Postdoc in Cellular, Molecular and Behavioral studies related to Alcohol Use Disorder

We are looking for a highly motivated and dynamic postdoc for a 2-year position to start 1 May 2025. This position is to participate in the Lundbeck Experiment funded project entitled: Can a dietary strategy reverse neuronal and glial alcohol related dysfunction? The post doc will conduct electrophysiological (patch clamp recordings), optical, metabolism and behavioral studies at the Dept of Drug Design and Pharmacology at the University of Copenhagen and the Mental Health Centre Copenhagen at Copenhagen University Hospital Frederiksberg-Bispebjerg to elucidate the mechanism of action of medium chain fatty acids in management of alcohol use disorder.

Information on the Dept of Drug Design and Pharmacology can be found at: https://drug.ku.dk/

Information on the Psychiatric Center can be found at: https://www.psykiatri-regionh.dk/centre-og-social-tilbud/Psykiatriske-centre/Psykiatrisk-Center-Koebenhavn/Undersoegelse-og-behandling/Neuropsykiatrisk-Laboratorium/Sider/default.aspx



Our research
We focus on elucidating mechanisms of action of therapeutics implicated in diseases and disorders affecting cognitive behavior. This project will evaluate neural and glial damage induced by exposure to alcohol and determine whether a dietary intervention can reverse this damage, with relevance to alcohol use disorder. Teamwork is a key element of our success, and this project will be carried out in a partnership between 3 laboratories. Inclusivity is central to our approach, and we seek to ensure a balanced project composition in terms of gender, internationalization, and age. We encourage open exchange of ideas and foster a collaborative culture that spans disciplines and national borders.



Your job
As a post doc in this project, your job will be primarily research-based but will also involve teaching within the Department of Drug Design’s bachelor and master’s Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Science programs. You will contribute to the development of the department through research of high international quality. In your daily work, you will work closely with colleagues on your project, where you will receive supervision and guidance. Your project will focus on evaluation of the novel hypothesis that medium chain fatty acids (MCTs) alter the excitatory/inhibitory balance in signaling induced by chronic alcohol exposure, which could underlie therapeutic effects seen in those with alcohol use disorder who adhere to the ketogenic diet.

In this proposal, using a mouse model of AUD, you will evaluate in 3 work packages across 3 laboratories: the behavioral effects of MCTs in AUD, whether MCT mediates changes in activity of neurons and astrocytes, and whether changes in metabolism are induced, in order to explore the mechanisms underlying the effectiveness of the ketogenic diet in management of AUD. Further, we will explore the intracellular mechanisms that could underlie the alteration.

Your main tasks will consist of

• Independent research of high international quality, including publication of research findings
• Training students and contributing to teaching activities
• Conducting electrophysiology in brain slices
• Conducting single photon calcium imaging in brain slices
• Conducting optogenetic stimulation of virally transfected brain slices
• Conducting metabolic studies in mouse brain slices
• Conducting behavioral assays in a mouse model of alcohol use disorder
• Collaborating with Danish and international research groups
• Contributing to ongoing collaborations with academia
• Presentation of research findings at local and international meetings

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 Neuroscience, Pharmaceutical Science or a related field.
• You have published a scientific article as first author in a peer reviewed journal.
• You can demonstrate that you work well in a team.
• You have excellent written and spoken English skills.
• You are authorized to work with laboratory animals (i.e., have completed course in Laboratory Animal Science, FELASA accredited). Applicants who do not hold this certification will be required to complete it before starting any in vivo work.

Desirable experience and skills:

• You have experience with conducting patch clamp electrophysiology in mouse brain slices.
• You have experience with fluorescent microscopy.
• You have experience with conducting animal behavioral experiments.
• You have experience working in interdisciplinary settings.
• You have experience with international collaborations.

Place of employment

The primary place of employment is at the Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology at the University of Copenhagen. As this is a collaborative project conducted across 3 laboratories, some of the work will be done at Bispebjerg Hospital, which is 2.4 kilometers from the Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology. We offer creative and stimulating working conditions in a dynamic and international research environment. Our research facilities include modern laboratories, run by experienced laboratory managers.



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 2 years. The starting date is 1 May 2025, or after agreement.

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 38,500 DKK/approx. 5,100 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 Kristi A. Kohlmeier: [email protected]

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: 7 Feb 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 weeks 9