Postdoctoral researchers in computational and experimental protein design

Affiliation: Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Protein Design

Department of Biology or Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology

University of Copenhagen, Denmark

 

Overview: We seek to appoint several highly motivated and talented postdoctoral researchers for up to four-year positions to help establish a new Center for Protein Design (CPD) at the University of Copenhagen.  We are looking for computational, experimental, and hybrid researchers trained in the biological, physical, engineering, or computational sciences.  However, we will consider applications from suitably qualified people with a passion for advancing de novo protein design. This is the first call for such positions, and other calls will follow over the next few years. 

 

About the CPD: The CPD is a new initiative at the University of Copenhagen.  It will be a multidisciplinary Center that will work across the university—notably with the Departments of Biology, Drug Design and Pharmacology, Chemistry, and Computer Science—and with national and international academic and industrial partners.  The CPD is funded by a 700M DKK (≈94M Euro) grant from the Novo Nordisk Foundation. At capacity, it is anticipated that the CPD will have ≈8 research groups, and ≈70 researchers and support staff.  Research will encompass the growing protein-design landscape with computational, experimental, applied and hybrid projects.

 

The vision and mission of the CPD are to accelerate protein design by developing a deeper understanding of sequence-to-structure/function relationships in proteins; and to train the next generation of protein scientists to apply protein-design approaches and methods to a diverse array of fundamental and real-world challenges. 

 

CPD research will be broadly organised into three themes: Programmable De Novo Protein Design, aimed at improving methods for protein design by combining rational, physics-based and AI-based approaches; Contextualised Protein Design, that is, designing proteins that are fit for purpose such as working directly and optimally in cells, chemical reactors, etc; and Biodesign for Sustainability and Healthcare, for instance working with biotech and industry to deliver synthetic proteins to address real-world challenges and needs.

 

More specifically, some of the CPD’s cross-disciplinary research programmes will include: the de novo design of cell-penetrating peptides and proteins to target subcellular processes; the de novo design of protein-based conformational switches, and dynamic energy-transducing systems; and the design of de novo enzymes to catalyse reactions not performed by natural enzymes.

 

Further information on the CPD: cpd.ku.dk.

 

What we are looking for:  If you are interested in a multidisciplinary approach to protein design, we encourage you to apply for these founding postdoctoral positions.  Primarily, we are seeking scientists with backgrounds and PhDs in the biological, chemical, physical, engineering, and computational sciences.  However, we will consider postdoctoral applicants from other disciplines who demonstrate a clear passion for pursuing careers in any aspect of the burgeoning field of protein design.  We are particularly interested in applications from people with backgrounds in computational or experimental protein science, high-throughput measurement technology, or with hybrid backgrounds that combine these.  Prior experience of de novo protein design is not a requirement, but it would be an advantage.

 

These first positions would most likely be associated with the group of Professor Dek Woolfson who has relocated to Copenhagen to be the Center’s first Director.  Professor Woolfson’s research interests include: designing cell-penetrating peptides to augment and intervene in natural biological processes (DOI: 10.1038/s41589-022-01076-6);  combining rational and computational design to deliver completely new protein structures (DOI: /10.1038/s41589-024-01642-0); designing small-molecule-binding sites into de novo protein scaffolds (DOI: 10.1101/2025.06.30.662286); and designing de novo functional materials for applications in cell biology (DOI: 10.1038/s41557-023-01321-y). More details can be found here: https://woolfsonlab.wordpress.com/.   We are also keen to receive applications from enthusiastic and talented individuals with wider interests in protein design, as the CPD will  be establishing several new research groups and areas over the next 2 years, and is looking for individuals with potential to take a leading part in this process.  

 

What we can offer:  The CPD is an ambitious project.  It will be housed in completely redesigned offices and laboratory spaces on the North Campus at the University of Copenhagen.  These will offer state-of-the-art computational and experimental facilities to enable the very best protein-design research.  The CPD will regularly host world-leading protein designers and protein scientists.  It will also collaborate widely with regional and international experts.  This will bring together wide and complementary expertise in all aspects of protein design to advance the field and to apply protein design in wider contexts such as fundamental cell biology, medicine, biotech, and industry.   Overall, the aim is to create and foster a highly collaborative, inclusive, and productive research environment that values the contributions and opinions of all its employees.  Lastly, and importantly, these people, facilities, and environments will help provide the best training for CPD students and postdoctoral workers.

 

The postdoc’s duties will include research within protein design as well as some relevant teaching in departments associated with the CPD.  The post may also include performance of other duties, such as day-to-day supervision of PhD students, and overseeing te training on and use of specialist equipment in the CPD.      

 

Terms of employment

The position is covered by the Memorandum on Job Structure for Academic Staff.

Terms of appointment and payment accord to the agreement between the Ministry of Finance and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State.

Negotiation for salary supplement is possible.

The application, in English, must be submitted electronically by clicking APPLY NOW below.

 

The positions are open from 1 March 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter.

 

The University wishes our staff to reflect the diversity of society and thus welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background.

 

 

Please include only:

• A 2-page (maximum) curriculum vitae.
• A complete publication list, including your specific contributions to each
• A cover letter (maximum 2 pages) describing your experience and motivation for joining the CPD, research topics you would like to work on during your postdoc, and future career goals.
• Diplomas (Master’s and/or PhD degree or equivalent). If you do not yet have a PhD diploma, please stating your expected PhD completion date in the cover letter.
• No other documents are required and will not be accepted at this stage.

 

Contacts:  For general enquiries, please contact Center PA, Michala Yun-Joo Schlichtkrull, micsc@bio.ku.dk

 

The deadline for applications is: 24 November 2025 at 23:59 GMT+1.

 

After the expiry of the deadline for applications, the authorized recruitment manager selects applicants for assessment on the advice of the Interview Committee.

 

You can read about the recruitment process at https://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/.

 

Interview dates: Between early December 2025 and late January 2026.