membrane lipid-interactions of the Na+/H+ exchanger and α-synuclein, and a subset of these experiments for cytokine receptors. This will include genetic and pharmacological manipulation of membrane lipid composition, in combination with determination of the regulation and function of the above-mentioned proteins in a cellular context. In collaboration with the Danish Cancer Society Research Center, the candidate will also be involved in analyses of membrane lipidomics in normal cells and cancer cells. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in cell and molecular biology, ideally within studies of membrane proteins, and documented experience within cellular imaging and ion transport and/or cancer biology. The post doc will be based in Prof. Stine F. Pedersen’s group in the Section for Cell Biology and Physiology at the Department of Biology.
General Qualifications
We are looking for four excellent, ambitious and highly motivated individuals with a Ph.D. degree in the fields of physics, biology, biochemistry, chemistry, pharmaceutical sciences, nanotechnology or related areas.
Applicants must document their successful PhD studies by at least one first-author publication in a respectable international journal. Candidates must have good interpersonal and communication skills and excellent English writing skills are a requirement.
The positions are open to all applicants regardless of nationality.
Terms of salary and employment
Terms of appointment and payment are in accordance with the agreement between the Danish Ministry of Finance and the Danish Federation of Professional Associations (AC). The starting salary for candidates with a Ph.D. degree will be between DKK 385.140 and DKK 405.501 plus a 17% pension contribution. The University of Copenhagen wishes to reflect the diversity of society and welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background.
Application Applicants are requested to submit their application below including:
- A cover letter
- Curriculum vitae
- List of publications
- Transcript of university examinations
- Contact details of persons for references
- Letters of recommendation
Application deadline: 29-02-2016
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