Postdoctoral fellowship in the biochemistry of marine luminescence

The Department of Biology invites applicants for a 29-month postdoctoral fellowship. The project is part of the project “Marine bioluminescence: How and why” supported by the Independent Research Fund Denmark

Starting date is 1 March 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter.

Project background and you mission
More than 60% of marine animals display bioluminescence, testifying to its biological importance. Nevertheless, both the function and the fundamental biochemistry of this trait remain largely obscure. Many unrelated marine species use the compound coelenterazine (a luciferin) to produce light via enzymes, known as luciferases. Despite being recognized as a luciferin since the 1970s and being used in several commercially important luciferase systems, essentially nothing is known about the biosynthesis of coelenterazine or its cellular metabolism in any species.

We are interested in understanding bioluminescence using the comb jelly Mnemiopsis leidyi (also known as the sea walnut) as a model organism. This animal is highly abundant in Danish waters, strongly luminescent, and is known to produce coelenterazine for light emission. The project, supported by the Independent Research Fund Denmark, will fund three postdocs working as a team on different aspects of bioluminescence in Mnemiopsis. Besides the biochemist we seek here, the team will include a marine cell biologist/physiologist at the Department of Biology, UCPH, and a molecular ecologist/biological oceanographer at the National Institute of Aquatic Resources, DTU, who will investigate environmental and evolutionary aspects.

Who are we looking for?
We seek a postdoc to conduct biochemical research to understand the biosynthesis of coelenterazine. Your work will focus on investigating this biosynthetic pathway for coelenterazine in Mnemiopsis and possibly in related species. The research will begin with hypothesized pathway components (expressed in E. coli) but will also include classical exploratory experiments to identify chemical reactions relevant for the formation of this important metabolite using Mnemiopsis extracts.

The postdoc will collaborate closely with cell biologists working on the cellular localization and metabolic regulation of coelenterazine in the jellyfish, as well as with researchers applying bioinformatics and targeted gene knock-out strains with common garden experiments. The project has established external collaborations, including proteomics on Mnemiopsis (Nørregaard-Jensen group, University of Southern Denmark) and partnerships with biophysicists and crystallographers (Marek group, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic).

Thus, candidates must be able to work both independently and as part of a team, and should possess strong social skills and good communication abilities in English. This is an interdisciplinary project and demands strong interest in working across disciplines and engage with researchers outside the own area of expertise. The postdoc’s duties will include research as well as teaching and supervision of Master’s and PhD students.

The group, section and department: What do we offer?

• A strong, friendly, and ambitious project team comprising several excellent groups in the Department of Biology, with broad national and international collaborations.
• Excellent research infrastructure and technical support.
• Highly relevant research at the crossroads of biochemistry, molecular biology, cellular signaling, physiology, ecology and genetics, providing a solid foundation for your future career.
• A strong and active postdoc organization and a vibrant scientific and social environment at the Department of Biology and the Faculty of Science, located in Copenhagen.

Further information on the Department is linked at www.bio.ku.dk. Inquiries about the position can be made to Jakob R. Winther, jrwinther@bio.ku.dk

The position is open from 1 March 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter.

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 for position" below.

Please include

• Motivation for your interest in the project
• Curriculum vitae
• Diplomas (Master and PhD degree or equivalent)
• Complete publication list

The deadline for applications is 30 November 2025, 23:59 CET

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/.

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