Postdoctoral Research Associate in the Ochs Group at the Biotech Research & Innovation Centre (BRIC)

A position as Postdoctoral Research Associate is available at the Biotech Research & Innovation Centre (BRIC) (https://www.bric.ku.dk) in the group headed by Associate Professor Dr. Fena Ochs. The post is available from the 1st of April 2025 (or at an alternative mutually agreed date). Highly motivated candidates with an interest in 3D chromatin organisation and/or DNA repair are encouraged to apply. This post is fully funded.

The Biotech Research & Innovation Centre (BRIC)
BRIC was established in 2003 by the Danish Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation to form an elite centre in biomedical research. BRIC’s mission is devoted to biomedical research, primarily within cancer and neurological diseases. Our goal is to contribute to a basic understanding of how and why disease occurs, to discover new disease-related genes, potential targets and biomarkers, in order to provide more efficient treatments for patients. BRIC is embedded into the Faculty of Health & Medical Sciences at the University of Copenhagen.

The working language at BRIC is English.

Our group and research
The Ochs group (https://www.bric.ku.dk/research-groups/Research/ochs-group/) aims to decipher the molecular interplay of DNA repair and 3D chromatin organization, and to understand how dysregulation of 3D chromatin organization leads to genome instability and cancer. We develop and apply cutting-edge super-resolution microscopy technology for single molecule imaging in intact cell and tissue samples, with the ambition that our findings may contribute to the development of new clinical treatment strategies. The research in the Ochs group is generously supported by the Novo Nordisk Foundation and Danish Cancer Society.

Project description
The successful candidate will apply cutting edge gene editing by CRISPR/Cas, super-resolution microscopy and AI-aided image analysis to study the mechanisms of genome stability maintenance by the cohesin complex. The projects will benefit from access to cutting-edge microscopy equipment, mass spectrometry, screening and computational biology infrastructure at BRIC and the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences. Collaborations are in place locally and internationally to access additional facilities and techniques including Hi-C/Micro-Capture C and polymer modelling.

Start date:                                               1st of April 2025 (or at a mutually agreed date)

Duration:                                                 1 year (in the first instance, with possibility of extension to 3 years)
Weekly working hours:                          37

Key criteria for the assessment of applicants

• Applicants should hold a PhD degree in biology, biochemistry, cell biology, biophysics, biomedicine or a related discipline, preferably with a background in chromatin organization and/or DNA repair.
• Significant expertise in mammalian tissue culture, cloning and molecular biology. CRISPR/Cas9 or microscopy expertise will be an advantage.
• At least one first author primary paper published in a reputable scientific journal, or a first author manuscript deposited on bioRxiv, or a submitted manuscript under review at a reputable scientific journal (must be submitted with the application to be considered).
• A high degree of independence, motivation, attention to detail and proactiveness.
• Excellent time-management, self-organisation and teamwork skills
• Fluency in written and spoken English.

Place of employment
The place of employment is the Biotech Research and Innovation Centre (BRIC), Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Denmark. We offer creative and stimulating working conditions in a dynamic and international research environment. Our research facilities include modern laboratories and access to state-of-the-art equipment.

Terms of employment
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 35,000 DKK/approx. 4,700 EUR (October 2021 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 Associate Professor Dr Fena Ochs ([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:

• Motivation letter (max. two pages)
• CV incl. education, work/research experience, language skills, publications, outreach/management/teaching, and other skills relevant for the position.
• 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.

Deadline for applications: 1st of February 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.

The Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences comprises approximately 7,850 students, 1,700 PhD students and 4,800 employees. The Faculty advances the field of health sciences through its core activities: research, teaching, knowledge sharing and communication. With basic research fields ranging from molecular studies to studies of society, the Faculty contributes to a healthy future through its graduates, research findings and inventions benefitting patients and the community.
The University of Copenhagen wishes to reflect the surrounding community and invites all regardless of personal background to apply for the position.