2-year Assistant Professor position in bioengineered neuronal circuits and drug screening

The Human Neural Development research group at the Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Medicine (reNEW), led by PI Agnete Kirkeby, is seeking candidates for an open 2-year Assistant Professor position with start from 1 February 2025 or as soon as possible thereafter.

The position is to develop a microfluidic platform for bioengineered neuronal circuits and high throughput stem cell-based phenotypic drug screen for Parkinson’s Disease.


The research environment
We offer creative and stimulating working conditions in a dynamic and highly international research environment. Our team currently consists of 16 team members at University of Copenhagen, representing a total of 12 different nationalities. Our lab at University of Copenhagen is located in a newly established Center for stem cell medicine (reNEW), placed in modernised research facilities and include state-of-the-art laboratories, pleasant office facilities and access to high-quality core facilities in transcriptomics, imaging, flow cytometry and proteomics.

You can read more about the team here.


Job description
The candidate shall oversee and perform an independent scientific project aimed at developing a drug screening platform for Parkinson Disease based on ventral midbrain dopaminergic neurons derived from human pluripotent stem-cells (hPSCs) cultured together with hPSC-derived astrocytes and microglia. The functional readout of the drug screen would be based on a genetically encoded fluorescence dopamine sensor. Furthermore, advanced disease model would be made using a microfluidic axon guidance technology. The candidate will be applying the following techniques – among others – in the project: hPSCs cell culturing and differentiation to neural progenitors, neurons, astrocytes, and microglia; high-throughput qRT-PCR; high-content immunofluorescence and live-cell confocal imaging and image analysis; silicone microfluidic device design and fabrication; and extrusion 3D printing. The candidate will also be involved in teaching activities and student supervision and training in the department, as well as assisting with the management of the laboratorial activities.


Candidate qualifications
The candidate must hold a PhD degree in developmental biology, biomedical sciences, bioengineering or similar, and possess a solid understanding of neurodevelopment and/or stem cell biology and microfluidic device engineering and at least 4 years of Post-doctoral experience in the field. Practical experience in handling and culturing human pluripotent stem cells and neural differentiation as well as automated imaging is a requirement. Experience with high-through-put qRT-PCR, phenotypic screening, microfluidics culturing systems, confocal imaging, soft-lithography, and 3D printing as well as proven experience in laboratorial management are all considered as greatly advantageous. Good English communication skills, both oral and written, are prerequisite for the candidate. Experience in liquid handling machines and middle-throughput automation, as well as experience in training and supervision of students at all levels will be considered as an advantage.


Place of employment
The place of employment is at the ReNEW, University of Copenhagen. We offer creative and stimulating working conditions in dynamic and international research environment.


Terms of Emplyoment
The average weekly working hours are 37 hours per week.
The employment as assistant professor is a fixed-term position for 2 years. Starting date is 1 February 2025 or as soon as possible thereafter.

Salary, pension and terms of employment will be in accordance with the agreement between the Danish Ministry of Finance and AC (Danish Confederation of Professional Associations). Currently, the monthly salary starts at

38,500 DKK/ approx. 5100 Euro (April 2024-level). Depending on qualifications, a supplement may be negotiated. The employer will pay an additional 17.1 % to your pension fund.

Foreign and Danish applicants may be eligible for tax reductions if they hold a PhD degree and have not lived in Denmark the last 10 years.

The position is covered by the Job Structure for Academic Staff at Universities 2020.


Questions
For further information, please contact associated professor Agnete Kirkeby, [email protected], https://sund.ku.dk/.

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


Application procedure
Your application must be submitted in English by clicking ‘Apply now’ below. Furthermore, your application must include the following documents/attachments – all in PDF format:

1. Motivated letter of application (Max. one page)
2. CV incl. education, work/research experience, language skills and other skills relevant for the position
3. A certified/signed copy of a) PhD certificate and b) Master of Science certificate. If the PhD is not completed, a written statement from the supervisor will do
4. List of publications
5. Teaching portfolio (If applicable)

Deadline for applications: 3 December 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. 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 can read about the recruitment process at http://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/

The applicant will be assessed according to the Ministerial Order no. 242 of 13 March 2012 on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Universities.

We want to reflect the surrounding society and encourage all qualified persons, regardless of personal background, to apply for the position.