Assistant Professor in HERV metabolism & Senescence

We are seeking a highly motivated and dynamic Assistant Professor for a 3-year position, starting April 1, 2025 or soon thereafter.

This role will bridge expertise in cell culture, in vivo, and ex vivo human studies, focusing on the molecular mechanisms of senescence. The primary aim is to explore human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) as markers of cellular senescence and to develop HERV-associated therapies and diagnostics in cell, animal, and ex vivo human systems and organoids.

Information on the department can be found at: https://bmi.ku.dk/  

Our research

Our team investigates models of metabolic senescence in human cells and animals, with HERVs as inducers and models for perturbation. We strive to develop HERV diagnostics into liquid biopsy and histopathological biomarkers, fueling interdisciplinary translational work with a network of biotech and international collaborators. As part of your role, you will leverage your interdisciplinary experience to develop, organize, and secure funding for the expansion of this network.

Your job
Human Endogenous Retrovirus K (HERV-K) represents a fascinating area of study within molecular biology and translational research. HERV-K sequences, remnants of ancient viral infections integrated into the human genome, are implicated in various physiological and pathological processes, making them a compelling subject for biomedical research.

Your tasks would be:

• Conducting advanced research on the molecular mechanisms of cellular senescence, with a specific focus on Human Endogenous Retroviruses (HERVs) as markers.
• Developing and optimizing cell culture, in vivo, and ex vivo human studies to investigate the role of HERVs in senescence.
• Applying HERV-associated therapies and diagnostics in cell, animal, and ex vivo human systems and organoids.
• Collaborating with interdisciplinary teams to advance HERV diagnostics into liquid biopsy and histopathological biomarkers.
• Organizing and leading research projects, including securing funding and managing project timelines.
• Publishing research findings in high-impact scientific journals and presenting at international conferences.
• Mentoring and supervising students and junior researchers in the laboratory.
• Contributing to the development and expansion of the department’s research network with biotech and international collaborators.
• Teaching gastrointestinal and cardiovascular anatomy and histology to medical students
• Overseeing and coordinating EU Horizon Widera projects, ensuring compliance with project goals and timelines.

Profile
We are looking for a highly motivated and enthusiastic scientist with the following competencies and experience:

Essential experience and skills:

• You have a PhD in Basic Metabolic Research
• Be an expert in HERV-K’s implication in cellular senescence, cancer, and aging processes
• The candidate is highly experienced in histological research using various techniques including multiplex in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry
• Be highly experienced brightfield-, advanced fluorescent- and electron microscopical imaging.
• Be proficient in classroom-teaching gastrointestinal and cardiovascular anatomy and histology at university level
• The candidate should have a positive assistant professor evaluation
• Be experienced with EU Horizon Widera projects or similar
• Possess leadership experience in managing research teams and projects
• You have experience and / or interest in working in interdisciplinary projects
• Proficient communication skills and ability to work in teams
• Excellent English skills written and spoken

Desirable experience and skills:

• Proficiency in purifying extracellular vesicles from cell cultures
• Expertise in analyzing HERV-K protein and RNA expression using techniques such as Western Blot (WB), ELISA, qPCR, flow cytometry, and RNA sequencing (RNAseq)
• Experience in generating, managing, and characterizing transgenic mice
• Skilled in designing DNA constructs
• Proficiency in irradiating cells and mice for experimental purposes

Place of employment

The place of employment is at the Department of Biomedical Sciences, Panum Institute, University of Copenhagen. We offer creative and stimulating working conditions in dynamic and international research environment. Our research facilities include modern laboratories.

 

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 April 2025 or soon thereafter.

Salary, pension and other conditions of employment are set in accordance with the Agreement between the Ministry of Taxation and AC (Danish Confederation of Professional Associations) or other relevant organisation. Currently, the monthly salary starts at 38,575 DKK/approx. 5,169 EUR (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 Peter Holst, [email protected], ; www.sund.ku.dk

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

Application procedure
Your online 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.

 

Deadline for applications: 28 January 2025, 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.

 

Interviews are expected to be held in February.

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