Researcher in chronic liver disease post-GWAS analysis using multimodal single-cell sequencing

Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research
University of Copenhagen



We are seeking a highly motivated and dynamic Researcher with expertise in analysis and interpretation of high-throughput multi-omic data (genome-wide association data, single cell and spatial omics etc.) to work in the Hansen Group for Genomic Physiology and Translation. The position is a 2-year position to start November 1, 2024, or after agreement.

Background
The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research (CBMR) is an academic research Center that pioneers groundbreaking research towards better cardiometabolic health. Through collaborative interdisciplinary research from single-cell genomics to whole-body systems, CBMR aims to transform the basic understanding of cardiometabolic health and accelerate its translation into prevention and treatment strategies. The Center’s uniquely multi- and interdisciplinary approach combines research in genetics, physiology and pharma­cology, to better understand the complex interplay of the many factors that drive cardiometabolic disease. You can learn more in the Executive Summary of CBMR's Strategy 2024–2028.

CBMR was established in 2010 at the Faculty of Health & Medical Sciences and has been located in the Maersk Tower at PANUM since 2017. The around 260 employees create an international, highly collaborative research environment across disciplines.

Our group and research
The Hansen Group investigates the human genome and the human global microbiome to characterize the impact of these genomes on health and disease and to identify interactions between the host and the microbiome. You can read more about the Hansen Group here.

Project description
The project aims to use multi-modal single-cell sequencing to partition the genetic risk of metabolic diseases. The project will be based on human liver biopsies, which will be subjected to multiple single-cell, spatial, and other omics assays. Using this multi-modal and multi-tissue dataset in combination with extensive GWAS data available at the CBMR, the goal is to partition the genetic risk of metabolic diseases across tissues and cell types. This will drastically increase the resolution for analyzing GWAS data in its proper biological and clinical context.

Your job
Your responsibilities will include coordination of collaboration between the Hansen group, hospital- and industry partners, and carrying out all major computational analyses of the project: analyzing GWAS data in relation to single cell-, spatial-, and other omics data. This includes QTL and variant-to-function analyses, cell type-specific polygenic risk scores for metabolic diseases for better subtyping of patients. In addition, the tasks include coordinating legal agreements, budgets, data generation and transfer between the project partners and supervising students and coordinating other researchers.

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

• PhD in bioinformatics, computational biology or similar.
• Minimum of three years of postdoc experience.
• Strong project management and coordination skills.
• High level of proficiency in programming and experience in applying statistical methods to genomic data (preferably in the statistical programming language R).
• Experience with various types of post-GWAS analyses (e.g., partitioned heritability, cell type enrichments, statistical fine-mapping, polygenic risk scores).
• Experience with single-cell sequencing analysis and integration of multiple omics assays.
• Knowledge of liver physiology and molecular mechanisms underlying tissue regeneration in relation to metabolic diseases.
• The ability to interpret and communicate genetic results in a physiological and clinical setting together with clinicians.
• Previous experience in working with hospital biobanks and sensitive patient data.
• Experience in coordinating hospital-university-industry collaborations, including legal agreements.
• Interest in teaching and supervision of students and other researchers at different levels.
• Proven track record showing scientific productivity in peer reviewed journals.
• Excellent English communication skills, both written and oral.
• Proficiency in Danish beneficial.

Place of employment
The place of employment is at Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, Maersk Tower, Panum Institute, University of Copenhagen. We offer creative and stimulating working conditions in dynamic and international research environment.

Terms of employment
The employment as Researcher is a full time and fixed-term position for 2 years. Starting date is November 1, 2024.

Salary, pension and terms of employment will be in accordance with the agreement between the Ministry of Taxation and AC (Danish Confederation of Professional Associations). Depending on qualifications, a supplement may be negotiated.

Non-Danish 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 “Memorandum on Job Structure for Academic Staff at the Universities” of June 28, 2013.

Questions
For further information please contact Research Coordinator Lise Ryborg at [email protected]. For questions regarding the recruitment procedure, please contact SUND HR CBMR at [email protected].

International applicants may find these links useful www.ism.ku.dk (International Staff Mobility) and https://www.workindenmark.dk/ .

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.

4. List of publications

Application deadline: 18 August 2024, 23.59pm CEST

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 University of Copenhagen wishes to reflect the diversity of society and welcome applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background.