Postdoc - LNP Formulation - High Throughput Screening and Characterization – Automation – Upscaling – Targeting – Immunoassays

Who we are

The aim of the Novo Nordisk Foundation Initiative for Vaccines and Immunity (NIVI) is to revolutionize and accelerate vaccine development in Denmark by bridging the gap between academic research and industry innovation. NIVI Research Center is a mission-driven academic research center, anchored at the Department of Immunology and Microbiology at the University of Copenhagen. The primary focus of the center is the development of new or improved vaccine candidates against infectious respiratory diseases including tuberculosis, influenza and group A Streptococcus. NIVI Research Center aims to achieve this by gaining an enhanced understanding of airway immunity and incorporating innovations in vaccine technologies and delivery methods. As the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted, progress and innovation in the vaccine development field holds great promise. However, we still face many scientific hurdles that limit the development of effective vaccines that can rapidly induce broad and long-lasting immunity, particularly against airborne viruses and bacteria. NIVI Research Center is developing an integrated basic and translational research program that aims to fill many of these remaining knowledge gaps and to harness this knowledge to develop more effective vaccines.

 

Position 1. We are searching for a detail-oriented and innovative lipid nanoparticle barcoding and high-throughput screening specialist to join our growing research team. In this role you will design, implement and optimize advanced screening workflows using molecular barcoding, next-generation sequencing, as well as design of experiment and data modeling approaches.

Required qualifications

• PhD in molecular biology, biotechnology, bioengineering, bioinformatics, chemistry or related fields.
• 3+ years hands on experience with high-throughput lipid nanoparticle screening and next generation sequencing.

• Good understanding of mRNA delivery principles and the role of delivery systems in efficient and targeted delivery.
• Experience with automated liquid handling systems and robotic workflows for running high-throughput experiments and processing large datasets. 

Desired qualifications

• Knowledge of various screening strategies (in vitro and in vivo).
• Proven experience with barcoding strategies and multiplexed sample handling.

• Knowledge of Design of Experiment (DOE) principles
• Proficiency in data analysis (data modeling, visualization, statistics).
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail in experimental design and data tracking.
• Working knowledge of machine learning techniques for high-throughput data interpretation.
• Experience integrating wet-lab and dry-lab workflows.

Key responsibilities

• Develop and optimize high-throughput screening workflows, including sample preparation, library pooling and sequencing.
• Design barcoded NGS libraries for high-throughput lipid nanoparticle screening assays.
• Apply design of experiment approaches to systematically explore experimental variables of optimize assay conditions.
• Build and maintain pipelines for data modeling, normalization, and analysis of high-throughput screening results.
• Collaborate closely with molecular biology, automation, and bioinformatics team to ensure seamless data flow and experimental execution.
• Analyze and interpret large-scale sequencing datasets, integrating statistical models to identify hits and patterns.
• Maintain rigorous documentation of protocols and results.

Other skills

• • Problem-solving, critical thinking, effective communication.
  • Excellent organizational skills, strategic thinking.
  • Strong analytical skills and attention to detail.
  • Ability to interact and communicate in multidisciplinary, multifunctional, and multicultural teams.

 

Position 2. We are searching for a PostDoc experienced with formulation and characterization of nanoparticles carrying nucleic acids. If you are familiar with different colloidal systems, such as lipid nanoparticles, emulsions, micelles, polymers or similar, please apply.  We need researchers experienced with upscaling and manufacturing of delivery systems. 

Required qualifications

• PhD in molecular biology, biotechnology, bioengineering, chemistry or related fields.
• Good understanding of analytical techniques for characterizing nanoparticle attributes (e.g., particle size, PDI, encapsulation efficiency, lipid content, impurities). 

• Knowledge of formulation principles, including stability and bioavailability. 

• Ability to develop and optimize lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) and virus-like particles (VLPs) formulations for different delivery routes (e.g., intravenous, nebulization, inhalation). 
  • Good understanding of mRNA delivery principles and the role of LNPs in efficient and targeted delivery.
  • Experience with running both in vitro and in vivo experiments.
  • Ability to attach targeting moieties to nanoparticles.
  • Hands-on experience with flow cytometry instruments and techniques.

Desired qualifications

• • Ability to optimize manufacturing processes for scalability and reproducibility, including batch-to-batch consistency and stability studies. 
  • Ability to develop and validate analytical methods for nanoparticle quality control and stability studies. 
  • Understanding of critical process parameters (CPPs) and critical quality attributes (CQAs) and their impact on LNP production. 
  • Experience with devices employed for airway delivery.
  • Experience with vaccine development.
  • Hands-on experience with the following analytical techniques: HPLC, LC/MS, Capillary Electrophoresis, Light Scattering, X-ray/neutron scattering, UV-vis spectroscopy, fluorescence, spectroscopy, FTIR, Raman spectroscopy, electron microscopy.

Key responsibilities

• Formulate nanoparticles using standard techniques and equipment.
• Analyze nanoparticles for size, zeta potential, and encapsulation efficiency using DLS and RNA content methods.
• Design, develop and conduct large and complex research experiments.
• Share expertise in equipment operation and laboratory techniques.
• Develop and apply analytical characterization methods of nucleic acids and protein loaded nanoparticles.
• Write SOPs, development reports for internal and external use, research papers, etc.

• Train team members and students.
• Maintain document records of all experiments including methods, experimental results, and report accordingly into electronic laboratory notebooks.

Other skills

• • Problem-solving, critical thinking, effective communication.
  • Excellent organizational skills, strategic thinking.
  • Strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
  • Ability to interact and communicate in multidisciplinary, multifunctional, and multicultural teams.

 

Position 3. We are searching for a highly motivated and skilled immunological assays and mucosal delivery specialist to join our growing research team. The successful candidate will play a critical role in designing, executing and analyzing preclinical studies focused on mucosal immunity, with a particle emphasis on airway delivery methods including nebulization and inhalation platforms. This role is ideal for an immunologist with hands-on experience in animal mucosal models, immunoassay development and novel vaccine and therapeutic delivery systems targeting the respiratory tract.

Required qualifications

• PhD in immunology, respiratory biology, biotechnology or related fields.
• Proven hands-on experience with immunological assays such flow cytometry, ELISA, cytokine profiling, cell and tissue staining.
• Demonstrated expertise in mucosal immunity, preferable respiratory immune responses.
• Experience with airway delivery techniques: inhalation, nebulization, intranasal delivery.
• Background in vaccine development.
  • Hands-on experience with flow cytometry instruments and techniques.
  • Hands-on experience with high-content imaging instruments and techniques.

Key responsibilities

• Design and perform in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo immunological assays (ELISA, ELISpot, flow cytometry, multiplex cytokine assays, high content imaging)
• Develop, optimize and execute respiratory system delivery protocols using nebulization, inhalation and intranasal administration.
• Collaborate with formulation scientists to ensure effective mucosal delivery and dosing.
• Analyze immune responses to vaccines, biologics and other therapeutics.
• Maintain accurate experimental records.
• Design, develop and conduct large and complex research experiments.
• Share expertise in equipment operation and laboratory techniques.
• Develop new techniques.
• Refine methodologies to fit specific experiment requirements.
• Write SOPs, development reports for internal and external use, research papers, etc.

• Train team members and students.
• Maintain document records of all experiments including methods, experimental results, and report accordingly into electronic laboratory notebooks.

Other skills

• • Problem-solving, critical thinking, effective communication.
  • Excellent organizational skills, strategic thinking.
  • Strong analytical skills and attention to detail.
  • Ability to interact and communicate in multidisciplinary, multifunctional, and multicultural teams.

 

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 4 years. The starting date is 15 January 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. Depending on qualifications, a supplement may be negotiated. The employer will pay an additional 18.07 % 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 Professor and Group Leader Joanna Rejman, e-mail joanna.rejman@sund.ku.dk.

 

Homepage

www.isim.ku.dk and www.niviresearch.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: 6 November 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 https://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 wish to reflect the diversity of society and encourage all qualified candidates to apply regardless of personal background.